Region IV-E
Region IV-E
Region IV-East is dedicated to serving the needs of NASPA members in what would broadly be described as Upper Midwest/Great Lakes region. Our goal is to provide members with a forum to address regional issues while providing specialized professional development and networking opportunities.
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2023-2025 RD Candidates Forum
Michele Soliz, Vice President for Student Affairs at Indiana State University
Lamar Hylton, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at Kent State University
Message from the Regional Director
Greetings from Chicago, Illinois, and thank you for visiting the webpage of NASPA IV-E, the region where NASPA was founded. What an honor for me to serve as regional director, placing the needs and concerns of our portion of the Mighty Midwest first. In accepting the nomination to serve, I committed to being a Regional Director and leading a team that seeks to serve our members with transparency, a commitment to care, and giving the assurance that we will commit to doing what we can to enhance the professional development experiences for all members.
I commit to ensuring that this organization is one that serves all, regardless of title, level of seniority, or institution type. We commit to providing members with regular communication regarding regional business, opportunities for collaboration, enhanced professional development both at conferences and beyond, and investment in the future of our profession. This is not a time to be complacent. This moment calls for leaders who will work collaboratively to take their positions of advocacy and support seriously. As you serve the students of our future, we commit to serving you. We by no means are a perfect board, but we are a committed board, for such a time as this!
We are delighted to serve you!
About
The field of student affairs has roots in Region IV-E, as NASPA was founded in 1918 at the University of Wisconsin. As the birthplace of the profession, Region IV-East is steeped in tradition and has a rich history of paving the way as innovators of promising practices in higher education.
The region is committeed to advancing our field. Learn more about who we are, our goals, strategic priorities, and past & present regional directors and regional conferences below.
Regions provide an opportunity for NASPA members to connect with each other on a local level that’s unique to the organization. Region IV-E is the organizational vehicle to accomplish NASPA's mission within the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes region. We are committed to fulfilling NASPA's mission through professionally relevant and personally meaningful activities, programs and resources.
Region IV-East encompasses the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota; and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Our goals include:
- Increasing communication and connectivity with one another.
- Providing enriched opportunities for learning and cultivating professional development activities to meet the needs of our profession.
- Building a greater sense of community and providing a home for our members.
- Ensuring that national initiatives inform our regional activities and our ongoing growth, development, and contributions as student affairs professionals are demonstrated through our actions.
Regional activities are provided through conferences, workshops, publications, technology, networks and other opportunities that promote personal and professional learning and colleagiallity. All of which are designed to include progressive and purposeful practices that promote organizational effectiveness and student learning and development.
Simultaneously, Region IV-E leadership strives to provide professional enrichment opportunities that ensure and renew our ability to work well by providing colleagueship that transcends our individual positions.
Strategic Priorities
- Deliver vibrant and diverse professional development to serve the breadth of needs and opportunities within our region.
- Assess existing professional development opportunities to determine scope of service and identify gaps along a variety of criteria (professional level served, institutional type relevancy, geography, etc.)
- Expand efforts to ensure regional professional development is accessible and affordable, leveraging technology where appropriate.
- Actively seek collaborative partnerships with relevant professional organizations to serve the professional development needs of both.
- Develop resources and strategies for deploying both adaptive and timely responses to emergent issues within the region.
- Develop and implement a data-driven approach to recruitment, support, and engagement of our constituencies (corporate partners, individual members, member institutions, non-profit partners).
- Conduct an asset mapping process to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as related to membership engagement.
- Create feedback mechanisms to better understand membership perceptions about NASPA IV-E for those who both choose be involved and not (first-time attendees, faculty, mid-level professionals, etc.).
- Develop membership recruitment and engagement strategies, leveraging both the resources available via the NASPA Central office, and the state membership coordinators.
- Develop and implement a communication strategy for the IV-E membership.
- Identify gaps between the needs of U.S. college and university members and Canadian college and university members and how NASPA Region IV-E can serve both.
- Establish a long-term strategic resource direction that is both comprehensive and flexible, and aligns with the NASPA strategic plan.
- Establish measures to guide and enhance the viability of our annual regional conferences
- Design a strategic and sound ten-year financial plan for the region.
- Develop a comprehensive regional operations calendar designed to help direct the business of the region.
- Document guiding philosophies and expectations regarding the onboarding, training, development, off-boarding of regional board members.
- Actively champion and create spaces, resources, and programs for professionals in underrepresented communities, in all functional areas, and at all stages of their career.
- Conduct an intentional assessment of the cost (time, resources) of being an active member of our region.
- Conduct a power analysis of key processes and procedures of NASPA IV-E, and evolve same to be inclusive and equitable for the full membership.
- Identify and adopt strategies to ensure executive leadership positions of our advisory board will be representative of our diverse membership and students.
- Create transparent and open communication and planning strategies designed to include multiple voices and perspectives, and to enhance transparency of regional decision-making processes.
- Provide specific professional development opportunities for professionals from equity seeking groups at intentional moments in their career (entry, mid-level, seeking executive positions, etc.)
NASPA IV-E Regional Vice President/Director
As Region IV-E
- 2021-2023: Bernard Little, Dean of Students, Waubonsee Community College
- 2019-2021: Danita Brown Young, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2017-2019: Julie Payne-Kirchmeier, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Chief of Staff for Student Affairs, Northwestern University
- 2015-2017: Kimberlie Goldsberry, Vice President and Dean of Students, Carthage College
- 2013-2015: Peggy Burke, Associate Vice President for Student Development, DePaul University
- 2011-2013: Renee Romano, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 2009-2011: Les Cook, Vice President for Student Affairs, Michigan Technological University
- 2007-2009: Levester Johnson (L.J.), Vice President of Student Affairs, Butler University
- 2005-2007: Tom Crady, Dean of Students, Grinnell College
- 2003-2005: Mary Desler, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Northwestern University
- 2001-2003: Barb Jones, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- 2000-2001: Dick McKaig, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Indiana University
- 1996-2000: Theresa A. Powell, Vice President for Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
- 1995-1996: Daniel C. Robinson, Professor of Higher Education, Iowa State University
- 1993-1995: Carmen Witte, Dean of Students, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- 1991-1993: Daniel C. Robinson, Professor of Higher Education, Iowa State University
- 1989-1991: Richard Bredemeier, Vice President for Student Life, Kent State University
- 1987-1989: Joan M. Claar, Dean of Students, DePauw University
- 1985-1987: Harvey Welch, Jr., Vice President for Student Affairs, Southern Illinois University
- 1983-1985: Thomas B. Theilen, Vice President for Student Affairs, Iowa State University
- 1981-1983: Henry Johnson, Vice President for Student Services, University of Michigan
- 1979-1981: Stanley B. Escott, Dean of Students, Manchester College
- 1977-1979: Stanley R. Levy, Associate Vice Chancellor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 1974-1977: Donald A. Adams, Vice President for Student Life, Drake University
- 1971-1974: William R. Nester, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, University of Cincinnati
- 1970-1971: Thomas Schreck, Dean of Students, Indiana University
As Region V
- 1969-1970: Robert F. Etheridge, Vice President for Student Affairs, Miami University of Ohio
- 1968-1969: John Truitt, Vice President for Student Affairs, Indiana State University
- 1967-1968: Robert F. Etheridge, Vice President for Student Affairs, Miami University of Ohio
Regional Conferences
November 6-8, 2022 (Region IV-West & East Joint Conference)
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Theme: TBD
- Conference Chair(s): Lamar Hylton, Kent State University & Thomas Lane, Kansas State University
November 7-9, 2021
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Theme: Rise Up: Tapping Into Our Reservoir of Courage
- Conference Chair(s): Michael Allensworth, Michigan State University & Laura Knudson, University of Minnesota
November 1-3, 2020 (Region IV-West & East Joint Conference) *Conference postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic*
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Theme: W/Envision Our Future
- Conference Chair(s): Michael Anthony, Prairie State University & Thomas Lane, Kansas State University
November 2-5, 2019
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
- Theme: Rooted in Our Values, Advocating for Change
- Conference Chair(s): Tess Barker, University of Michigan-Flint & James Stewart, DePaul University
November 11-13, 2018
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Theme: 100 Years of NASPA
- Conference Chair(s): Nikki Letawsky Shultz, University of Minnesota & Renee Dowdy, Marquette University
November 12-14, 2017
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
- Theme: re:Detroit
- Conference Chair(s): Bernard Little, DePaul University & David Strauss, Wayne State University
November 15-16, 2016 (Region IV-West & East Joint Conference)
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Theme:
- Conference Chair(s): Jim Hoppe, Macalaster College & Shana Meyer, Northeastern University
November 8-10, 2015
- Location: Schaumberg, Illinois
- Theme: Renaissance: A Regional Celebration
- Conference Chair(s): Danita Brown Young, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities & Keith O'Neill, Harper College
November 2-4, 2014
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Theme: The Future of Higher Education: Forging New Paths for Student Affairs
- Conference Chair(s): Kimberlie Goldsberry, Ohio Wesleyan University & Lance Phillips, Ohio State University
November 3-5, 2013
- Location: Skokie, Illinois
- Theme: Courageous Voices: Take a Stand, Make a Choice
- Conference Chair(s): Joianne Smith, Oakton Community College & John Lehman, Michigan Technological University
November 4-6, 2012
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
- Theme: Blurring the Lines: Focusing Together on Student Transformation
- Conference Chair(s): Rob Kelly, Loyola University Chicago
November 2011
- Location: Evanston, Illinois
- Theme: Together: Innovative Practice, Creative Discovery
- Conference Chair(s): Anna Gonzalez, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
November 7-9, 2010
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Theme: Together: Innovative Practice, Creative Discovery
- Conference Chair(s): Lisa Erwin, University of Minnesota Duluth & Connie Gores, Winona State University
November 8-10, 2009
- Location: Lombard, Illinois
- Theme: Changing Times, Enduring Values
- Conference Chair(s): Eileen Sullivan, Elmhurst College
November 2-4, 2008
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Theme: Planting the Seeds for the Future of Student Affairs
- Conference Chair(s): Kory Vitangelli, University of Indianapolis
November 11-13, 2007
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Theme: The Crossroads of Student Affairs, Today's Visions, Tomorrow's Reality
- Conference Chair(s): Suzanne Phillips, Indiana University Bloomington
November 5-7, 2006
- Location: Oak Brook, Illinois
- Theme: A New Day: Challenge, Collaboration, Change
- Conference Chair(s): Brian Hemphill, Northern Illinois University
October 23-25, 2005
- Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
- Theme: Time to Build Innovations in the Architecture of Student Affairs
- Conference Chair(s): Jim Hoppe, Macalaster College
October 31-November 2, 2004
- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Theme: Building a Grand Community
- Conference Chair(s): Todd Holcomb, Iowa State University
November 3-5, 2002
- Location: Skokie, Illinois
- Theme: Navigating in New Times
- Conference Chair(s): Linda Deanna, University of Illinois-Chicago
November 2-4, 2003
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Theme: Gathering by the Water 2003
- Conference Chair(s): Steve McLaughlin, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
November 4-6, 2001
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
- Theme: Rock 'n Roll into the 21st Century: A New Agenda for Student Affairs
- Conference Chair(s): Narbeth Emmanuel, Southern Illiniois University-Edwardsville
February 6-8, 2000
- Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Theme: Student Affairs in the New Millennium: A Field of Dreams
- Conference Chair(s): Tom Hill, Iowa State University
January 31-February 2, 1999
- Location: Oak Brook, Illinois
- Theme: Reflecting on the Past: Looking into the Future
- Conference Chair(s): Robert Gatti, Otterbein College
February 1-3, 1998
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Theme: Crossing Boundaries
- Conference Chair(s): Jerry Price, Drake University
February 1997
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Theme:
- Conference Chair(s):
February 4-6, 1996
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Theme: The Promise of Community: The Ongoing Challenge
- Conference Chair(s): Mary Skorheim, University of Wisconsin-Osh Kosh
February 5-7, 1995
- Location: Dearborn, Michigan
- Theme: Constructing Highways to the Future: A Student Affairs Challenge
- Conference Chair(s): Theresa Powell, Western Michigan University
January 30-February 1, 1994
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Theme: Student Affairs in the 90's: New Realities, New Paradigms
- Conference Chair(s):
January 31-February 2, 1993
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
- Theme: Student Affairs 2000: Changes, Challenges, Choices
- Conference Chair(s): Mary Desler, North Central College
February 2-4, 1992
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Theme: Preserving Our Past While Preparing Our Future
- Conference Chair(s): Paul Parker, Loyola University Chicago
February 3-5, 1991
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Theme: Refocusing Our Vision: Campus as Community
- Conference Chair(s):
February 4-6, 1990
- Location: St. Charles, Illinois
- Theme: Rememberance, Reform, and Renewal
- Conference Chair(s): Bill Riley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
February 3-5, 1989
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Theme: Higher Education at the Crossroads: Setting the Agenda for the '90s
- Conference Chair(s)
November 6-8, 1987 (Region IV-West & East Joint Conference)
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Theme: Joint Venture: We Make a Difference
- Conference Chair(s): Lawrence Pasguini, University of Wisconsin-Osh Kosh & Susanne Gordon, University of Arkansas Fayetteville
February 9-11, 1986
- Location: Bloomingdale, Illinois
- Theme: Individual and Institutional Integrity
- Conference Chair(s)
February 10-12, 1985
- Location: South Bend, Indiana
- Theme: Dimensions of Unity
- Conference Chair(s): Tom Coyne, Margaret Healy
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Advisory Board
The Region IV-East Advisory Board oversees the various operations of the Region as well as representing the state organizations within Region IV-East and coordinating with the Knowledge Communities.
Knowledge Community Representatives
The Region IV-East Knowledge Communities (KCs) Co-Coordinators oversee the various operations of the Knowledge Communities Representatives. Get involved in the KCs by contacting the specific KC Representatives in our region.
Knowledge Community Representatives
Awards
The deadline to submit your award nominations is Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Winners will be notified in September and the presentation of the awards will be at the 2021 NASPA IV-E Regional Conference in November.
Events
One of the best resources available to you is the wide range of professional development opportunities. This list contains both our “Hosted Events,” workshops and webinars that we plan and manage, and some “Related Events,” hosted by the NASPA Central Office or other NASPA Constituent Groups. To see a full listing of NASPA events, please see the Events page.
If you are interested in planning an event for the Region, you must fill out this form. The completed form will be sent to your Regional Director and Regional Treasurer for approval. Once approved, they will connect with the NASPA Central Office and a staff member will reach out to you for training and event set-up.
