Amal leads a significant sector of the co-curricular experience at AUC. Through facilitating and guiding the activities conducted by more than 60 student organizations, she continuously works to provide an ecosystem that is nurturing to experiential learning. Her role is to advise and mentor student leaders of the AUC student government (Student Union, Student Senate and Student Court, Graduate Student Association), academic major associations and clubs, both directly and through a team of professional advisors with substantial experience in student activities and development.  Moreover, she facilitates and supports the articulation of student organizations' mandates and plans through events and activities via leading a capable events management team and sustaining the contribution of strategic partners.

Her support of the student journey at AUC starts as early as the new student orientation since she spearheads the Orientation Steering Committee, coordinating the execution of four orientation programs planned for new students (First Year, Graduate, International and Arabic Language Institute students). Amal has the prime responsibility of planning the First Year Experience Orientation for new under-graduate degree-seeking students by leading the First Year Experience Program. She and her team collaborate with the Academy of Liberal Arts to furnish new students with the tools that would help them navigate college life successfully via a well-planned year-long program with clear learning outcomes.

She also takes prime responsibility for the management of the health insurance plan for Egyptian students and oversees the process of issuing military letters to support AUC students' participation in international events to represent AUC.

Along her twenty-six years of experience in higher education; 15 at AUC and 11 at the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt, Amal's journey has been marked with strategizing, creating synergies and creative partnerships as well as problem-solving through collaboration with the goal of attaining high quality experience and services. She takes it as an objective to partake in achieving AUC's strategic objectives of civic engagement and student engagement both nationally and internationally.

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.

Dr. Ryan Travia has worked at the intersection of student affairs and college health for over 20 years. He is the inaugural associate vice president (AVP) for student success at Babson College, having previously served as Babson’s first associate dean of students for wellness. As AVP for student success, Travia provides leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive portfolio that includes accessibility services; the campus assessment, response, and evaluation (CARE) team; counseling and psychological services; first-generation student success; health services; student advising and success; and wellness and prevention services. Prior to joining the Babson community in 2015, Travia spent a decade at Harvard University as the founding director of the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services and founding director of the Department of Health Promotion and Education. He previously led the alcohol and drug education program at Dartmouth College.

Travia has written and presented extensively on framing and measuring well-being in a higher education context and is a frequent presenter and sought-after consultant. He currently serves on the International Advisory Board for Student Affairs at the Universidad de Monterrey. Travia holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and elementary education/moderate special needs and a master’s degree in educational administration, both from Boston College, as well as a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Thaddeus Mantaro serves as the dean of student health and wellness at Dallas College, where he leads efforts to enhance student well-being through integrated health services, counseling, and wellness programs. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, he has developed collaborative and holistic approaches to advancing student success. He has played a pivotal role in the integration of services at Dallas College, resulting in improvements in retention and mental health outcomes.

A counselor by training, Mantaro holds a PhD in higher education from Texas Tech University, where he studied well-being and leadership in higher education. He has led national and regional initiatives aimed at improving mental health, substance abuse prevention, and overall student wellness. An active member of several professional associations, including NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the American College Health Association, Mantaro is the founder of the DFW Health Promotion Collaborative, the Community College Health Coalition, and the Basic Needs Task Force. His work is informed by a deep commitment to creating environments in which students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

Ms. Diana Bryan brings over two decades of expertise in Housing and Facilities Management, with extensive experience spanning Barbados and the UK. As Head of Student Housing at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, she combines her leadership role with her work as a part-time tutor and lead subject matter expert in Facilities Management at the UWI Global Campus.

Ms. Bryan’s academic background includes a Master’s degree in Facility and Environment Management, and she actively contributes to campus safety and well-being through her service on the UWI Health & Safety Committee, the Institute of Gender Academic Board, and the Barbados Building Standards & Codes board. Passionate about promoting wellness and resilience, she is a certified CrossFit coach and founder of Simply Fitness Studio.

Kevin Snaggs is a hospitality and higher education student services professional with over 30 years of management experience.  A lifelong member of the UWI community, Kevin holds an EMBA from the UWI Arthur Lok Jack School of Business and a BSc in Hotel Management from the UWI, Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management. 

A national of Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin holds two positions at the St. Augustine Campus: Manager of the Office of Student Accommodation and the Residence Manager of the Arthur Lewis Hall of Residence, the largest hall on the campus.  Kevin also sits on the board Company: St. Augustine Campus Enterprise Company; a limited liability company created at the University of the West Indies for the Commercialization of St. Augustine campus assets.  When not at work; Kevin enjoys running and gym life. He also enjoys traveling along with planning international travel for family and friends.

Omneya Badr, an educator and student affairs professional, gained a culturally diverse experience studying, teaching, and working in Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, UK and the USA. Omneya is a longtime NASPA volunteer. She was the director of MENASA NASPA area 2022-2024, the 2021 and 2022 MENASA Conference chair, member of NASPA's International Symposium Committee and the International Education Knowledge Community (IEKC). She is a frequent presenter at NASPA conferences and her research interests are culturally based Academic Advising, supporting First-generation students, FYE, and cross-cultural communication. She holds an MBA from the University of Bath – UK, a Certificate of Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operation from the Academy of Arts, California - USA, and a BA in Management from the American University in Cairo - Egypt. She recently acquired a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida - USA. As an educator, Omneya enjoys giving back to the profession and is interested in creating professional development opportunities and encouraging Student Affairs Professionals to research and share knowledge among counterparts around the world.

Géraldine Dufour a leading expert on student mental health and university wellbeing, with over 20 years of transformative work in higher education. As Chair of the European Association for International Education's Student and Alumni Services Committee and former Head of Counselling at the University of Cambridge, she shapes policy and practice across the sector. An Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex, she has chaired multiple national committees and co-founded pioneering research groups in student mental health. Géraldine provides specialist consultancy and training to higher education institutions worldwide, helping them develop evidence-based approaches to student wellbeing. More information can be found on her website: https://www.geraldinedufour.com/

Kristy Robinson, M.S.W., SFHEA, UKCP Reg. is a mental health practitioner and higher education leader with over a decade of experience across the United States and the United Kingdom. Her work focuses on developing inclusive, trauma-informed student support services and advancing institutional approaches to student wellbeing. Currently Co-Head of Student Support and Residential Life/Student Support Development Lead at the University of Westminster, Kristyleads policy development and strategic enhancement of Student Support and Residential Life services. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she is also a Trustee of the University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN). Her practice is grounded in cultural humility, social justice, and ethical leadership.

Paul was a first generation student who became a student affairs professional as a result of participation in events and student government. After working in various educational settings after graduation he started his higher education staff experience working with international students, and has subsequently held a number of management roles. He became Head of Student Advice and Safeguarding support at the University of the Arts, London in 2016. He became an Executive Committee member of AMOSSHE, The Student Services Organisation in July 2023.

Dr. Edward F. Martinez is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Campus Senior Student Affairs Officer at Suffolk County Community College, the largest multi-campus community college in the SUNY system. With 30 years of experience across diverse higher education settings, Dr. Martinez is a nationally recognized leader committed to bridging academic and student affairs to create transformative learning environments. A first-generation college graduate, his research focuses on the experiences of community college students and professionals. Dr. Martinez has served in national leadership roles, including on the NASPA Board of Directors and currently serves on the boards of the NASPA Foundation and The Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification. A SUNY Hispanic Leadership Fellow and recipient of NASPA’s prestigious “Pillar of the Profession” award, he is also the founder and principal of Level Up Consulting and Strategies, LLC, helping individuals and institutions elevate student success through inclusive excellence, coaching, and strategy.

Mayra Olivares-Urueta, PhD is the Senior Director of Postsecondary Student Success at the Economic Mobility Center (EMC), where she leads cross-sector regional strategies across North Texas to increase postsecondary enrollment and completion for recent high school graduates and returning adult learners. Her work convenes K–12 systems, higher education institutions, and community organizations to align outreach, advising, and wraparound supports, with a strong emphasis on data-informed and equity-driven practice. Dr. Olivares-Urueta brings more than 20 years of experience across community college leadership, student affairs, enrollment management, and postsecondary access. She has served in senior executive roles at Tarrant County College and Dallas College, overseeing comprehensive student success portfolios and large-scale initiatives focused on access, basic needs, and completion. She has also taught graduate-level courses in higher education and student development and has an extensive record of scholarship and practitioner-focused publications. She has been actively engaged with NASPA as a presenter, proposal reviewer, and contributor across multiple annual conferences and Community Colleges Institutes. Her NASPA-related work centers on community colleges, equity-minded leadership, student basic needs, and supporting Latinx and parenting students through systems-level change.

Dr. Jhenai Chandler is the Vice President of Research and Policy at NASPA, where she leads efforts to advance student success and equity through research-based policy. She previously served as Senior Director of College Completion Policy at TICAS and has held leadership roles at Education Strategy Group and within Florida’s higher education systems. A first-generation college graduate and former parenting student, Chandler is committed to expanding access and support for diverse learners. She holds degrees from Florida A&M University, Nova Southeastern University, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University.

Dr. Amelia Parnell is an accomplished higher education executive and an internationally recognized thought leader regarding current issues and emerging trends in the field. She is a passionate advocate for higher education as a tool for personal advancement and impact, and she seeks opportunities to partner with organizations and individuals who share her sincere commitment to centering students' needs.

In her prior role as vice president for research and policy for NASPA, Dr. Parnell led many of the association's scholarly and advocacy-focused activities and fostered partnerships with college administrators, researchers, grant makers, and other higher education professionals.

As a frequent keynote speaker at national and regional conferences, Amelia presents on topics related to higher education, student affairs, college affordability, student learning outcomes, and institutions' use of data and analytics. She has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and PBS NewsHour.

Amelia recently completed four years of service on the Board of Directors for EDUCAUSE, where she was Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee and the Audit Committee. She is also the past chair of the Higher Education Equity Network (HEEN), a collective impact network representing more than 25 organizations at the forefront of addressing racial equity in higher education.

Amelia enjoys opportunities to teach, and she is energized by making complex concepts easy to understand. She has had enriching engagements with students and peers as an adjunct instructor and lecturer and she is the author of the book, You Are a Data Person, which she wrote to encourage all higher education professionals to discover and embrace their unique data identity.

Amelia holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Florida A & M University.

Guiding Qatar University's International Affairs Office, my role capitalizes on expertise in accreditation and policy formulation to enhance educational standards. The dedication to continuous improvement in educational assessment and adult education has been a cornerstone of our strategy to elevate the university's global standing. At the helm of transformative initiatives, such as the Articulation agreement with CCQ and the Credit Waiver table, our team has significantly advanced the prospects for students from diverse educational backgrounds. With fluency in English, French, and Arabic, I navigate international collaborations that enrich the academic environment and foster sustainable development goals.

Miriam is the Director of Academic Advising and Student Success at Northwestern University in Qatar. Before this role, she was the Senior Academic Adviser at the American University in Dubai, where she gained extensive experience in academic advising and academic and student affairs.

Throughout her career, Miriam has held various academic positions across Lebanon and the GCC, advising diverse students in engineering, business, international relations, and media studies. She has successfully led a team of advisors and contributed to numerous academic committees focused on curriculum and quality enhancement.

Miriam’s expertise lies in multitasking, mentoring, researching, and implementing best practices to create a culture of student engagement. She is skilled in developing student-centered strategies, conducting data analysis and reporting, enhancing student retention and success, and supporting first-year student experiences and accreditation processes.

In her teaching career, Miriam has instructed finance, management, accounting, and mathematics courses, and has published research papers on academic advising.

Her passion for data analysis led her to complete three certificates in data analysis and reporting in 2021. More recently, she has completed a postgraduate program in AI and Machine Learning at the California Institute of Technology, further expanding her knowledge and expertise in cutting-edge technologies.

Recognized for her dedication, she was nominated for NASPA’s Dedicated Professional Award in 2021.

Miriam earned her MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance with distinction from the Lebanese American University in 2002 and 2005, respectively.

She currently serves as the Communication Team Lead for MENASA NASPA, where she continues to contribute to the field of student affairs and higher education.

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.

Dr. Liliana "Lili" Rodríguez serves as Vice President and Managing Director of Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A), a division of Kelly Services, Inc. and premier executive search firm that's been helping educational institutions and related nonprofits find transformational leaders for over two decades. What sets Lili apart is her rare combination of psychological expertise, hands-on administrative experience, and genuine passion for the work. She thinks strategically about organizational culture, leadership dynamics, and what it really takes to drive meaningful change in higher education—with an approach that's both evidence-based and deeply human. Before joining GA&A, Lili held executive roles at some of the nation's most respected institutions. As Vice Chancellor of Campus Life at the University of Denver, she oversaw 20 critical departments spanning all aspects of student life. At Swarthmore College, she served as Associate Dean and completely reimagined student engagement and residential life. At Keeling & Associates, LLC, she led the executive search practice as Vice President and Senior Consultant while helping institutions implement sustainable organizational change. Throughout her career, Lili has built a reputation as a passionate student advocate who understands that great educational leadership isn't just about credentials—it's about vision, values, and the ability to inspire real transformation. This commitment earned her the NASPA Region IV James J. Rhatigan Outstanding Dean Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to students, the student affairs profession, and higher education leadership. Dr. Rodríguez holds a PhD and MS in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and maintains an executive coaching certification with a focus in Positive Psychology. 

Ebenezer Boakye is a doctoral student in the College Student Affairs Administration (CSAA) program at the University of Georgia, where he also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student Representative. In these roles, he supports graduate student transition, teaching, advising, practicum coordination, and program operations within student affairs preparation programs.

Originally from Ghana, Ebenezer brings a strong global and comparative lens to his work in higher education. His scholarly interests focus on international and graduate student success, student well-being, basic needs insecurity, mentorship, academic advising, culturally responsive student affairs practice, and higher education policies. His work is grounded in equity-oriented and global frameworks that center belonging, compassion, and holistic student development.

As a practitioner, Ebenezer has worked closely with both undergraduates and graduate and international students through administration, teaching, orientation, advising, and student support initiatives. His practice emphasizes holistic well-being, transition support, mentoring, and culturally responsive engagement—particularly for students navigating academic, social, and institutional challenges in U.S. higher education. He is especially committed to translating research and policies into practical strategies that student affairs professionals can use to foster belonging, resilience, and success throughout the academic year.

Ebenezer holds a Master’s degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University, a Master of Philosophy in Arts Education (Religion and Human Values), and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He is actively engaged in professional associations including NASPA, ACPA, and ASHE, with particular involvement in global and international initiatives.

Paul was a first generation student who became a student affairs professional as a result of participation in events and student government. After working in various educational settings after graduation he started his higher education staff experience working with international students, and has subsequently held a number of management roles. He became Head of Student Advice and Safeguarding support at the University of the Arts, London in 2016. He became an Executive Committee member of AMOSSHE, The Student Services Organisation in July 2023.

Dr. Kerrie Montgomery Orozco boasts a 25-year career in higher education, specializing in international education, student programming, strategic planning, leadership, and teaching. She's held progressively responsible roles in academic advising, study abroad, and campus life at various institutions. Kerrie is also an accomplished writer, with publications in the peer-reviewed Journal of International Students. 

Kerrie has been an active member of NASPA for more than 20 years. She has held a number of volunteer leadership roles and currently serves as Professional Development Chair for the Global Division, Membership & Engagement Chair for the Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee, and NASPA-FL Conference Chair. She is a past Chair for the International Symposium, and remains active on the planning committee for the 2024 International Symposium.

Kerrie holds a BA in Classical Studies, dual Masters degrees from the University of Florida in Art History and Higher Education, and a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Denver.

Omneya Badr, an educator and student affairs professional, gained a culturally diverse experience studying, teaching, and working in Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, UK and the USA. Omneya is a longtime NASPA volunteer. She was the director of MENASA NASPA area 2022-2024, the 2021 and 2022 MENASA Conference chair, member of NASPA's International Symposium Committee and the International Education Knowledge Community (IEKC). She is a frequent presenter at NASPA conferences and her research interests are culturally based Academic Advising, supporting First-generation students, FYE, and cross-cultural communication. She holds an MBA from the University of Bath – UK, a Certificate of Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operation from the Academy of Arts, California - USA, and a BA in Management from the American University in Cairo - Egypt. She recently acquired a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida - USA. As an educator, Omneya enjoys giving back to the profession and is interested in creating professional development opportunities and encouraging Student Affairs Professionals to research and share knowledge among counterparts around the world.