NASPA Supporting, Expanding, and Recruiting Volunteer Excellence (SERVE) Academy

The NASPA Supporting, Expanding, and Recruiting Volunteer Excellence (SERVE) Academy is an 18-month program for mid-to-senior level professionals who want to gain knowledge about, and strategies for, enhancing their NASPA leadership and volunteer experiences and fully experiencing their professional association. For the duration of the program, the selected participants, representing the diversity of the NASPA membership, will focus on executive development, mentorship, association management, and volunteer service. Their experience will also include a semi-structured mentoring relationship with a past NASPA Board member.

Potential topics for SERVE participants include:
  • Association Governance and Non-profit Management
  • Association Finance, Strategic Partnerships, and Fundraising
  • Member Services, Member Engagement, and Component Relations
  • Professional Competencies, Content Development, and Online Learning
  • Research and Policy Initiatives and Activities
  • A leadership assessment (e.g., DiSC/Emotional Intelligence/Leading from self, others)
  • Leading with and for your peers
The cohort who completes the NASPA SERVE Academy will be able to:
  • Gain deeper knowledge of association management and NASPA’s role in higher education
  • Expand network of colleagues to collaborate with in leadership and association experience
  • Explore ways to be involved more deeply in NASPA as a member
  • Define leadership for self and how to lead a set of peers
  • Identify individual plans for future volunteer leadership goals
Benefits of Participation
  • In-person orientation and overview at the NASPA Office in Washington, DC, with all expenses covered
  • Registration waived for the 2021 and 2022 NASPA Annual Conferences
  • Mentorship with a past NASPA Board of Director Member
  • Individual opportunities to network with key professionals in the field
  • Recognition in the field as a member of this select group
Questions
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the program, contact Monica Nixon, vice president for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

More Information
NASPA staff explore the importance of SERVE on the Blog.
Hear from past Board Chair Lori White about the program's launch.

Member Spotlight

NASPA has been a professional anchor space for me since the mid 2000’s where I benefited from excellent mentors who helped me navigate the profession early on in my career. I have been working to pay it forward in both informal and formal ways through a variety of volunteer roles within NASPA. These have included roles like Strategies conference committee member, scholarly paper reviewer, knowledge community member, institute faculty, webinar presenter, and more. Currently, I’m serving as the Region V Representative on NASPA’s Public Policy Division and on the Region V Advisory Board. The work I’m most proud of comes in the form of professional dialogue via NASPA’s official podcast, SA Voices from the Field, a show I host and co-produce.

Jill L. Creighton, D.P.A., Ed.M (she/her/hers)

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students / Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Washington State University -- NASPA Region V

I first joined NASPA in 2005, and have enjoyed the rich professional development opportunities the organization offers. Participation in the smaller, more functionally specific conferences (e.g., AVP Institute, Conferences on Student Success, Multicultural Institute) has provided me with a vast amount of learning that I have been able to directly apply to my work at various points in my career. More importantly, it's people who make NASPA what it is, and I look forward to continuing being part of the NASPA community in my career.

Nicole N. Long, PhD

Assistant Vice President, Student Experience and Belonging
University of Delaware -- NASPA Region II

I have been thoroughly enjoying my time serving as the Chief of Staff for the Region II Advisory Board and the Chairperson of the AVP Steering Committee. The relationships I have built with colleagues over the course of my many years in NASPA have been so fulfilling and provided me with countless resources, supports, best practices, and good times! I encourage you to seek out opportunities to take on a volunteer role - there are many - and I think you'll be glad that you did!

Todd M Smith-Bergollo

Senior Associate Dean for Students
Pace University -- NASPA Region II

I first became a member of NASPA in 2013! Through my time with NASPA, I have served as a member of the Orientation, Transition, & Retention KC Leadership team, a NUFP mentor, and most recently as a member of the NASPA Annual Conference – NASPActs Subcommittee. I continue to learn through my professional network and actively engage with NASPA colleagues around the country!

Amber Hoefer

Director, Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement
Central Washington University -- NASPA Region V

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