Nancy T. Nguyen (She/Hers) currently serves as an Assistant Dean of Students at Stanford University. Prior to Stanford, she served in various campus life roles at San Jose State University (SJSU), Cal State San Marcos, and UC San Diego. While at SJSU, Nancy co-coordinated the campus-based NUFP program and served as a NUFP mentor to a number of fellows - many of whom are now committed colleagues in the field! The Multicultural Center at the University of the Pacific in her hometown of Stockton, CA was where Nancy was first introduced to Student Affairs and NUFP. 

Nancy has continued to benefit from mentorship through her NASPA network – these mentors and colleagues have shaped and contributed meaningfully to her professional life (and kept her sustained in this work!). Wanting to support and provide these similar opportunities to others is what drives Nancy to stay involved and connected with NASPA for the last 15 years. On the NUFP Advisory Board, Nancy has served as the Region VI NUFP Representative, Communications/Social Media Coordinator, Assessment/Learning Outcomes Chair, and is the current Board Chair until March 2026. As a Region VI NASPA member, she has also served on multiple regional conference committees and facilitated workshops and presentations for various pre-conferences (e.g., NUFP, Graduate Students, New Professionals, and Mid-Level Professional Institutes).

Benjamin (Ben) Mendoza (he/him/él) is a Resident Director at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). He approaches practitioner-based work through the lens created by his identities of being a first-generation, low-income, heterosexual, cisgender Latino man from Orange County, California. Ben is a product of a Mexican and Bolivian family that prioritizes life-long learning and a genuine care for helping others. Through his experience in Residential Education and NASPA as a NUFP, Ben was able to strengthen his core values and proudly embrace his authentic self. As Ben navigated earning his M.A. in Student Affairs and becoming a new professional, his passion for holistically assisting underserved and underrepresented students in higher education emerged. Through his leadership roles with the NUFP Advisory Board and the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, Ben has continued to develop as a student affairs practitioner and looks to search for ways to grow with his community.

Dr. Smita Ruzicka (she/her/hers) serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Middlebury College where she provides leadership for a wide portfolio of services and programs aimed at enhancing the overall student experience. Smita has over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education in a variety of institutions and regions of the country. Prior to joining Middlebury, she served as the Dean of Student Life at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.  She has also served as the Assistant Vice President for Campus Life at Tulane University in New Orleans and served in various leadership positions at the University of Texas at Austin. Smita has served as adjunct faculty and taught various academic courses at these institutions including first year seminar classes and courses on equity and inclusion as well as leadership development.  Smita also serves on the NUFP advisory board and has been involved in other NASPA programs and initiatives

Ben Williams (He/Him) CSAed  serves as Associate Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Trinity University. In this role, he co-chairs the university’s Student Success Team, oversees Student Engagement & Development, including student organizations, fraternity and sorority life, and leadership development, advises the Student Government Association, and leads key strategic initiatives that advance student engagement and success. With more than a decade of experience in higher education, Ben has held student affairs leadership roles at Miami University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Colorado Boulder.  Outside of his day job, he serves on the NASPA Foundation Board of Directors, co-chaired the NASPA Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee, and contributes to the NUFP Advisory Board and AER KC. He has presented nationally on student success, equity, and the mid-level leadership experience, and has published on topics including diversity and inclusion, family engagement, and organizational leadership.

Ariel D. Adams, M.A. (she/her) serves as the Director of Student Activities at Hamilton College, bringing nearly a decade of experience in higher education. Her professional background spans student activities, residence life, and orientation, with a focus on fostering community, promoting student learning, and supporting holistic development through inclusive, student-centered programming and advising. Dedicated to cultivating a diverse and welcoming campus environment, Ariel is passionate about creating spaces where all students feel a genuine sense of belonging. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wells College and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from SUNY Stony Brook.

Dr. Anwar Cruter (he/him/his) serves as Director of Residential Education at San Diego State University (SDSU). With over 15 years of experience in higher education, he has worked at both public and private institutions, focusing on student success, equity-minded practices, and student life. He has contributed significantly to institutional and departmental strategic planning, ensuring alignment with university goals and student development.

An active member of NASPA, Anwar is Chair-elect of the NASPA NUFP Board, Region VI representative for the Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Knowledge Community (AER KC), and has presented widely on student success, leadership, and equity at campus, regional, and national conferences.

A strong advocate for mentorship, Anwar has created and supported programs that guide undergraduate students especially first-generation and underrepresented students through academic, personal, and professional growth. He emphasizes meaningful connections between students and mentors to promote retention, leadership, and career readiness.

As an educator, he has taught courses in multicultural leadership, leadership education, and student development. His commitment to access and equity extends to advancing diversity and inclusion efforts for faculty, staff, and students. He identifies as an equity-minded practitioner-scholar dedicated to supporting the success of BIPOC students through a student-centered approach.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Anwar earned a B.A. from Elon University, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University, and a Doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Georgia. In his free time, he enjoys southern cuisine, pecan pie, traveling, and visiting Walt Disney World.

Dr. Brooke Paradise (they/them/their) is the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Inclusion and Engagement at Skidmore College, bringing over 15 years of experience in Higher Education across multiple institutions. Brooke has built a comprehensive residential curriculum, created initiatives to foster belonging, and led efforts to bridge faculty and staff collaboration to enhance student success.

They are actively involved in NASPA, serving as a NUFP Executive Board member and chair of the Undergraduate Student Conference, reflecting their dedication to developing diverse, equity-minded Student Affairs professionals. Professional development remains central to their work, as they mentor staff and students while continuing to invest in their own growth.

A first-generation college student and former resident assistant, Brooke’s vision for Student Affairs is rooted in ensuring every student feels they matter and belong. For them, Student Affairs is not just a career, but a calling to empower students and professionals alike.