Board of Directors

The NASPA Foundation Board has been volunteer driven since its inception in 1973. Board members volunteer their time to serve as ambassadors, solicit gifts, provide strategic oversight, and support foundation programs such as Pillars of the Profession and Channing Briggs Small Grants. Additionally, each NASPA Foundation Board Member commits to joining the Diamond Club and assuming travel and lodging costs for foundation board meetings.

NASPA Foundation Board Member Expectations

Interested in Serving as Foundation Board Member?

The Foundation Board is always seeking nominations for those interested in supporting the fundraising work of the NASPA Foundation. To learn more about becoming a Board member and the application process, please contact the Foundation Board Chair, Sara Mata or Foundation Board Chair-Elect, Ben Williams .  

 

 

Message from the Board Chair

NASPA involvement has been a cornerstone of my professional life, and I am deeply humbled to serve as the Chair of the NASPA Foundation Board. Whether providing a Foundation Access Scholarship, funding for research, or other efforts in support of our members, the Foundation stands ready to meet each and every moment. I am happy to share that the state of the Foundation is strong, and we stand ready to support efforts to elevate, advance, and enhance the work of student affairs in service of NASPA members. If you are a donor, thank you for your investment. If you are interested in getting engaged, please reach out. Let's do some good work and make some good trouble!

Ben Williams - new pic

Benjamin Williams

Associate Dean of Students & Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Trinity University
Foundation Board Chair

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Executive Committee

Ben Williams - new pic

Benjamin Williams

Foundation Board Chair

Associate Dean of Students, Trinity University
Foundation Board Chair

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Sara Mata

Foundation Past Board Chair

Executive Director of Hispanic Initiatives, Wichita State University
Foundation Past Board Chair

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Alex Cabal - Foundation Board headshot

Alex Cabal

Foundation Board Chair-Elect

Assistant Vice President of Community and Belonging, Berklee College of Music
Foundation Board Chair-Elect

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Julie Payne-Kirchmeier Foundation Board

Julie Payne-Kirchmeier

Foundation Board

President & CEO, Edgefield Group, LLC
Foundation Executive Member-at-Large

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Amelia Parnell

President
NASPA

202-265-7500
[email protected]

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Josie Ahlquist Foundation Board

Josie Ahlquist

Foundation Board Member

Digital Engagement Consultant and Executive Strategist
Dr. Josie, Inc.

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Wille Banks_Update_Web

Willie Banks

Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
University of California, Irvine

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Evette Castillo Clark

Foundation Board Member

Founder & President
Northstar Student Affairs Consulting

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Jody Donovan Foundation Board Member

Jody Donovan

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Colorado State University

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Cynthia Evers Foundation board

Cynthia Evers

Vice President for Student Affairs
Howard University

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I've been a NASPA member since 2011 and have been volunteering in different capacities throughout my time in NASPA. Since 2019, I've been serving as one of Region I's Foundation Ambassadors and have enjoyed educating members about the opportunities available to them through the Foundation as well as raising money to hit our goals each year. I have made invaluable friendships and professional connections through NASPA and am thankful I decided to get involved over a decade ago.

Laura Flynn

Foundation Board Member

Director of Orientation and First Year Experience
Brandeis University

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Anna Gonzalez Headshot

Anna Gonzalez

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Washington University in St. Louis
Past Board Chair

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Eric Grospitch

Foundation Board Member,

Senior Advisor for Executive Operations, Higher Education Consultant

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Jenna Hyatt Foundation Board

Jenna Hyatt

Foundation Board

Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students
Washington State University

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Justin Jeffery Foundation Board Member

Justin Jeffery

Foundation Board

Associate Vice President & Dean of Students
Texas A & M University-College Station

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Mylon Kirksy

Foundation Board

Assistant Vice President, Housing Programs and Services
The University of Texas at Austin

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Julian Latshang Foundation Board member

Julián Latshang

Associate Dean of Students
MCPHS University

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Eddie Martinez Foundation Board

Eddie Martinez

Board Member

Associate Dean for Student Affairs/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Suffolk County Community College

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Daniel Maxwell

Foundation Board

Vice President, Student Success and Student Life
University of Houston-Downtown

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Joel Pérez

Owner and Executive Coach
Apoyo Coaching and Consulting

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Tara Singer headshot

Tara Singer

Senior Consultant
Academic Search

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David Strauss_Blog

David Strauss

Foundation Board

Dean of Students
Wayne State University

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Nanette Vega Headshot

Nanette Vega

Assistant Professor and Dean for Community Engagement
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

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Jamie Washington Foundation Board

Jamie Washington

Board Member

President & Founder
Washington Consulting Group

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Past Foundation Board Presidents/Board Chairs

2025-2026 Dr. Sara Mata, Wichita State University    
2024-2025 Dr. Paul Bennion, The College of Idaho    
2022-2024 Dr. Maureen Keefe, Mass Art College of Art and Design  2020-2022 Dr. Les Cook, Montana Technological University
2018 - 2020 Dr. Bette Simmons, County College of Morris, (Retired)  2016 - 2018  Dr. Eugene L. Zdziarski, II, DePaul University, (Retired)
2014-2016  Dr. Frank Ardaiolo, Winthrop University, (Retired) 2012-2014 Dr. Cherry Callahan, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, (Retired)
2010-2012  Dr. Barb Snyder, University of Utah, (Retired) 2008-2010 Dr. Almeda Jacks, Clemson University, (Retired)
2006-2008  Dr. Ed Whipple, Bowling Green State University, (Retired) 2004-2006 Ms. Susan Batchelor Adams, Texas Christian University, (Retired)
2002-2004 Dr. Doris Ching, University of Hawaii, (Retired) 2000-2002 Dr. Margaret Barr, Northwestern University, (Deceased)
1998-2000 Dr. William Thomas, (Deceased) 1996-1998 Dr. David Ambler, University of Kansas, (Retired)
1993-1996 Ms. Judith Chambers, University of the Pacific, (Deceased) 1992-1993 Dr. Dudley Woodard, University of Arizona, (Retired)
1991-1992 Dr. Richard Correnti, Florida International University, (Retired) 1989-1990 Dr. Larry Ebbers, Iowa State University, (Retired)
1988-1989 Dr. Tom Goodale, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, (Deceased) 1987-1988 Ms. Judith Chambers, University of the Pacific, (Deceased)
1986-1987 Dr. Robert Leach, (Deceased) 1985-1986 Dr. Richard Correnti, Florida International University, (Retired)
1984-1985 Dr. Edward Hammond, Fort Hays State University, (Retired) 1983-1984 Dr. Mikell O'Donnell, Ohio State University, (Retired)
1977-1983 Dr. Channing Briggs, (Deceased) 1976-1977 Dr. Jim Rhatigan, Wichita State University, (Deceased)
1975-1976 Dr. James Appleton, University of Redlands, (Retired) 1973-1975 Dr. John Blackburn, Blackburn Educational Technologies, (Deceased)