Stephanie Bannister serves as the assistant vice president with the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation. Prior to joining NASPA, Stephanie served Kansas State University (K-State) in a variety of roles–most recently as the assistant vice provost for student success. Stephanie joined the K-State division of student life with housing and dining services in 2001. Previously, she served as associate director for student living in housing, directed two residence halls at the University of Kansas, and traveled nationwide as a consultant for Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity. Stephanie has a B.A. from Fort Hays State University, an M.S. from the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in education from K-State. With a career spanning two decades, she has served as a consultant for higher education and non-profit agencies on a range of topics from strategic planning to community building and leadership development. Stephanie is a graduate teaching faculty member in the College of Education at K-State and is active in the greater Manhattan community.

A first-generation advocate and ally, Stephanie resides in the great state of Kansas with her husband, the Honorable Grant D. Bannister, chief judge for Kansas' 21st Judicial District, and is the proud mother of Sydney, William, and Grace.

Mary Fugate (she/her/hers) serves as director of research and data analytics with the Center for First-generation Student Success. Mary joined the Center for First-generation Student Success in 2020 from NASPA Advisory Services where she served as assistant director. Prior to joining NASPA, Mary served as the assistant director of Institutional Research at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. A data and research enthusiast, Mary is passionate about empowering others to proficiently interpret and utilize data and research for continuous improvement and promotion of student success.

Mary earned a B.A. in sociology from Hofstra University, an M.S. in sociology from Utah State University, and a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Toledo.

Ashley Kulland (she/her/hers) serves as a research and data associate with the Center for First-generation Student Success. Ashley joined the Center for First-generation Student Success in 2021. Prior to joining NASPA, Ashley served as the senior institutional research coordinator at Mayville State University and the coordinator of assessment and education programs at Concordia College in Moorhead. As an efficiency and research enthusiast, Ashley strives to promote ethical and purposeful data decision-making for immediate and long-term campus improvements.

Ashley earned a B.S. in psychology from the University of North Dakota and an M.S. in experimental psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ashley is currently working toward her Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in institutional effectiveness from North Dakota State University.

Martina Martin serves as director of expert guidance with the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and The Suder Foundation. Prior to joining NASPA, Martina served as associate director for the University of Kentucky’s student community resources and services and as the program director for first-generation student services and off-campus student services. For over a decade, Martina assisted in developing university-wide first-generation initiatives focused on recruitment, retention, and career and professional development.

 
Martina is a proud first-generation college graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, where she earned a B.S. in physical education, an M.S. in physical education-sports administration, an M.A. in human services-student personnel services in higher education, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy studies. Martina resides in Georgetown, Kentucky with her husband, Ricky Stone, Jr.