Region IV-W

Region IV-West encompasses the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming; and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Region IV-West has a long history of wonderful leadership and has built a professional legacy that propels us forward faster into the future because of where we have been. Check back frequently, as we will be adding new categories and of course we are always moving forward, learning and growing.

Chester "Chet" Peters from Kansas State University carved the Region IV-West gavel. Chet retired from Kansas State in 1985 as the Vice President for Student Affairs after 38 years of service to students on that campus. He was the first Region IV-West Vice President, 1967 - 1968. He also served as the President of NASPA from 1971 - 1972.

Like his passion for creating a better environment for students at K-State, Chet also had a passion for wood carving. Like the students with whom he worked, each piece of wood with which he worked was unique. His wood sculptures and carvings are on display throughout the Kansas State campus.

Region IV-West is honored to have this uniquely carved gavel as the "official" gavel for each regional leader to cherish for their two-year term. For many years, Chet also carved a unique gavel for each incoming NASPA President from a piece of wood special to that President.

Dr. Peters will be remembered for being student-centered, compassionate, moral and highly respected. Students and staff members were moved by his warmth, gentle humor and caring attitude. His ability to extend an understanding of the real meaning of goodness as a human quality is his legacy to learning.

Chet Peters will long be remembered as the "father" of Region IV-West, and we have this gavel as constant appreciation of the leadership that he gave to NASPA.

NASPA Region IV-W is excited to continue our support for a Critical Conversations, Spring Event. For campuses and individuals that are seeking support (up to $1700) to provide an on-campus professional development opportunity, the critical conversations committee seeks proposals for a Critical Conversations Spring Event. The committee will review proposals and select a group of finalists to bring to the advisory board for selection. Applications are due Friday, October 2, 2020 and notification of the program selected will be in November!

This opportunity allows the members of the region to provide direction on pressing issues they would like to discuss. The spring event would be an in-person professional development opportunity and we look forward to working with our region to offer a great opportunity, but given current climates - online, or virtual, submissions will be considered.

Members are invited to apply online at: https://bit.ly/NASPA4WCriticalConvo

The NASPA IV-W Travel Assistance Application allows IV-W Advisory Board members to request funding to assist in costs associated with traveling to Regional and National NASPA events. Board members who do not have institutional support will receive first consideration in funding because their attendance is required as part of the expectations of their position. 

Awarding priority is as follows for members of the advisory board:

1. Need
2. Professional Development Opportunity
3. Benefit to the Region

You will be expected to work with a regional representative to coordinate direct payment for travel related expenses. Please be mindful of the deadlines to ensure consideration for your request. 

* *  Travel to Wyoming will be evaluated in 2027 to determine if need / membership exists to host a conference.  Currently, travel to Canada is not included due to low active membership & the inability for many US members to travel internationally.

* This rotation was voted upon by the Region IV-W Board at the fall conference, 2017. Rotation may be adjusted by Board action to add joint conference location, remove states with newly enacted state inequity legislation, or other rationale that may make travel to a location in this order challenging.

Interested in pursuing a graduate degree? Click HERE to see a list of programs in Region IV-W

2020-2021 SERVE Academy Cohort

Alma Hidalgo, Program Manager at the Rudd Foundation. Alma will be mentored by Dr. Sara Mata, Research Associate at the University of Oklahoma.

Michelle Marshall, Student Success Coach at Philander Smith College. Alma will be mentored by Dr. Precious Porras, Assistant Vice Provost, Diversity & Equity and Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Kansas.

Christopher Miofsky, Assistant Director of Student Involvement & Development at Washburn University. Christopher will be mentored by David Adams, Dean of Students at Tulsa Community College.

Haydee Reyes, Multicultural Admissions Counselor at Fort Hays State University. Haydee will be mentored by Dr. Thomasina Ortiz-Gallegos, Vice President for Student Success at Santa Fae Community College.

Kelly Westeen, Director of University Perspectives at the University of Arkansas. Kelly will be mentored by Amy Sellers, Transition Services and Early College Program Coordinator at the University of Kansas Edwards Campus

• Keidron Dotson, Director of Enrollment Services at Tulsa Community College. Keidron will be mentored by Dr. Brad Patterson, Vice President for Student Affairs & Student Success at Henderson State University.
• Dr. Bruce Douglas, Coordinator of Student Engagement at Cloud County Community College. Dr. Douglas will be mentored by John Fincher, Assistant Vice President for Division Operations at the University of Central Arkansas.
• Aaron Flynn, Assistant Director of the Memorial Union Facilities & Operations at the University of North Dakota. Aaron will be mentored by Josh Maples, Assistant Director of Residential Life at Missouri Western State University.
• Hayley Hull, Senior Academic Advisor at Aims Community College. Hayley will be mentored by Kassey Steele, Director of Student Life at Tulsa Community College-Northeast Campus.
• Binaya Joshi, Application Administrator at Creighton University. Binaya will be mentored by Dr. Vince Bowhay, Director of Career Development at Missouri Western State University.
• Chelsea Lairamore, Coordinator of Student Leadership at Arkansas Tech University. Chelsea will be mentored by Danielle Bristow, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Kristeena LaRoue, Associate Director of the Disability Resource Center & the Access Technology Center at Missouri State University. Kristeena will be mentored by Amy Pennington, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students & Title IX Coordinator at Arkansas Tech University.
• Stephanie Martensen, Assistant Director of Counseling Services at Missouri University of Science & Technology. Stephanie will be mentored by Dr. Heather French, Vice President for Student Affairs at St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
• Bobbi Muehlenkamp, Area Director for Learning Commons at Mid-Plains Community College. Bobbi will be mentored by Alyssa Wendel, Academic Advisor at Kansas State University-Polytechnic.
• Dr. Veronika Salazar, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement at Henderson State University. Dr. Salazar will be mentored by Dr. Lois Flagstad, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Affairs at Black Hills State University.
• Shannon Schwaebler, Director of Career Services at Northeastern State University. Shannon will be mentored by Amy Long Schell, Associate Director of the Student Involvement & Leadership Center at the University of Kansas.
• Megan Speck, Student Support Services Manager for the College of Pharmacy at the University of New Mexico. Megan will be mentored by Dr. Precious Porras, Assistant Vice Provost for Diversity & Equity/Director of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Kansas.
• Jennifer Sprague, Executive Assistant to the Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of Kansas. Jennifer will be mentored by Jennifer McDannold, Coordinator of Student Orientation & Transitions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
• Thomas Strahan, Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Arkansas Tech University. Thomas will be mentored by Dr. John Howe, Associate Dean of Students at the University of South Dakota.

• Dr. Evette Allen, Director of the Multicultural Center and Non-Traditional Student Services at Arkansas State University. Dr. Allen will be mentored by Dr. Veronica Riepe, Director of Student Involvement at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• Dalton Brasington, Coordinator of Student Engagement for the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy at the University of Oklahoma. Dalton will be mentored by Ryan Gove, Director of Student Life at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
• Patrick Bussiere, Graduate Assistant for Student Senate at the University of Northern Colorado. Patrick will be mentored by Dr. Thomas Lane, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at Missouri State University.
• Josh Doak, Assistant Director of Student Life at Baker University. Josh will be mentored by Joshua Alvarez, Assistant Director of Support and Safety Assessment at Colorado State University.
• Aubrey Holt, Director of Campus Life at Arkansas Tech University. Aubrey will be mentored by Dr. Cassie Gerhardt, Associate Dean of Students at the University of North Dakota.
• Karina Knutson, Associate Director of Wellness Promotion at the University of North Dakota. Karina will be mentored by Mary Alice Serafini, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Executive Director of the Pat Walker Health Center at the University of Arkansas.
• Chris Lord, Assistant Director of Alcohol and Other Drug Programs at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Chris will be mentored by Dr. Brent Marsh, Vice President for Student Affairs at Rogers State University.
• Bradley Luthe, Assistant Director of Residence Life at Pratt Community College. Bradley will be mentored by Richard Monroe, Coordinator of Campus Life and Leadership at Metropolitan Community College-Blue River.
• Finnley Maier, Graduate Assistant for Fraternity & Sorority Life at North Dakota State University. Finnley will be mentored by Dr. Teresa Clounch, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Title IX Coordinator at Fort Hays State University.
• Stephanie Ross, Academic Advisor for the Trulaske College of Business at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Stephanie will be mentored by Dr. Carrie Petr, Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at Doane University.
• Brian Street, Coordinator of Student Activities at Rogers State University. Brian will be mentored by Charles Keefer, Director of Student and Residence Life at Pratt Community College.
• Dominque Thomas, Student Success Advocate and Experience Facilitator for the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dominque will be mentored by Allan Ford, Title IX Coordinator at Northeastern State University.

• Heather Brake, Assistant Director of Residence Education at Arkansas State University. Heather was mentored by Dr. Keegan Nichols, Vice President for Student Services at Arkansas Tech University.
• Andrew Brown, Assistant Director of the Hansen Leadership Institute at Doane University. Andrew was mentored by Dr. Jerrid Freeman, Vice President for Student Affairs at Northeastern State University.
• Lindelle Fraser, Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs at Arkansas Tech University. Lindelle was mentored by Dr. Lois Flagstad, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Affairs at Black Hills State University.
• Farah Habli, Doctoral Student/Graduate Assistant for the School of Education at Saint Louis University. Farah was mentored by Jennifer McDannold, Enrollment Coordinator at Baptist Health College-Little Rock.
• Joshua Maples, Residence Hall Director at South Dakota State University. Joshua was mentored by Dr. Eric Grospitch, Vice President for Student Life at Washburn University.
• Jesus Melendez, Program Coordinator for Leadership Development at Washington University in St. Louis. Jesus was mentored by David Adams, Director of Student Life at Tulsa Community College.
• Kassey Steele, Director of Student Life at Tulsa Community College. Kassey was mentored by Dr. Shannon Breske, Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia.