Region I

Region I

Region I is dedicated to serving the needs of NASPA members in what would broadly be described as New England and Eastern Canada. Our goal is to provide members with a forum to address regional issues while providing specialized professional development and networking opportunities.

Message from the Director

Dear Region I Family,

I am humble and honored to be your Regional Director for the next two years. NASPA has been my professional home for over 15 years and my involvement regionally has led to many opportunities on the national level. NASPA have given me a network of colleagues and friends that have contributed to my personal and professionally growth and I hope you get to experience that as well.

For the last two years, I have witnessed many of you act with compassion, lead with resilience, and lean on each other as we navigated a world that brought a lot of uncertainty. I am confident that we will continue to be support each other and tackle what comes our way.

As a region, we will continue to change internally to grow externally. We will expand on what has been done in the past, critically look at the present, and focus on how to create a better future for our members.

We need to welcome challenges as educational opportunities. We need to accept our strengths and areas of growth to foster change. Together, we will become a stronger organization.

I encourage all of you to explore the various opportunities NASPA Region I has to offer. From our Knowledge Communities to our signature events such as the UBUNTU Institute, I hope that each of you creates your own path of engagement and involvement with our organization.

If along the way, you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or to members of your Region I Advisory Board. We are excited for what is to come!

 

Alex Cabal (he/him)
Region I Director
Assistant Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion
Berklee College of Music

Advisory Board

The Region I Advisory Board (RAB) is comprised of NASPA members appointed by the Regional Director except State Directors, who are voted by members of the respective states. Member of RAB oversees the various operations of the Region as well as representing the state organizations within Region I and coordinating with the Knowledge Communities, Divisions, and other constituents at the NASPA level. Please reach out to member of the board to learn more about their role.

Get Involved

NASPA Regions are run and supported entirely by the continued hard work and contributions of our volunteers. Region I offers numerous volunteer positions and opportunities for our members to become involved. Whether it’s taking on a leadership role or helping out at a drive-in, there’s something for everyone.

To see all available volunteer opportunities go to Volunteer Central

 

 

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Signature Initiatives

New Professionals Mentoring Institute (NPMI)

In continuing the tradition of providing unique and high quality professional development opportunities, NASPA Region I is proud to offer the 10th Annual New Professional Mentoring Institute (NPMI). The NPMI was launched in the fall of 2008 as a means to provide new, full-time professionals in their first two (2) years in the profession instructional sessions co-facilitated by seasoned student affairs administrators and faculty, as well as mentorship from a mid-level or senior level Student Affairs professional. The program takes place over the course of four sessions.

Mid-Level Institute (MLI)

A Region I signature event, the Mid-Level Institute provides professionals with 5-8 years of professional experience an opportunity to explore the challenges and rewards of leading from the middle.  The cohort based model increases regional connections and offers mentorship from a chief student affairs officer.  The engaging sessions with seasoned student affairs officers, the collegial support, and the time for reflection all make the institute a unique experience. The Institute is scheduled for four days, one day in each of the months of March through June.

Student Affairs Leaders of Tomorrow (SALT)

The Student Affairs Leaders of Tomorrow (SALT) conference is designed to help undergraduate students explore the field of student affairs as a career path. Participants will have the opportunity to meet other student leaders who share their same interests, discover the variety of functional areas available to them, meet professionals in the field who will provide guidance, mentorship and direction, and have a chance to learn about and meet representatives from the various graduate programs in student affairs in our region.

Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Institute

The Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAO) Institute is an opportunity for Chief Student Affairs Officers/Vice-Presidents of Student Affairs to discuss topics and issues relevant to their positions. The Institute includes a dinner on Sunday Night and a half-day of programs on Monday. The topic of the SSAO Institute changes every year.

UBUNTU Institute

The mission of the NASPA Region I Ubuntu Institute is to be a leadership development opportunity designed for student affairs professionals of color. The Institute will inspire emerging professionals, ranging from graduate students through mid-level professionals, to reach their full potential and serve as a pathway to leadership within institutions and associations through a cohort based model. The goals of the institute are to aid participants in navigating the complexity of higher education as professionals of color through the lenses of strength, empowerment, resiliency & authenticity.

New Professionals Mentoring Institute (NPMI) 2023

NASPA Region I is proud to offer the 17th annual New Professionals Mentoring Institute (NPMI). The NPMI was launched in the Fall of 2008 as a means to provide new, full-time professionals in their first few years in the profession with instructional sessions facilitated by seasoned student affairs administrators and faculty, as well as mentorship from a mid- or senior-level Student Affairs professionals.

NPMI participants will learn to:

  • Connect and build meaningful relationships with peers as well as mid-/senior-level student affairs professionals while recognizing the multiple, intersecting identities, perspectives, and developmental differences people hold.
  • Understand how one is affected by and participates in maintaining systems of oppression, privilege, and systems of power in their work.  
  • Understand how effective supervision strategies, as well as the relational roles supervisors, colleagues, allies, and adversaries play into the completion of goals and work assignments.
  • Within the scope of one’s position and expertise, contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the new professional's home institution as well as the profession.
  • Design a professional development plan that assesses one’s current strengths and weaknesses, establishes action items for fostering an appropriate pace of growth and demonstrates an awareness of the skills needed for future leaders in the profession.
  • Identify the challenges associated with balancing personal and professional responsibilities, and recognize the intersection of one’s personal and professional life.
Sessions:

In order to ensure that NPMI provides its participants with an impactful and complete experience, participants are required to attend all 3 in-person sessions, along with the 2 virtual sessions. 

The dates and times are as follows:

  • Virtual Session: Wednesday, October 18 12-1 p.m. VIRTUAL
  • Session #1: Friday, November 3 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Location TBD
  • Session #2: Friday, January 5 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Emmanuel College
  • Virtual Session: Wednesday, February 7 12-1 p.m. VIRTUAL
  • Session #3: Friday, March 15 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fitchburg State University
*We will coordinate possible carpool opportunities with participants. 
 
Participants:
Mentees- New professionals within the first two years of their Student Affairs career
Mentors-  Mid and senior level Student Affairs professionals 
 
Cost to Participate:
Mentees: $200
Mentors: Free
 
Lunch is included at all of the in-person sessions. 
 
Mentor and Mentee application
 
Applications are due by September 10th. Any questions, please email Alyssa [email protected]

State Chapters

Region I State Chapters are led by State Directors who are voted by their respective state members. Each State Director oversees a leadership team that is responsible for content knowledge and programs within their state. Please contact your State Director if you are looking to get involved.

Awards

History

Timeline
Month/Year Event
November 1969 William Swantzbaugh, Dean of Students at Amherst College, becomes first RVP of Region I
November 1976 Region I has 309 Individual Members
November 1981 Region I host regional conference in Easton, Massachusetts - Theme: Making Connections, Sharing Wisdom, Creating Harmonies
November 1993 Registration for the regional conference is $85 - spouses were eligible to come to the conference at a discount rate
March 1986 Sarah Light, VPSA at Westfield State, becomes first female RVP of Region I
January 1989 Sarah Light and Paula Rooney work to bring NASPA Mid-Level Professionals Institute to Region I
May 1990 ACPA and NASPA joined forces to form the Maine Association of Student Affairs Personnel, marketing heavily toward undergraduate students; Region I only region with a Network Coordinator.
August 1990 Membership is 499
September 1990 Andy Matthews is named Region I Liaison to Canadian and International Members in efforts to recruit and increase membership.
May 1991 Placement Conference takes place at Babson College (MA) with 200+ candidates and 50+ positions – giving Regions II and III the idea to host a similar conference.
April 1991 Kathleen Yorkis, Dean of Student Affairs, Bentley College (MA) attends White House Briefing on Fraternities
May 1991 Region I paves the way for opportunities and discussion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual conversation through the GLB Network. ““Region I has much to be proud of. There are a number of regions where gay, lesbian and bisexual are not easily or openly addressed. The network is appreciative of opportunities this region has made available. These include: space in the newsletter, display space at the regional conference, sessions on the conference program, encouragement from regional leadership. The continuation of these opportunities is anticipated.”
May 1991 Membership reaches 587
September 1991 Regional Advisory Board approves formation of a Disability Network for Region I
November 1991 First NEED Award & first state awards were presented
December 1991 Paula Rooney, Vice President of Student Affairs at Babson College (MA), and Region I Past Vice President, announced as a candidate for President-Elect of NASPA.
December 1991 Membership reaches 594 members
January 1992 Region I’s Disability Network approved at the national level
February 1992 Region I teleconference on “Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students” co-sponsored by NASPA & ACPA
September 1992 NH sponsors statewide conference for students of color
December 1992 Region I develops “Discussion Group” on the Internet
January 1993 Membership reaches 622 members
March 1993 NASPA Annual Conference held in Boston, MA celebrating the 75th Anniversary of NASPA
March 1993 Membership reaches 717 members
September 1993 888 members in Region I. The region is flourishing having had hosted the Annual Conference in Boston, picking up an additional 300 members from the conference. ∞
September 1994 Region I Network for Women in Student Affairs co-hosts with Interventions Consulting Group: Women Transforming College Campuses at Worcester State College (MA), facilitated by Peggy Jablonski of Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
July 1994 Began the planning and implementation in partnership with Rochester Institute of Technology to provide a three-day workshop on technology for senior student affairs officers
July 1994 International Education Network Created for the purposes of encouraging professional connections with colleagues in other countries
November 1995 NASPA revised its strategic plan and mission impacting goals and focus of Region I
June 1996 Joint day conference with International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) IACLEA in Springfield, MA
October 1997 Regional drive in conference for new professionals and Graduate Students at Trinity College in Collaboration with NEACUHO
March 1997 Jack Warner of Bristol Community College (MA) in Region I becomes president of NASPA
November 1997 First Silent Auction - Started by Sheila Murphy and Sue Brady
September 1998 NASPA Region I exceeds goals for membership with 121 institutional members and 755 individual memberships
April 2001 Networks officially become "Knowledge Communities"
November 2001 The first "Undergraduate Track" pre-conference is held at the regional conference in Springfield, MA
January 2003 First Mid-level Institute was established to help mid-levels in career development by Dave Zamojski
May 2003 First New England Latino Conference was held
November 2004 Region I has 12 MUFP fellows as a part of the national program
September 2005 Membership reaches 1,121
June 2007 The undergraduate pre-conference in Burlington, VT was renamed Student Affairs Leaders of Tomorrow (SALT)
November 2007 35th anniversary of the Region I conference which featured a band called “Back in Time”
January 2008 Jenn Kosses and Laura De Veau create the New Professionals Mentoring Institute *NPMI) to provide mentoring and professional development to new professionals
March 2008 NASPA's National Conference in held in Boston, MA.
March 2008 Oonagh Holmes from Acadia University serves as Canada Director from 2008-2009
January 2009 New Professionals Mentoring Institute created to provide mentoring and professional development to new professionals by Laura DeVeau & Jenn Kosses
July 2009 NASPA Region I Ireland conference created to establish greater connection amongst members abroad, 40 in attendance.
March 2009 Faculty Summit becomes a part of the Region I Conference
March 2010 Jana Luker became the Canada Director on the Advisory Board Served til 2016
November 2010 Lunch and learn workshops integrated into the Region I conference in Manchester, New Hampshire
June 2011 Region I hosts a Switzerland Conference at Franklin College themed “Integrating Residential Communities in International Environments” is launched to encourage greater discussion across borders, ten different countries were represented
October 2012 Membership reaches 1,593 members
November 2012 The regional conference in Mystic, CT has 541 attendees (first time attendance exceeds 500 members)
March 2013 Brian McCoy (Nichols College) chairs the 2013 National Conference in Orlando, FL
June 2013 NASPA Region I is represented in the Boston Pride Parade - first time NASPA is represented in a parade in its history
April 2013 Candid Conversations program is started at Region I conference in Rockport, Maine
November 2014 Dr. Arthur Chickering is the closing speaker/guest at the regional conference in Newport, RI
April 2016 Mid–level, senior level position added to Region I advisory board
March 2016 Jason Masterson (University College Dublin) is the first European member to join the Regional Advisory Board
November 2016 Region I advisory board offers support for institutions and colleagues given new FLSA requirements
March 2017 Nancy Crimmin (Becker College) chairs the 2017 National Conference in San Antonio, TX
November 2017 The UBUNTU Insitiute host its inagural cohort of 43 participants at the regional confence in Springfield, MA
June 2018 Region I sponsors a conference in Dublin, Ireland - 10 members from the United States attend conference
November 2018 Alex Cabal (Wentworth Institute of Technology) becomes the first Person of Color to chair the regional conference in Providence, RI
November 2018 Attendance for the regional conference in Providence, RI surpasses 600 attendees (first time in region historyI
November 2019 Alana Anderson (Boston University) becomes the first Woman of Color to chair the regional conference in Providence, RI
November 2020 Regional conference is held remotely due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
March 2022 Alex Cabal becomes the first Person of Color to hold the Regional Director position.
November 2022 Sean Thompson (Brown University) becomes the first African American man to chair the regional conference.
Regional Directors
Term First name Last name Position During Term Institution During Term
2022-2014 Alex Cabal Director of Diversity Initiatives and Engagement, College of Arts, Media, and Design Northeastern University
2020-2022 Melinda Stoops Associate Vice President, Student Health and Wellness Boston College
2018-2020 Jen DeBurro Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students University of New England
2016-2018 Beth Moriarty Director of Residence Life Bridgewater State University
2014-2016 Richard DeCapua Associate dean of students Boston College
2012-2014 David Zamojski Assistant Dean of Student & Director of Res. Life Boston University
2010-2012 Nacy Crimmin Dean of Campus Life Assumption College
2008-2010 Pauline Dobrowski Associate Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students Stonehill College
2006-2008 Brian McCoy Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean Of Students Nichols College
2004-2006 Craig Hutchinson Vice President for Student and University Life University of Southern Maine
2002-2004 Cynthia Forrest Dean of Student Services Framingham State College
2000-2002 Karen Haskell Dean of Students Roger Williams University
1998-2000 Sheila Murphy Dean of Student Life Simmons College
1996-1998 Margaret Jablonski Associate Dean for Undergrad. Education and Student Affairs Mass. Institute of Technology
1994-1996 Jack Warner Dean of Students Bristol Community College
1992-1994 Joan LeMoine Dean of Student Affairs Western Connecticut State University
1990-1992 Joyce McPhetres Associate Dean of Students Colby College
1988-1990 Paula Rooney Vice President, Student Affairs Babson College
1986-1988 Sarah Light Vice President, Student Affairs Westfield State College
1984-1986 Kevin Duffy Vice President, Student Affairs Boston College
1982-1984 Thomas Aceto Vice President, Student Affairs University of Maine
1980-1982 Frank Napolitano Asst. Vice President, Student Affairs and Services Universirty of Connecticut
1977-1980 Dennis Golden Vice President, Student Affairs Framingham State College
1976-1977 Richard Wotruba Dean of Students Middlesex Community College
1973-1976 Donald Hardy Vice President, Student Affairs Rhode Island College
1971-1973 Richard Stevens Vice Provost, Student Affairs University of New Hampshire
1970-1971 John Shay, Jr Dean of Students Holy Cross College
1969-1970 William Field Dean of Students University of Mass. Amherst
1968-1969 Gilbert MacDonald Vice President, Student Affairs Northeastern University
1965-1968 William Swartzbaugh Dean of Students Amherst College
Conference Chairs
Conference Year Conference Chair Name Conference Location
2022 Sean Thompson Hartford, CT
2021 Caitie Regan Hartford, CT
2020 Colleen Lubin Virtual Conference
2019 Alana Anderson Providence, RI
2018 Alex Cabal Providence, RI
2107 Dave Golden Springfield, MA
2016 Megan Keeney Buriington, VT
2015 Cameron Smith Manchester, NH
2014 Elissa Carolll Newport, RI
2013 Greg Jones Rockport, ME
2012 Daniel Brown Mystic, CT
2011 Jennifer Michael Sturbridge, MA
2010 Jenn Kosses Manchester, NH
2009 Shawn De Veau Newport, RI
2008 Greg Narleski Hyannis, MA
2007 Phil Bernard Buriington, VT
2006 Rebecca Norwell Portland, ME
2005 Gina Grubb Sturbridge, MA
2004 Richard DeCapua Mystic, CT
2003 Pauline Dobrowski Hyannis, MA
2002 Cheryl Barnard Waterville Valley, NH
2001 Brian McCoy Springfield, MA
2000 Deborah Cady Rockport, ME
1999 Maureen McDermott Manchester, NH
1998 Gary Carskaddan Hartford, CT
1997 Artie Travis Newport, RI
1996 Shelly Masson Springfield, MA
1995 Peter Simonds Hyannis, MA
1994 Mary Anne Ives Buriington, VT
1993 Margaret Jablonski Hartford, CT
1992 Eric Riedel Portland, ME
1991 John King Newport, RI
1990 Eileen Sul Portsmouth, NH
1989   Springfield, MA
1988   Cape Cod, MA
1987   Buriington, VT
1986   Boston, MA
1985   Newport, RI
1984   Hartford, CT
1983   Portland, ME
1982   Cape Cod, MA
1981   Easton, MA
1980   Providence, RI
1979   Boxborough, MA
1978   Northfield, MA
1977   Braintree, MA
1976   Windsor Locks, CT
Pillars of the Profession
Name Institution Year
Michele Murray College of the Holy Cross 2022
Beth Moriarty Higher Education Consultant 2021
Walter Diaz Eastern Connecticut State University 2021
Jim Hope Emerson College 2021
Lawrence P. Ward Babson College 2021
Pauline Dobrowski Stonhill College 2020
Brandi Hephner LaBanc University of Massachusetts Amherst 2020
Maureen Keef Massachusetts College of Art and Design 2020
David Zamojski Boston University 2020
Kenneth Elmore Boston University 2019
Ann Marie Vacarro Rhode Island College 2018
Brian McCoy Nichols College 2018
Nancy Crimmin Becker College 2017
Frank Sanchez Rhode Island College 2017
Ellen Heffernan Spelman Johnson Group 2015
Laura Wankel Northeastern 2015
Delight Champagne Springfield College 2014
Barbara Fienman Suffolk University 2013
Carol Wiggins UConn 2012
Jackie Gribbons University of Vermont 2008
Larry Benedict MIT 2008
Art Jackson Westfield State 2008
Dwight Rideout UMAINE 2007
Margaret Jablonksi Brown 2007
Paula Rooney Dean 2006
Sheila Murphy Simmons 2006
Donald Blumenthal Quinipiac 2005
Kathleen Manning University of Vermont 2005
Cynthia Forest University of New England 2005
Jack Warner Bristol Community College 2004
Evelyn Clements Unknown 2004
Kevin Duffy Boston College 2003
Karen Rigg Northeastern 2003
Don Howard UMass Dartmouth 2003

Strategic Plan

NASPA National Strategic Plan Goals

  • Deliver dynamic, innovative, and timely professional development and volunteer engagement opportunities to build the leadership capacities and effectiveness of student affairs professionals
  • Generate scholarship and disseminate knowledge that supports evidence-based, innovative, inclusive, and socially just student affairs practices
  • Lead public policy and advocacy efforts that shape the changing landscape of student affairs within higher education
  • Provide leadership for student affairs in integrating existing and emerging technologies
  • Develop and promote NASPA’s identity as a global student affairs association