Strategic, Administrative, Operations, and Executive Advisory Roles Steering Committee

NASPA Strategic, Administrative, Operations, and Executive Advisory Roles Steering Committee

NASPA's Strategic, Administrative, Operations, and Executive Advisory Roles Steering Committee works to ensure that individuals who hold a Chief of Staff, Special Assistant to the VPSA, or a similar role have access to relevant programming during regional and national events.1

The Steering Committee strives to encourage excellence in these senior leadership positions through professional development, knowledge creation and sharing, networking opportunities, and recognition. 

Steering Committee Membership

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Brian Richardson

Member

Senior Advisor to Vice Provost of Student Life
Indiana University-Bloomington

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Lesley-Ann Brown

Member

Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff
Northwestern University

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Melanie Ciotoli

Member

Chief of Staff to the VP and Executive Director, Organizational Excellence
Cornell University

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Carson Lonett

Member

Executive Advisor to VP for Student Affairs
James Madison University

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James Parker

Member

Chief of Staff & Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives
Loyola Marymount University

Jennifer Rau

Member

Assistant Vice President & Ombudsperson
University of Miami

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Pete Smith

Chair

Chief of Staff
University of Massachusetts Amherst

Upcoming Events

Advancement and Fundraising Webinar

Save the Date!
Join us for an engaging conversation hosted by the NASPA Strategic, Administrative, Operations, and Executive Advisory Roles Steering Committee!

When: October 17, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Topic: Advancement and Fundraising

This session is designed for Strategic Principal Advisors to Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) and other senior leaders. Hear from experienced members as they share successful strategies and best practices to enhance your fundraising efforts. Whether you're new to your role or a seasoned professional, you won't want to miss this opportunity to connect with peers and gain valuable insights to elevate your impact!

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The NASPA's Strategic, Administrative, Operations, and Executive Advisory Roles Steering Committee has a listserv that allows student affairs professionals to ask questions, request information, and share effective practices. Sign up using the form below:


1. Administrators who serve in roles that their institutions call "chiefs of staff" are the target audience for this leadership group. Several years ago, NASPA ceased using the term “chief” as part of its nomenclature, including the names of constituent groups. For example, NASPA’s initiatives for the highest ranking student affairs officer on campus now refer to “vice presidents of student affairs” rather than “chief student affairs officers.” Outside of Native American contexts, the term “chief” has been used in offensive and derogatory ways, especially toward Indigenous men. While the phrase “chief of staff” may currently be most accessible to you and others in similar roles, NASPA will not use this phrase in the naming of the new leadership group designed to support those serving in these roles.