Nick serves as Director of the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground at Boston University, where he leads initiatives focused on student belonging, identity development, and access to academic and career success. Guided by Howard Thurman's call for self-discovery and purpose, his work centers on empowering students and fostering inclusive campus communities.

A leader in equity, organizational culture, and staff development, Nick has contributed to university-wide efforts to strengthen workplace culture, advance equity initiatives, and build innovative partnerships across campus. He is also a founding member of the Patriot League Anti-Racism Commission and has played a key role in professional development efforts through The Placement Exchange (TPE), supporting workforce sustainability and leadership development in student affairs.

Nick is passionate about mentorship, leadership, and creating pathways for others to thrive in higher education and the student affairs profession.

Benjamin Williams (He/Him) serves as the Associate Dean of Students & Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Trinity University where we has broad oversight of student engagement and supports crisis and care work. His career has been strategic, intentional, and somewhat unorthodox. He’s worked across multiple areas ranging from orientation & family programs, conduct, care, activities, fundraising and student unions in progressive roles that provides a broad understanding of the student lifecycle and transferable skills. He completed his bachelor and doctorate from Georgia State University and masters from Miami of Ohio. 

Dr. Fran’Cee Brown-McClure serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at Prairie View A&M University, where she provides executive leadership for the programs, services, and experiences that support students beyond the classroom. She brings more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience across public and private institutions, research universities, liberal arts colleges, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Prior to joining Prairie View A&M, Dr. Brown-McClure served as Associate Vice Chancellor & Dean of Students at Louisiana State University. Her career also includes service as Vice President for Student Affairs at Jackson State University, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Union College, Dean of Students at Spelman College, and Associate Dean of Residential Education at Stanford University. Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening the student experience, developing campus communities, supporting student well-being and success, and building strong connections between academic and student affairs.

Dr. Brown-McClure is also an experienced speaker and facilitator whose work has addressed leadership, student success, Greek life, emotional intelligence, cross-generational workplace relationships, and the experiences of women in leadership.

Dr. Brown-McClure earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The University of Texas at Austin, Master of Social Work from Boston University, and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Jackson State University. At the heart of Dr. Brown-McClure’s work is a belief in the transformative power of higher education and in creating environments where students can feel a sense of belonging, discover their potential, develop as leaders, and thrive both during college and beyond.

Dr. Jayla Moody Marshall (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education and the Interim Program Coordinator of the Higher Education Administration Program at North Carolina Central University. Her scholarship centers purpose development among marginalized college students, investigating how institutional structures shape their journeys through higher education and influence their opportunities to thrive during and after college. Through critical, qualitative inquiry, she investigates how care, joy, and community function as tools for transformation. Her research also explores institutional practices in graduate education, including mentorship and holistic student development.

Jayla completed her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development at North Carolina State University in Spring 2025, where she was selected as the College of Education Graduate Student Speaker for the Spring 2025 Commencement. During her doctoral journey, she was also recognized with the 2021 Provost Fellowship and the 2024 Chancellor's Creating Community Outstanding Student Award. Dr. Moody Marshall's expertise is complemented by her background as a storyteller. She believes in the power of storytelling to drive change and writes at the intersection of justice and transformative practice. Drawing on her experience in program coordination, admissions, and student advising across undergraduate and graduate education, she leverages narratives to build higher education environments where students are seen, valued and empowered.

Sonja Ardoin, PhD, is a learner, educator, speaker, and author. Proud of her rural hometown of Vidrine, Louisiana, her working-class, Cajun roots, and her first-generation college student to PhD journey, Sonja earned degrees from LSU, Florida State, and NC State. A dedicated scholar-practitioner, Sonja spent a decade as a student affairs administrator before transitioning to the faculty in 2015. She currently serves as a professor of higher education and student affairs at Clemson University. Sonja studies social class identity, rurality, first-generation college students, and career preparation and pathways in higher education and student affairs. She has published over 70 scholarly works (including 7 books!) and provided over 200 keynote and scholarly talks for over 100 different organizations. She stays engaged in the broader field through ACPA, AFLV, ASHE, FirstGen Forward, LeaderShape, NASPA, SACSA, and several journal editorial boards.

Maria del Pilar Murguia was born in Bolivia and raised across Italy and Colombia! Her multicultural life experience allowed her to learn firsthand the challenges that living in different countries entails!  With a business background, Pilar started working in International Higher education since June 2003 at John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. The focus of her work at JCU was and is to establish and maintain an environment that supports learning, encourages a strong sense of community, and promotes student development through active engagement in university life. 

Pilar currently directly supervises the areas of Athletics, Outdoor Education Programs, Performing Arts, Student Activities and Trips, and Student Leadership Programs (OL, OSA, Student Clubs). She is part of the board of the Crisis Management Team of her University, as well as the University strategic planning committee.

Pilar is a certified Student Leadership Challenge practitioner, and her continued interest in intercultural leadership makes her curious about all new trends in the field. She is an active member AACUPI, NASPA, EUCA among other associations.

Ms. Wadad Youssef El Housseini started her career as in higher education as Instructor of Social Sciences at Balamand University in Lebanon where she taught for a decade. In 2001, she joined the American University of Beirut as Director of Student Activities. In 2009, she joined Qatar University as Consultant to VP of student affairs where she resumed the responsibility of Acting Director of Student Activities till May 2012. Her role entitled her to get involved in various strategic initiatives to ensure the success of Qatar University students. She is the chair of the Student Affairs Professional Development committee at Qatar University.

Founding member and former vice president for the IASAS (International Association of Student Affairs and Services). Member of the MENASA-NASPA board for 2020-2023. Recipient of the Wisdom Award of the Commission of Women’s Identities – ACPA in 2021. Interested in Leadership of Higher Education and Student Affairs, assessment and women role in higher education.

Well known for having her finger on the pulse of the region, Wadad continues to be an engaged advocate of professional development, and student affairs leadership in the Middle East.

Cory Owen is the Associate Dean of Student Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer in residence at Schwarzman College.  Cory has served in numerous student affairs roles across a variety of educational institutions over the past 20 years, including as the Dean of Students of Yale-NUS College in Singapore, and in student-facing roles at The Juilliard School, Rice University, and Semester at Sea.  Cory is from the U.S. and has been based in Singapore for the past six years. She holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration & Supervision from the University of Houston.

Ahmed Osman is an accomplished higher education executive and student affairs leader with more than 22 years of progressive experience advancing student success, leadership development, and institutional engagement within The City University of New York (CUNY).

As University Student & Residence Life Director within CUNY’s Central Office of Student Affairs, Ahmed provides strategic leadership across student life, orientation, residence life, and student leadership development. His work focuses on creating integrated student experiences that foster belonging, engagement, leadership capacity, and student success.
Ahmed provides strategic oversight of the Ernesto Malave Leadership Academy, where he has developed and implemented leadership development initiatives that prepare students to serve as effective leaders, advocates, and change agents within CUNY and their communities. His approach to leadership emphasizes civic engagement, advocacy, global citizenship, inclusion, and the development of the whole student.

A respected voice in higher education and student affairs, Ahmed presented at national and international conferences, including NASPA and the European Conference for Student Affairs and Services. He also serves on the NASPA International Symposium Planning Committee, contributing to conversations and initiatives that advance student affairs practice in an increasingly global higher education environment.

Ahmed holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College, The City University of New York. As an S+EI Certified Coach, he brings an additional dimension of coaching and leadership development to his work, supporting individuals and emerging leaders in reaching their professional and personal potential.
His leadership philosophy is grounded in student-centered practice, strategic collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, community engagement, and a commitment to empowering individuals and communities to create meaningful and sustainable change.

Gian Luca is a lawyer registered with the Italian bar association. He has been on the board of directors of Collegio Universitario Internazionale di Roma (CUIR) since 1992, advocating for the integration of life skills in the academic curricula and working for national recognition of University Colleges of Merit (Collegi di Merito) to foster academic excellence in Italy. Recognising the added value of internationalization in higher education, Gian Luca promoted the creation of the European University College Association (EucA) in 2006, and he has been its president ever since. During his tenure with EucA, Gian Luca has pursued the association’s growth, and official recognition by European Union institutions of University Colleges’ role in providing a holistic education for students that strengthens their development and employability. While at EucA, he has overseen the creation and management of European research projects, namely Modernising Higher Education through Soft Skills Accreditation (MODES). He is a keen supporter of NASPA -Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, with which he has collaborated since 2012 in the organization of International Events, and he is a co-author of the volume "Supporting Students globally in Higher Education", published in 2016 by NASPA.

When not engaging with EucA projects and students in Brussels, Rome or other European cities, Gian Luca is an enthusiastic promoter of “made in Italy” products: be it Italian fashion, cuisine or wines, he persuasively argues-as any lawyer does-the advantages of buying Italian goods.

Annie Henning-Yount (she/her) is a mid-level professional and Online Programs Specialist at Southeast Missouri State University. As a life-ling learner, her career has spanned a broad range of institutions and functional areas. She has supported efforts within higher education-student affairs professional associations for the last five years in both committee and leadership roles in NASPA and TPE. Annie's volunteerism in these associations intertwines her interests in found community and programming with academic interests in organizational theory and career development. 

Tania Velazquez is a student affairs administrator with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across four-year universities and community colleges. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Student Services at Suffolk County Community College, where she provides leadership for Counseling, Advisement, Career Services, Transfer Services, and mentoring initiatives serving more than 11,000 students. She also serves as College-Wide Director of Career Services, leading strategy across three campuses to advance career readiness, employer engagement, and workforce development. A mission-driven and inclusive leader, Tania has extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, program development, and equity-centered practice, with a particular commitment to improving outcomes for first-generation, Latinx, and historically underrepresented students.

Tania is an active contributor to the student affairs profession through national presentations, publications, mentorship, and professional service. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the NASPA Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee and previously served as Chief of Staff for the NASPA Community College Division and Chair of the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with the NASPA Mena Valdez Community College Award, among other honors. A bilingual professional in English and Spanish, Tania brings a culturally responsive approach to leadership and student development and is deeply committed to advancing equity, representation, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership in higher education. She holds a Master of Social Work from Stony Brook University, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and an Associate in Arts from Suffolk County Community College.

Dr. Alonzo O’Shae Ross is a proud mid-level student affairs leader currently serving as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director for First-Year and Family Experience Programs at Indiana University Bloomington. A dedicated first-generation college graduate, Dr. Ross brings extensive expertise in student development, retention strategy, and community engagement to his work, designing transformative campus programming that fosters community and long-term academic success. Beyond his administrative leadership at IU Bloomington, he active supports K-12 and postsecondary pathways as a board member and committee chair for the Indiana Math and Science Academy, and frequently presents at national conferences on leadership, personal branding, and the evolving student experience.

Brittany Heims is Assistant Dean of Academic Operations at Loyola University New Orleans' College of Business, where she oversees accreditation efforts, academic operations, and student success initiatives, ensuring systems and processes across the college run smoothly and efficiently. She also continues to serve as Associate Director of the college’s Portfolio Career Development Program, a role she has held since April 2024, supporting academic advising and career coaching for undergraduate business students. Brittany joined Loyola's College of Business in 2023 and has focused her work on building career-readiness skills, promoting academic best practices, and connecting students to opportunities that prepare them for the workforce or graduate study. Prior to Loyola, she held academic advising and student success roles at Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of New Orleans (now LSU New Orleans), and has also worked as English faculty, a Residence Life Coordinator, and a First-Year Seminar instructor across universities in Louisiana. Brittany holds two Master's Degrees from Northwestern State University in English Literature and Student Affairs in Higher Education, and is currently pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership. She is driven by a passion for student engagement and retention, particularly among first-year and underserved populations, and remains committed to building bridges between students and the resources that help them thrive.