2027 Annual Conference Focus Area Virtual Information Session: Leveraging the “Business” of Student Affairs
Includes a Live Web Event on 04/10/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
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- Non-member - Free!
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Learning Outcome One: Assess and redesign Student Affairs models for sustainable, student-centered goals
[Mid-Level & Senior-Level]
Key Questions:
● Which current models no longer serve today's students or professionals?
● How do we redesign structures collaboratively with internal campus constituencies and external partners?
● How must we rethink Student Affairs graduate preparation programs?
Learning Outcome Two: Apply change management principles to lead organizational transformation
[All Levels]
Key Questions:
● How do we build team capacity for both the emotional and operational sides of change?
● How can leaders model steadiness and clarity during transition?
● What makes change readiness a teachable leadership skill?
● How do we effectively lead through conflict during periods of transformation?
Learning Outcome Three: Leverage data intelligence and operational insights for strategic decisions
[All Levels]
Key Questions:
● How can collected data drive operational, staffing, and structural decisions?
● What stories does our data tell about impact, gaps, or efficiency opportunities?
● How does data strengthen institutional credibility and resource advocacy?
Danielle Miller-Schuster, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs
Illinois State University
Dr. Danielle Miller-Schuster serves as Associate Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs at Illinois State University, where she provides leadership for division-wide strategic planning and oversees a broad portfolio of programs, services, and facilities that advance the success and well-being of the Redbird community. Her areas of responsibility include Campus Recreation, Career Services, Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality, Health Promotion and Wellness, Student Counseling Services, Student Health Services, and Student Affairs Assessment and Data Analytics, Advancement and Constituent Relations, and Professional Development and Staff Recognition.
A proud three-time Redbird, Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science, her master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration, and her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Foundations from Illinois State. With more than two decades of experience, she is dedicated to cultivating purposeful programs and services that foster growth, retention, belonging, and institutional excellence. Her leadership philosophy centers on nurturing growth through coaching, building connections through collaboration, and cultivating positive environments that empower staff, inspire innovation, and spark curiosity.
Danielle is actively engaged with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), where she recently completed a four-year term on the AVP Steering Committee, co-chaired the 2023 AVP Symposium, and served on the faculty for the 2024 and 2025 New AVP Institute. She is currently contributing to volunteer and engagement efforts for the 2026 Annual Conference in Kansas City and is excited to be a member of the 2027 Conference Leadership Committee.
Danielle lives in Bloomington, Illinois, with her husband, Andy, and their rescue dog, Starlight Louise.
Don Stansberry, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Student Affairs
University of Missouri- Kansas City
Dr. Don Stansberry is a nationally engaged student affairs leader and higher education executive currently serving as Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. With more than two decades of progressive leadership experience across multiple institutions, he has built a career centered on student success, belonging, and social mobility.
Throughout his tenure at institutions including Clayton State University, Old Dominion University, Western Illinois University, Towson University, and Defiance College, Dr. Stansberry has led transformative initiatives that strengthen retention, progression, and graduation outcomes. His leadership emphasizes aligning strategy with care—ensuring that budgets, staffing models, assessment practices, and campus partnerships work cohesively to remove barriers and elevate student achievement.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Stansberry is deeply committed to expanding access and opportunity for underserved and historically marginalized students. His leadership philosophy centers on asking bold questions, challenging assumptions, and helping teams envision what “could be” rather than settling for what has always been.
Known for his energy, creativity, and brand-forward leadership style, Dr. Stansberry brings both strategic vision and authentic connection to his work—championing environments where students, staff, and institutions can thrive.
Dr. Don Stansberry earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Education Specialist Degree from Old Dominion University. He completed his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Education in College Student Personnel at Ohio University
Jeff Brown
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
American University
Jeff Brown currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at American University in Washington D.C. In this role he provides leadership for key departments that support the care and well-being of the student body including the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Accountability and Restorative Practices, the Student Health Center, the Center for Well-Being and Psychological Services and International Student and Scholar Services. He also serves in critical roles with crisis management, threat assessment, student activism support and neighborhood/off campus relations on the AU campus.
Prior to this role, Jeff served for four years as the Dean of Students. In that role he has responsibility for undergraduate and graduate student care, support, and advocacy. He also served as the chief student conduct officer for the University. Jeff had responsibility on the AU campus for inclusion support, neighborhood relations, crisis management and multiple retention initiatives.
Prior to his move to American University seven years ago, he worked at Clemson University for 19 years serving in a variety of capacities, most recently as the Associate Dean of Students where he over saw all orientation and transition programs, parent/family programs and support, the Student Veteran Resource Center, retention programs for underrepresented students and extended orientation programs. He also has extensive experience working in residence life and fraternity and sorority life.
Originally from the Chicago area, Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations & Communications from Bradley University and a Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration from Clemson University. Jeff has held multiple leadership roles with NASPA, ACPA, and NODA. Currently Jeff is serving as the Past-President for NODA after serving as a General Board Member and the Lead Faculty for the Orientation Professionals Institute (OPI) for six years.
Steve Mobley Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Program Director of the Higher Education and Student Affairs Program
Morgan State University
Dr. Steve D. Mobley, Jr.’s scholarship focuses on the contemporary placement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Particularly, his research underscores the understudied facets of HBCU communities including issues surrounding race, social class, and student sexuality. He earned his B.A. in Communication & Culture from Howard University. Upon graduating from Howard, he completed his Master’s in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Mobley, Jr. also has had extensive experience in the fields of Higher Education and Student Affairs. Prior to him beginning his career as an academic, he served as Associate Director of the undergraduate program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. He also held appointments in academic affairs at the University of Maryland and taught courses in The College of Education, Undergraduate Studies, and the Academic Achievement Programs (A TRiO Initiative).
His scholarly work has also garnered national attention. Dr. Mobley, Jr. was named a 2022 Diverse: Issues In Higher Education Emerging Scholar, and a 2021 College Student Educators International (ACPA) Emerging Scholar-Designee Awardee. He is also the recipient of the 2018 Article of the Year Award from the American Educational Research Association’s (AERA) Queer Studies Special Interest Group (SIG), 2019 College Student Educators International (ACPA) Coalition on Men & Masculinities Tracy Davis Emerging Research Award, and the 2019 American College Personnel Association’s (ACPA) Coalition of Sexuality and Gender Identities (CSGI) Research Recognition Award.
Dr. Mobley, Jr.’s scholarship has also been published in Teachers College Record, The Journal of Higher Education, The Journal of Homosexuality, The Urban Review, the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, and the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education.