Chrissy Lieberman is the Dean of Students at the University of Arizona. She joined the Dean of Students Office in 2012 as an associate dean overseeing Student Assistance & Accountability and was appointed Dean of Students in Spring 2025 after serving in the role as interim during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Lieberman plays a pivotal leadership role in campus health and safety and fostering an environment that emphasizes community and well-being. In her role, she offers leadership for the campus community in navigating the First Amendment, conflict management, critical incidents, behavioral intervention, student rights and responsibilities, restorative practice, and student well-being. The Dean of Students Office also provides recognition and support for hundreds of student organizations and leadership and engagement opportunities across the university.

A first-generation student and two-time University of Arizona graduate, Lieberman holds a B.A. in Education and an M.A. in Art Education. She is committed to fostering a campus culture where students can excel academically, socially, and personally.

Whitney Platzer O’Regan, Ed.D., serves as the senior director of prevention and safety, under the research, policy and student success team at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Dr. O’Regan received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University where her doctoral research focused on student sense of belonging and engagement through a public health lens. Dr. O’Regan has significant experience working to reduce high risk substance misuse on college campuses with functional area expertise in student affairs, policy, student conduct, crisis response, peer education, and health promotion.

Dr. Betzabel Martinez Bleech has been working with student equity and achievement programs within the California Community Colleges system for the past seven years. She is currently the Director of Student Equity and Success Programs at Citrus Colleges overseeing Black Scholars, Mi Gente Scholars, and Rising Scholars (formerly incarcerated students). In this role she has overseen the writing and implementation of the college’s 2025-2028 Student Equity and Achievement Program Plan, as mandated by the state of California. Previously, she served as the Director of Equity and Inclusion at Cerro Coso Community College. In this role she oversaw the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion focused programs for the following student populations: Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Native American, and Undocumented/Non-Citizen. Furthermore, Dr. Martinez Bleech serves as an adjunct faculty member in the University of La Verne’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership program. Dr. Martinez Bleech has been an active member of NASPA since 2016, and serves as the Region VI Community College Representative. Dr. Martinez Bleech holds a degree in statistical science from UC Santa Barbara, a masters in educational counseling from the University of Southern California, and a doctorate of education from CSU Fullerton.

Letitia Williams, Ph.D. serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at Morgan State University, where she provides strategic leadership for a broad Student Affairs portfolio focused on student success, well-being, engagement, learning and development, and career readiness. An educator and higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Williams has worked across the K–16 educational continuum and in higher education systems in both the United States and the Caribbean. Her career has spanned student and academic affairs, with a focus on strengthening the student experience, closing gaps in support and opportunity, and developing integrated approaches that help students persist, develop, and thrive. Her leadership is informed by experience working across different institutional and national contexts. A former Fulbright Fellow, Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Case Willoughby is a nationally recognized student affairs leader and Vice President for Student Affairs at Brightpoint Community College. Centering his work on student learning and success, he oversees academic advising, admissions, athletics, career services, financial aid, student conduct, and support services. At Butler County Community College, he spearheaded student success efforts that were credited with a doubling of student graduation rates.

His national leadership roles include serving on the NASPA James E. Scott Academy Board and teaching at NASPA’s Institute for New Vice Presidents of Student Affairs. Recognized as an ACPA Diamond Honoree, Case also co-authored the award-winning paper "Crafting a Culture for Student Success" (2020 National Symposium on Student Retention). He holds a Doctorate and Master's in Higher Education from Columbia University, alongside a Master's from NYU. Case resides near Richmond, VA, with his husband and two dogs.

Kim Bock, Ed.D., is the Director of First-Year Experience and Retention at Wartburg College. She has over a decade of experience in higher education, spanning academic advising, student success, first-year experience, and student transitions. Kim began her career as an academic advisor at Edgewood College and later served in leadership roles at St. Cloud State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and Wartburg College.

Kim earned her B.A. in History and M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ed.D. in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs from the University of Northern Iowa. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about helping students feel supported and connected throughout their college experience. Her research and professional interests include first-year experience, retention, advising administration, and leadership development for higher education professionals.

Kevin Willis serves as part of the NASPA Membership Team to provide member support and customer service for NASPA. Kevin previously served in positions on campus in residence life and admissions before coming to NASPA in 2022. 

Gavin earned their Ph.D. in Foundations of Education and Inquiry from the University of South Carolina’s College of Education and completed a graduate certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies. Prior to joining the faculty at Illinois State University, Gavin worked for several years as a university administrator in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina, where they led and supported social justice- and equity-focused initiatives. Earlier in their career, Gavin was an outdoor educator at Princeton University, leading youth in backpacking and other experiential education programs, work that continues to inform their approach to leadership, pedagogy, and community building.

SMF is the NASPA Region 2 Faculty Representative and co-lead for the NASPA Faculty Institute. With over 25 years of professional experience in res life, student life, and academic affairs, his scholarship focuses on mattering, belonging, graduate teaching, and graduate student services. Prior to Villanova, he was a visiting professor and faculty-in-residence at the University of North Texas.  A graduate of the University of Florida and The Ohio State University's HESA programs, he unofficially majored in college at Florida Atlantic University. He is a proud cat dad.

Kerry earned an Ed.D. in Counselor Education, Graduate Certificate in Gender & Women’s Studies, and M.S. in College Student Affairs from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Before joining the faculty, their career included practitioner experience in identity-based centers at private and public institutions, community college counseling, and public university academic advising. Drawing on this broad background, Kerry enjoys supporting students navigate graduate pathways and career progression in student affairs. Their work is rooted in mentorship and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education.

Peter Lake is a professor of law, Charles A. Dana Chair, and the Director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson University College of Law. He has spent 35 years in the classroom teaching law students and served as Stetson’s interim director of Title IX compliance in 2015. He is an internationally-recognized expert on higher education law and policy. He has been quoted or referred to in hundreds of newspapers and court opinions throughout the United States. Professor Lake, an award-winning academic, has authored numerous law review articles, books, and other publications. Professor Lake is a highly sought-after speaker, and he has served as a presenter or keynote speaker at several hundred international, national, regional, and local meetings. He has trained thousands of campus personnel on student safety and other issues, including student mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, Title IX and sex discrimination, Title VI and First Amendment issues. Professor Lake is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School and serves as a Senior Higher Education Consulting Attorney at the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, as a Consultant for the association of Governing Boards, and as a Higher Education Advisor at Windermere Consulting.

Kristine Goodwin has worked in higher education administration for over thirty years—twenty as a senior executive (dean and vice president).  She has supervised hundreds of employees in more than fourteen departments (e.g. public safety and emergency management; personal counseling; health services; career education and professional development; residence life and housing; community standards; and Title IX). Kristine has significant experience adjudicating complaints and policy violations as well as mediating disputes between and among employees (e.g. administrators, staff, and faculty), students, parents, legal representatives, and community organizations.   Kristine recently earned a Juris Doctorate at the University of Massachusetts School of Law and holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Kristine also studied political science and public administration as an undergraduate and worked as a mayoral aide and campaign assistant for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Most recently Kristine co-taught a mediation and alternative dispute resolution workshop at the Stetson Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference. She has conducted independent legal research and has written two 40-page papers on ADR in education, health, and corporate settings.  She has completed 40-hours of mediation training in accordance with M.G.L. ch.233 § 23C with Mediation and Negotiation Services, Consulting and Training (MWI) in Boston, MA; the Intensive Negotiation Workshop at Harvard Law School’s Executive Program on Negotiation (PON); the Massachusetts Center for Legal Education (MCLE) Court Conciliation Training; and CPR Pathways Arbitration Training.  Kristine is currently advancing her practice in collaborative lawyering.

Tania Velazquez is a student affairs administrator with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across both four-year universities and community colleges. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Student Services at Suffolk County Community College, where she provides executive oversight of Counseling, Advisement, Career Services, Transfer Services, and mentoring initiatives serving over 11,000 students. She also holds a concurrent role as College-Wide Director of Career Services, leading strategy and operations across three campuses to advance career readiness, employer engagement, and workforce development. She is an active contributor to the field through national presentations, publications, and professional service. Tania has presented extensively at NASPA conferences and currently serves as Co-Chair of the NASPA Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee. Her previous leadership roles include Chief of Staff for the NASPA Community College Division and Chair of the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. She is also an elected member of the SUNY Community College Leadership Academy.

Eric Jones is a well-known member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a two-time first-generation college graduate, holding degrees in Psychology and Social Work from Clarke University. Since 2019, he's been active in higher education, earning a Master’s in Education with a focus on Educational Policy and Administration from Dakota Wesleyan University. Committed to supporting college students, Mr. Jones prioritizes building rapport, creating opportunities, and leading with integrity. He holds various roles within Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., including National Director of Academic Affairs and Civic Engagement, Assistant Vice President of Program Quality and Impact: Belonging and Inclusion, and Regional Board Academics and Service Chairman. He also serves as the Chapter Counselor for Beta Theta Pi at Washington University in St. Louis. Active with NASPA on several knowledge communities and MLSAC, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at Drake University, expected to graduate in December 2026 with a dissertation on African American/Black males at PWIs. His career goal is to become Vice President of Student Affairs. 

Evelyn Ortega, Ed.D. has over 15 years of experience in education, spanning Supplemental Educational Services, GED instruction, private tutoring, and higher education, and is a proud first-generation college student. She earned her Ed.D. from Northeastern University in 2021, where her research examined experiences that positively influence the persistence and retention of Black male college students at minority-serving institutions. She currently serves as Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey and is an active NASPA member, serving as the 2026–2028 Latinx/a/o Task Force Chair for the Community College Division after previously serving as National Co-Chair of the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community from 2022–2024. Her NASPA leadership includes participation in the inaugural 2015 Escaleras Institute cohort, subsequent 2016 and 2018 cohorts, the Region 2 Advisory Board, and the 2023 Region 2 Conference committee. Dr. Ortega is also a proud member of Alpha Rho Lambda Sorority, Inc./Alianza de Raíces Latinas and is passionate about event programming, leadership, and supporting students through a commitment to equity and access.

Sylvia D. Maddox, Ph.D is a higher education professional, student advocate, and first-generation college graduate with more than 20 years of experience serving students and advancing student success. As a first-generation college student herself, Dr. Maddox is passionate about helping first-generation students navigate college, persist toward graduation, and successfully transition from college to career. Dr. Maddox currently serves as the Dean of Students at Spelman College, where she provides leadership in student advocacy, engagement, student conduct, campus life, and student support. Her professional work centers on creating opportunities and supportive environments that help students thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Dr. Maddox earned her Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Jackson State University, where her research focused on The Persistence of First-Generation African American Female Students at Private HBCUs. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management.

Dana Downey serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at NYU Abu Dhabi, overseeing the Career Development Center and Civic Engagement & Service departments, as well as the assessment and communications portfolios of the Student Affairs division. She has worked in higher education on three continents, seeking to foster cultures of curiosity, impact, and lifelong learning. She aims to connect people with each other and with opportunities, build capacity on teams, and lower barriers to access when it comes to options.

With more than 17 years of experience as a career educator, Maha El Moslemany oversees the development and implementation of the full range of career services and programs at AUC’s Career Center including employer engagement, career advising, and experiential learning. Over time, El Moslemany was a catalyst of change designing and introducing new programs/services to increase the hiring venues of AUC’s Career Center offered to students/alumni and employers to enhance AUC’s employability rates and increase AUCians’ career readiness easing their transition to the world of work.

Her purposeful passion is enabling Millennials and GenZ's to become the best version of their professional selves. She consciously shifted her career from advertising to career education with a focus on coaching, training, capacity building, and enhancing AUCians’ career preparation toolkits. She has been a Career Development Facilitator Instructor (CDFI) since 2010 and has designed and delivered modules of the FCD curriculum to certify Career Service Providers (CSPs) in addition to coaching and mentoring CSPs across Egypt.

Professional affiliations include membership in the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE).

El Moslemany graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication with a double minor in psychology and business administration from AUC.

Malak Elmoh is a Career Services Program Manager in the Office of External Relations at Georgetown University in Qatar. In her previous role as a Student Development Officer in the Office of Student Affairs, she played a key role in designing and implementing student programming, while also mentoring and advising student clubs, the Student Government Association (SGA), and the broader student community. A proud GU-Q alumna, Malak also holds a Master of Public Policy from Hamad bin Khalifa University, where she concentrated on education policy. Her experience extends beyond academia, having worked on high-profile events like the Doha Forum and with Memac Ogilvy's Public Relations team, where she developed a robust network in Doha. In her current role, Malak focuses on supporting students and recent graduates through career coaching and graduate school advising as well as further departmental initiatives such as professional development workshops, employer events and career fairs.