Dr. Mariagrazia Melfi has been involved in training and developing soft skills among college students for over 20 years. Communicating, problem solving and working with others are some of her areas of expertise. She is in the Management of the Italian Colleges of Merit and responsible for managing and coordinating the educational project and cultural activities, and is responsible for the selection processes for the admission and retention of students, assisting new graduate and undergraduate students as a mentor and tutor, and is in charge of delivering and returning soft skills assessments. Since May 2019, she has become project officer of Euca (European University College Association). Since March 2022, she has been co-director of the Training of Experts in student affairs and Campus life, initiated by EucA in collaboration with LUMSA University of Rome. She is the Project Officer of international training activities for student affairs professionals and university students. 

Dr. Georges Chedid holds a PhD in neuropsychology and cognitive science from the University of Montreal. He is the Director of the Counseling Center at the American University of Kuwait. Dr. Chedid has a wealth of experience leading teams of counselors and art therapists, and training professional therapists. He showed an impact on the mental health, wellbeing, and academic success of students with disabilities and mental health disorders by providing an array of high-quality services at AUK. He plays a key role in Student Affairs by contributing effectively to the organization of events and workshops at the Art Room. Dr. Chedid is a mindful leader who encourages inclusion and diversity and continually strives to enhance the quality of life for students with disabilities and mental health issues. He effectively manages and supervises the counseling center staff, clinical operations, art and music therapy rooms, budgets, and daily operations.

Mrs. Montero is an accomplished academic professional with over 28 years of experience gained in Education across universities at international level. Her professional Career started as Director of Operations at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where after 9 years, she decided to move back to her home country of Spain (Madrid) and took a position as Director of Operations for Suffolk University, Madrid Campus.  2 and ½ years later, Sara decided to take on a new challenge and moved to the UAE to work for the Abu Dhabi Government as Manager of Student Affairs at ADVETI, Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institutes.  It was in 2019 that Sara decided to move to Dubai and joined the American University in Dubai as Dean of Student Affairs.

Dr. Georges Chedid holds a PhD in neuropsychology and cognitive science from the University of Montreal. He is the Director of the Counseling Center at the American University of Kuwait. Dr. Chedid has a wealth of experience leading teams of counselors and art therapists, and training professional therapists. He showed an impact on the mental health, wellbeing, and academic success of students with disabilities and mental health disorders by providing an array of high-quality services at AUK. He plays a key role in Student Affairs by contributing effectively to the organization of events and workshops at the Art Room. Dr. Chedid is a mindful leader who encourages inclusion and diversity and continually strives to enhance the quality of life for students with disabilities and mental health issues. He effectively manages and supervises the counseling center staff, clinical operations, art and music therapy rooms, budgets, and daily operations.

Since 2014, Omneya Badr holds the position of Senior Academic Advisor at Qatar University and was previously a faculty advisor at NYIT Bahrain. Badr holds an MBA from the University of Bath – UK, a Certificate of Business Operation from the Academy of Arts, California - USA & a BA in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo - Egypt.  In addition, she recently acquired a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida - USA. She gained a culturally diverse experience working for over 20 years in USA, UK, Egypt, Bahrain and Qatar. Badr is a MENASA NASPA advisory board and part of MENASA professional development committee. In 2021, she was leading of the annual conference ‘programing” committee and in 2022, she was the conference co-chair. She held teaching and academic advising positions at NYIT Bahrain, BIBF Bahrain, and Qatar University. She has consultancy and training experience with several Institutions in Bahrain and Qatar. Her research interests include cultural based academic advising, branding higher education, cross-cultural communication, and education as a soft power.

Robert Leary currently serves as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Support and Resources in the Title IX Office at The University of Texas at Austin, where he manages support and accommodations. Robert's prior professional experience includes working in student conduct at UT Austin and residence life at The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York University Abu Dhabi. Robert has received extensive training regarding federal and state policies related to higher education, including Title IX compliance and Clery Security Reporting. Robert received his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas at Austin, M.S.Ed. in Higher Education from The University of Pennsylvania and B.A. in Classics from Ohio University.

Whitney Campbell is the Assistant Director of Support and Resources in the Title IX Office at the University of Texas at Austin. She oversees support and resources case managers in providing resources and accommodations for complainants and respondents involved in the grievance process (including facilitating Title IX Advisor accommodations). Prior to working in Title IX, she worked as one of the advisors in the program. Additional professional experience includes working in student conduct at UT Austin and as a legal department operations manager in a private law firm. Whitney received her B.A. in Sociology from Westmont College.

He recently retired as President Emeritus from Otero College, where he served as only the 5th president. He was relentlessly focused on student engagement, minimizing systematic barriers, equity and inclusion, undergraduate research, career readiness, and mentoring.

Professionally, he provided leadership to the National Association of Student Affairs professionals (NASPA), the Association of Land Grant Universities (APLU), and the broader community. Within NASPA, he has been a regional director, NUFP regional coordinator, state membership coordinator, regional membership coordinator, conference program co-chair, case study judge, program reviewer, and board member for the James Scott Academy.

Tim also enjoys involvement in the community, as evident by his recent participation on the El Pomar Foundation, Koshare Museum Board of Directors, the La Junta School District Advisory Council, and the La Junta Main Street Board.

Dr. Alvarez has been married for thirty-eight years to Lori. They have three grown children: Joshua, Jason, and Tiffany; and 5 grandsons under the age of 4.

Nour Jaber has served as an academic retention advisor from October 2014 until March 2022 when she was promoted to Director of the Academic Advising Center. She has a bachelors degree in Computer Engineering from the American University of Kuwait.

Dr. Georges Chedid holds a PhD in neuropsychology and cognitive science from the University of Montreal. He is the Director of the Counseling Center at the American University of Kuwait. Dr. Chedid has a wealth of experience leading teams of counselors and art therapists, and training professional therapists. He showed an impact on the mental health, wellbeing, and academic success of students with disabilities and mental health disorders by providing an array of high-quality services at AUK. He plays a key role in Student Affairs by contributing effectively to the organization of events and workshops at the Art Room. Dr. Chedid is a mindful leader who encourages inclusion and diversity and continually strives to enhance the quality of life for students with disabilities and mental health issues. He effectively manages and supervises the counseling center staff, clinical operations, art and music therapy rooms, budgets, and daily operations.

Dr. J' currently serves as the Associate Director of the Michigan Research & Discovery Scholars program at the University of Michigan. Dr. J's earned her Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in Health Education, specializing in counseling and wellness in higher education and is a  and is a Certified Dave Ramsey Financial Master Coach. Dr. J' lead at Syracuse University as the Coordinator of Academic Initiatives & Assessment from 2019-2021. Beyond her contribution to higher education, Dr. J' manages her financial coaching business where she coaches individuals on defining and creating their financial peace & health in their personal life.  Dr .J's life mantra is "Accept Help. Give Hope. Welcome Happiness" .

Katherine Bender, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education and the Student Affairs Program Director at Bridgewater State University. Since 2004, Kate has held many positions in a variety of higher education settings. Her professional areas of interest include suicide prevention, mental health in higher education, graduate student wellness, self-care in the helping professions. Dr. Bender has also  presented on the topic of supervision at national, local, and regional conferences and coauthored a book chapter in the textbook Identity in Supervision: Understanding Who Works for You and Who You Work for in Higher Education. 

Amanda Barudin-Carreiro PhD., LMHC, holds a doctorate in exercise and health sciences and is a MA Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She is the administrator of fieldwork and Part Time Faculty member in the Department of Counselor Education at Bridgewater State University. Her past research includes informed consent, exercise and ADHD, the importance of assessment, and best practices for supervision and fieldwork. Dr. Barudin-Carreiro has also  presented on the topic of supervision at national, local, and regional conferences and coauthored a book chapter in the textbook Identity in Supervision: Understanding Who Works for You and Who You Work for in Higher Education

Mel Lafferty is the Re-engagement Coordinator for the Finish What You Started Grant at Colorado State University. Her professional experience spans various roles, including academic advising and coaching, tutoring, disability services, and community engagement. She serves on the Center for Mindfulness leadership team and the Symposium for Inclusive Excellence committee. Her research interests include mindfulness, self-care, and the workplace experiences of student affairs professionals.

A first-generation college graduate, Mel earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership at the University of Northern Colorado, focusing her dissertation on the experiences of mid-level student affairs staff through a photo-narrative approach.