Tania Velazquez is a student affairs administrator with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across both four-year universities and community colleges. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Student Services at Suffolk County Community College, where she provides executive oversight of Counseling, Advisement, Career Services, Transfer Services, and mentoring initiatives serving over 11,000 students. She also holds a concurrent role as College-Wide Director of Career Services, leading strategy and operations across three campuses to advance career readiness, employer engagement, and workforce development. She is an active contributor to the field through national presentations, publications, and professional service. Tania has presented extensively at NASPA conferences and currently serves as Co-Chair of the NASPA Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee. Her previous leadership roles include Chief of Staff for the NASPA Community College Division and Chair of the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. She is also an elected member of the SUNY Community College Leadership Academy.

Eric Jones is a well-known member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a two-time first-generation college graduate, holding degrees in Psychology and Social Work from Clarke University. Since 2019, he's been active in higher education, earning a Master’s in Education with a focus on Educational Policy and Administration from Dakota Wesleyan University. Committed to supporting college students, Mr. Jones prioritizes building rapport, creating opportunities, and leading with integrity. He holds various roles within Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., including National Director of Academic Affairs and Civic Engagement, Assistant Vice President of Program Quality and Impact: Belonging and Inclusion, and Regional Board Academics and Service Chairman. He also serves as the Chapter Counselor for Beta Theta Pi at Washington University in St. Louis. Active with NASPA on several knowledge communities and MLSAC, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Education at Drake University, expected to graduate in December 2026 with a dissertation on African American/Black males at PWIs. His career goal is to become Vice President of Student Affairs. 

Evelyn Ortega, Ed.D. has over 15 years of experience in education, spanning Supplemental Educational Services, GED instruction, private tutoring, and higher education, and is a proud first-generation college student. She earned her Ed.D. from Northeastern University in 2021, where her research examined experiences that positively influence the persistence and retention of Black male college students at minority-serving institutions. She currently serves as Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey and is an active NASPA member, serving as the 2026–2028 Latinx/a/o Task Force Chair for the Community College Division after previously serving as National Co-Chair of the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community from 2022–2024. Her NASPA leadership includes participation in the inaugural 2015 Escaleras Institute cohort, subsequent 2016 and 2018 cohorts, the Region 2 Advisory Board, and the 2023 Region 2 Conference committee. Dr. Ortega is also a proud member of Alpha Rho Lambda Sorority, Inc./Alianza de Raíces Latinas and is passionate about event programming, leadership, and supporting students through a commitment to equity and access.

Sylvia D. Maddox, Ph.D is a higher education professional, student advocate, and first-generation college graduate with more than 20 years of experience serving students and advancing student success. As a first-generation college student herself, Dr. Maddox is passionate about helping first-generation students navigate college, persist toward graduation, and successfully transition from college to career. Dr. Maddox currently serves as the Dean of Students at Spelman College, where she provides leadership in student advocacy, engagement, student conduct, campus life, and student support. Her professional work centers on creating opportunities and supportive environments that help students thrive academically, personally, and professionally. Dr. Maddox earned her Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Jackson State University, where her research focused on The Persistence of First-Generation African American Female Students at Private HBCUs. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management.