Higher Education Policy Update: Federal and State Priorities for Student Affairs Professionals
Diana Ali
Director of Policy Research and Advocacy
NASPA
Diana Ali is currently the director of policy research and advocacy at NASPA. Diana analyzes emerging policy issues at state and federal levels, creates tools for student affairs professionals to understand and respond to these issues, and organizes and supports NASPA advocacy and civic engagement efforts. Since moving to the area, Diana has been a non-profit advocate and is currently a mental health group facilitator in the Chicagoland community. She served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two years and graduated with a Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Jill Dunlap, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President of of Research, Policy, and Civic Engagement
NASPA
Dr. Jill Dunlap serves s the assistant vice president for policy at NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Prior to joining NASPA, Jill worked closely with college student survivors of sexual violence for more than 14 years at three different campuses. In 2014, Jill served as a non-federal negotiator representing four years of public institutions on the VAWA negotiated rulemaking committee. Jill received her Ph.D. in political science and public administration from Northern Illinois University, where her dissertation work focused on the experiences of students impacted by sexual violence on campus.
Many of the issues occupying the minds of public policymakers around the United States are directly related to the day-to-day work of student affairs professionals. The presenters will provide a broad overview of the federal and state policy landscape, focusing on issues that align with the NASPA Public Policy Agenda. Information will be provided on financial aid, costs, and student debt; sexual assault prevention and response; mental health; political attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including policies related to restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus and efforts to limit gender-affirming care; and campus free speech.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explain current public policy conversations at the federal and state levels pertaining to student affairs.
- Identify the specific ways that Student Affairs professionals can collaborate to respond to state and federal legislation.
- Locate resources for additional information to stay updated with salient issues.
