Region VI
Region VI
Values:
Respect • Teamwork • Integrity
Region VI encompasses Arizona, California, Guahan (Guam), and Hawai'i.
Grounded in our commitment to diversity, inclusion, scholarship, and leadership, our mission is to provide innovative professional development opportunities that connect, engage, and inspire current and aspiring student affairs educators to serve, respond to, and advocate for students in our region.
About Region VI
The guiding light centered above the I, radiating out represents our leadership within the region and the organization as a whole. The six flags converge around the guiding light, representing the way we come together as a community and lift each other, but also promote self-reflection. The outer edges of the flags represent the motion of our members – taking action, connecting around the globe, collaborating across geographical locations. The flags combined resemble a figure with its arms spread wide, welcoming any and all to Region VI.
Region VI Facebook Group
Region VI LinkedIn Group
Region VI YouTube
When you give to the NASPA Foundation, you make a difference. Through a tax-deductible contribution to the NASPA Foundation, you invest in innovative research. You provide scholarships for NASPA members of all levels. You advance excellence in our field. You shape the future of the student affairs profession!
History
Region VI History
Region VI Vice Presidents/Regional Directors
Western Regional Conference History
History of Region VI Awardees
Region VI Historical Timeline
Document:
Meet Our Regional Director
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State Chapters - Region VI
Region VI State Chapters
Events
One of the best resources available to you is the wide range of professional development opportunities. This list contains both our regional & sub-regional 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 visit the Events page.
If you're interested in planning an event for the Region, please reach out to the Regional Director.
Region VI Awards
Each year, NASPA Region VI celebrates the achievements and contributions of our members by honoring outstanding individuals and programs with our regional awards.
Thank you for your interest in nominating a colleague/program for an award. Application Deadline is July 24, 2026.
Questions? Contact Marcus A. Rodriguez, Nominations and Awards Chair at [email protected].
Research Grant Awards
Generate research and scholarship that advance evidence-based, emergent, and equitable practices. NASPA will: create and foster interdisciplinary strategic partnerships to advance a data-informed research and practice agenda; invest in and promote a scholar-practitioner identity and mindset within the student affairs profession; develop innovative models to support the creation and recognition of exemplary research and scholarship.
- Overall proposal - clarity, originality and creativity, understanding of student development and learning outcomes, writing style, and the degree to which proposal is based on research literature and theory
- Research design - short description of research project, response to current trends and issues in student affairs, application of theory to practice
- Proposed budget - outline and description of anticipated research expenses. Research award applicants must be current NASPA Region VI members. See application for details. Award recipients will provide an executive summary of research and findings to the Region VI Advisory Board at the end of the award period.
Advisory Board
The Region VI Advisory Board oversees the various operations of the Region as well as representing the state organizations within Region VI and coordinating with the Knowledge Communities.
Get Involved
NASPA Regions are run and supported entirely by the continued hard work and contributions of our volunteers. Region VI 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.
Are you interested in becoming more involved in NASPA?
- Visit Volunteer Central to see all positions posting locally, regionally and nationally
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Volunteering at NASPA Conferences is an excellent way to get involved with the organization. You may also want to consider volunteering at the regional level at large. If you are interested, please get in touch with me at [email protected] as I would be happy to share opportunities to get involved with you. - Katya Armistead, Region VI Advisory Board Volunteer Coordinator
We are looking to highlight Region VI Retirees!
If you are retiring or know of a colleague who is, please let us know so that we can celebrate them! Please share their:
- Name
- Title
- Institution
- Retirement Date
- Post-Retirement Email (if known)
Please contact Dr. Lori Ideta, Historian and Retiree Liaison, at [email protected].
We want to see your photos!
Submit photos from past Region VI events to be featured on the website and possibly in future communications.
Upload here: www.dropbox.com/request/5yavxuynU2LHddqMvtKe
Password (case-sensitive): naspa
KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITIES
Welcome to the Region VI Knowledge Communities (KCs), your gateway to the profession and connection to the association. As the slogan suggests, the KCs are the entry point to NASPA for graduate students or professionals wanting to get involved and take on a leadership role. KC Representatives are also included in the region's KC advisory board to give a collective voice of the association.
There are currently 44 KCs ranging in topics and specific issues currently facing our field. These active communities help to identify and share emerging knowledge and best practices. Each KC can have up to two regional representatives and as many sub-committee representatives as necessary.
Within the Region VI KCs there are a number of ways to get involved:
- Become a Regional Representative for one of our many Knowledge Communities.
- Serve on a committee or be an active member of a KC.
- Click one or more of the KCs on your NASPA profile page and receive emails about upcoming events, or provide input into the programming or information provided by your KC representatives.
- Attend ancillary meetings, have a KC sponsor a presentation, or write an article to our many NASPA publications.
We look forward to working with you!
Pillars
Distinguished Pillars of the Profession
2026 - Henry Gee, Erin Kahunawaikaʻala Wright
2025 - Rameen A. Talesh, Derek Vergara
2024 - Martha Enciso, Christine Quemuel
2023 - Josie Ahlquist, Lea M. Jarnagin
2022 - Willie L. Banks Jr., Joel Perez
2021 - Evette Castillo Clark, Kevin Colaner, Janet Dickerson, Debra Geller, Tonantzin Oseguera
2020 - Jan Minoru Javinar
2019 - Joy L. Hoffman, Kathryn Mueller
2018 - Kandy Mink Salas, Sherry Mallory
2017 - John Hoffman, Brian Haynes, Harry Le Grande, Judy Sakaki, Frank Lamas, Ellen J. Neufeldt
2016 - Lori M. Ideta, Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Kenneth Kelly, Anna M. Ortiz, Wm. Gregory Sawyer
2015 - Melissa Vito, Anna K. Gonzalez
2014 - *
2013 - Peg Blake, Jill Halvaks, Sharyn Slavin Miller
2012 - Marilee Bresciani
2011 - Charlotte Burgess, Penny Rue
2010 - Howard S. Wang
2009 - Susan Hunter Hancock, Robert Naples, Lisa Waits, Thomas C. Shandley
2008 - Renee Barnett Terry, Ronni Sanlo
2007 - James R. Kitchen, Gary Kleeman, Dwight L. Rideout
2006 - Anthony R. Ross, Ronald R. Kopita
2005 - *
2004 - Henry Gee, Michael Jackson, Alvin Tagomori
2003 - Sandra Matsui, Saunie Taylor, Keith Miser, Hazel Scott, Penny Wills
2002 - Amefil Agbayani, Hal Gin, Elizabeth Griego, Alan Yang
2001 - Anne E. Golseth
2000 - Doris M. Ching, Dudley B. Woodard, James Lyons
1999 - Judy Chambers, Jesse Marks, James R. Appleton