Emily Holmes (she/her) is a student affairs educator and lifelong learner. She currently serves as director of the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement at the University of Southern Mississippi where she directs the co-curricular student engagement experience through student organizations and leadership development. Overseeing close to 200 student organizations, the campus programming board, Golden Eagle Welcome Week and the first-year seminar course, Emily is passionate about student success and the belonging that occurs outside of the classroom. With over fifteen years of student affairs experience, Emily has previously worked in first-year programs, transition programs, new student orientation, and fraternity and sorority life. She has been active in NASPA for many years and most currently serves as a member of the Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee, a group of passionate mid-level professionals who guide and equip NASPA leaders and members with the tools and resources to promote the success of mid-level administrators in their professional roles.

Jeff A. Bates is a student affairs professional who has both lead and served on numerous search committees during his time in the profession. With a focus on intentional hiring practices at the core of his professional and academic experiences, Jeff is committed to bridging the gap between staffing research and student affairs practice. He is a current MBA candidate with a specialization in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources; has served as a Talent Management Subject Matter Expert in the development of the NASPA Student Affairs Certification; has presented on hiring practices at national conferences; and has participated in organizational behavior research on impression management. 

Dr. Tierney J. Bates has established himself as national thought leader, speaker, networker, career coach, innovator, and voice on diversity, equity, inclusion, and GENERATION NOW! He has given over 215 keynote talks, presentations and workshops. With over 20+ years in higher education, he has progressed from entry level to senior level administration providing leadership, vision, and responsibility for strategic initiatives and solutions in student services, diversity & inclusion, career services/workforce development, recruitment, and fundraising. He is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina Upstate and was formerly at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Special Projects & Executive Director and has served in leadership roles at Virginia Union University, North Carolina Central University, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, and Bowling Green State University.

Nick Kehrwald is a 15+ year student affairs professional with a career focused on improving student programs and services using process improvement principles to drive more equitable student success outcomes, including being the inaugural Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Kansas, restructuring the Dean of Students Office at the University of Kentucky, integrating student wellbeing programs and services at USC Upstate, and has collaborating on first-year experience and institutional-level student success efforts at multiple institutions.  Nick’s previous experience include being the Associate Dean of Students and Dean of Students at the University of Kentucky, the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Kansas, and a Student Conduct Coordinator at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas.  Nick has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science from Lehigh University.  Nick is currently a doctoral student in the Educational Innovation and Practice – Systems Improvement program at the University of South Carolina – Columbia. 

Amy Snyder is a 25+ year Student Affairs professional and currently serves as Director of Staff Experience in University Life at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.  Amy’s portfolio includes  UL HR Services, UL Professional Development, UL Central Administration, and divisional initiatives focused on the staff experience, learning and development, and workplace well-being. Amy has also served as Associate Dean of University Life, Director of Special Projects for the VPSA, Assistant Dean/Director of Student Activities,  Director of Orientation and Family Programs and Services, and Interim Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education.  Amy’s leadership work has focused on collaboratively developing more effective student transition and initiation experiences, increasing student engagement and academic success, and creating parent and family engagement and services at George Mason University 20 years ago.

Amy is a first generation college student whose mother was an immigrant educated outside of the U.S system.  Amy understands the challenges students and families face in the transition to college and has made her life’s work to have a positive impact on the student experience in higher education.  Amy Snyder now dedicates her work at Mason to the staff experience and professional development and preparation of graduate students to the field of student affairs and higher education.  She has presented widely on topics including supervision skills and strategies, the multigenerational workforce, creating a professional development cohort program, and the Mason graduate assistant academy.  Through learning and development, personal and professional enrichment and well-being and organizational health, Amy continues to contribute to the success of students and staff after 25 years in the field of student affairs.

Meeghan Milette serves as the Associate Director of Professional Development in University Life at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She provides leadership to divisional professional development initiatives and signature professional development programs coordinated by the Professional Development team. Ms. Milette has a background in professional staff training, building and facilitation of professional learning experiences, collaborative programming, along with supervision and staff management. Milette is committed to enhancing professional staff experiences through her work. Professionally, Milette worked in Housing & Residence Life for over 15 years in various professional roles gaining skills and professional competency in staff management, crisis response, leadership, and training development.

Milette currently serves on the NASPA Mid-Level Administrator Steering Committee and is on the Mid-Level Administrator Conference (MLAC) planning team.

Milette earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a focus in International Relations from the University of Rhode Island. She earned a Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University. She has presented multiple times nationally and regionally on topics that include Supervision Skills and Strategies, Professional Development Design, the Multigenerational Workforce, Graduate Assistant Experience, Second-Year Experience, Inclusive Housing Practices, Leveraging Technology in Collaborative Work Environments, amongst others.

Dana Carnes Pursley (she/her/hers) is a leadership educator committed to developing students who will create change by leading their organizations, communities, and the future. In her 15+ year career, Dana has experience in residence life, leadership development, campus organizations, student government, fraternity and sorority life, civic engagement and service, union management, large-scale programming, and campus traditions. Currently, Dana serves as the Director of the Alford Community Leadership and Involvement Center at Denison University. Prior to Denison, Dana served as the Associate Director of the Center for Leadership at Elon University. Dana's professional interests include organizational development, voter education/registration, hazing prevention, first-gen student support, LGBTQIA+ student support, and assessment. Dana's professional involvement includes ACPA, NACA, NASPA, and NCLP.

Allysa Johnson currently serves as an Assistant Director for Residence Education at Michigan State University. Allysa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early and Middle Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs both from The Ohio State University. Allysa has an in-depth housing background, starting as a Resident Assistant and Assistant Community Director during her time as a student before becoming a live-in Community Director at 2 different types of institutions. 

Allysa is passionate about creating inclusive and supportive supervision practices in and beyond university housing. With a wealth of experience supervising resident assistants, graduate staff, and full-time professionals, she has developed a dynamic approach that moves beyond identity-conscious supervision to actively address systems of oppression impacting supervisee experiences. In addition to her supervisory work, Allysa has played a key role on departmental committees focused on staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum planning, graduate student recruitment, selection, and training, and first-year student success programming. These experiences have shaped her practical, thoughtful approach to leadership and professional development.

Jimmy Hutchful is an experienced academic advisor and student success professional. He currently serves as a TRIO Academic Advisor at Michigan State University, where he supports students with academics and personal goals,  while also overseeing a Peer Mentoring Program of 12 mentors and 58 student participants. His role emphasizes holistic advising, career exploration, and student success initiatives that promote a sense of belonging. 

In addition to his work at Michigan State, Jimmy also served  as a College Success Manager with Thrive Scholars, advising 37 first-year students across multiple institutions. He focuses on academic and socio-emotional support, helping students secure internships and navigate their college journeys. Previously, Jimmy worked as a Residence Director at Michigan State, managing a residence hall and mentoring 12 Resident Assistants. He also served as an Interim Residence Life Coordinator at Eastern Washington University, where he supervised community assistants and led initiatives to improve student retention.

Jimmy's extensive background in higher education includes roles in residential life, academic advising, and student advocacy. He has contributed to various committees and initiatives to enhance student engagement and diversity.

A seasoned executive administrator, Carrie Lovelace Petr holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She trained as a certified professional and executive coach at the ICF-accredited College of Executive Coaching and is recognized as both an Associate Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation a Board-Certified Coach by the Center for Credentialing Education. 

 Carrie has lived her professional career in service to higher education staff, students and faculty. Prior to founding her full-time coaching practice, Carrie served as senior student affairs officer at two institutions; throughout her career in higher education she has supervised all traditional areas in the field of student affairs.  Outside of the student affairs arena, Carrie has enjoyed work as a faculty member, academic adviser and academic administrator.  Of note for clients interested in their own professional growth, Carrie was the founding director of the Zenon CR Hansen Minor in Leadership Studies at Doane University and has practiced leadership development and higher education administration for more than 25 years. Partnering with long-time professionals and aspiring leaders to help them thrive and nurture their talents is her passion.  

 Beyond her professional life, Carrie is an avid reader and enjoys biking, craft cocktails, and storytelling.  She and her husband of 25 years share a college-age daughter and Felix, the most adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel in the universe. 

Dr. Marcella Runell, Vice President for Student Life Dean of Students, and Lecturer in Religion at Mount Holyoke College, is a social justice educator and author recognized nationally for her work in higher education, student wellbeing and community building. A 2024 Pillar of the Profession honoree by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Marcella has published or been featured in media such as NPR, the Boston Globe and the Chronicle of Higher Education on topics such as work life integration, intergroup dialogue, friendship and identity. Her most recent book is UnCommon Bonds: Women Reflect on Race & Friendship. 

Now in her 11th year at Mount Holyoke, Marcella leads the Division of Student Life, overseeing Student Engagement (Residential Life, Student Involvement, Orientation, Community Standards, and the Be Well initiative), Community & Belonging, Health Services, Counseling, Public Safety, and Physical Education and Athletics. She has played a key role in developing programs like MoZone, Be Well, and the Living Learning Communities. 

Marcella also serves on advisory boards for Embrace Race and the Hip-Hop Education Center, is affiliated with UMass Amherst’s Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research and is a current member of NASPA’s Scott Academy board and the Holyoke Children’s Museum board. Before joining Mount Holyoke, she was the founding co-director for NYU’s Global Center for Spiritual Life, where she created the first Multifaith & Spiritual Leadership minor in the Silver School of Social Work. She has two very active school-age daughters, Aaliyah, 14, and Ava, 10