Dr. Jhenai Chandler serves as the Vice President of Research and Policy for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), where she leads efforts to advance student success and equity through research-driven policies. Previously, Dr. Chandler was Senior Director of College Completion Policy at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), where she oversaw the organization’s advocacy and policy strategy aimed at improving college completion rates. Her work focused on enhancing institutional capacity to support student success, collaborating with state and federal policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to promote policies that advance equity in higher education.

Before joining TICAS, Dr. Chandler was a leader of Postsecondary Transitions at Education Strategy Group, where she worked with state and regional policymakers to improve advising practices, early postsecondary opportunities, and mathematics pathways. She also led business development in college and career advising, ensuring that advising systems addressed the holistic needs of all students. As the inaugural Director of the Florida-Caribbean Louis Stokes Regional Center of Excellence, Dr. Chandler conducted research to assess the impact of growth mindset interventions on STEM student success.

Dr. Chandler began her career in advising at Tallahassee Community College, later holding leadership roles within both the Florida College System and the State University System. As a first-generation college graduate and former parenting student, she is deeply committed to improving access to higher education and creating support systems that promote the success of diverse student populations.

Dr. Chandler holds an Associate of Arts degree from Florida A&M University, a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition Sciences, a Master of Science in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Policy from Florida State University.

Dr. Jill Dunlap serves as 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.

Diana Ali is currently the director of policy research and advocacy at NASPA. Through her service at NASPA, Diana provides timely analysis of 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 has 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.