Our Leaders

Scott H. Goodnight

1919 - 1920

Scott Goodnight (1875-1972) was the first Dean of Men at the University of Wisconsin, appointed in 1916. He held this position for twenty-nine of the forty-four years he served the University of Wisconsin. He was the "founder" of NADAM through admitting he was not aware of it at the time. In addition to his University-wide interests, Scott Goodnight was a Professor of German and a Goethe scholar.  He was a strong champion of students, a leader in the United States of an "extra-curriculum" to serve their needs, was one of a small group of men who "forged the character of the University... and established its reputation as one of the great universities of the world."

Thomas Arkle Clark

1920 - 1921

Thomas Arkle Clark (1862-1932) "Tommy Arkle" began his work with students in 1901, and gained the title "Dean of Men" in 1909, a position he held until 1931. He was born in poor economic circumstances which he felt taught him later lessons of self-reliance, responsibility, and hard work. He did not begin his college career until he was twenty-three, but became a prolific writer and popular speaker. Probably no person at the University of Illinois, where he spent his entire career, was better known. He was colorful and controversial. James Reston, the Washington columnist, said he "looked like Mr. Chips, but he behaved like J. Edgard Hoover." Yes his insistence on discipline failed to disguise his love for students, who years later remarked on his influence on their lives and careers. Time magazine featured the career of Dean Clark upon the occasion of his retirement.

Edward E. Nicholson

1921 - 1922

Ed Nicholson (1873-1949) was known to almost everyone as "Dean Nick." He was the first Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Minnesota, a position he held for twenty-four years, upon concluding a successful career in the chemistry department. Throughout his forty-five years at Minnesota, he was a strong advocate for students, urging them to organize and govern their own affairs. He is remembered for his enthusiastic repartee with students on a variet of issues and for the voluminous correspondence he developed on their behalf. Nicholson Hall at the University of Minnesota is named in his honor.

Stanley Coulter

1922 - 1923

Stanley Coulter (1853-1943) This lawyer-botanist helped define the position of Dean of Men during the early years of the field. He served Purdue University for thirty-nine years, the last seven as Dean of Men. He was one of the most inspiring deans ever associated with NADAM. Scott Goodnight referred to Coulter as a spiritual "mentor and guide," who could always be called upon to revive sagging spirits. He was generalist: "time, place, and... category fell away when he spoke." Booth Tarkington said of Stanley Coulter, "he performed upon me what might easily be called a miracle in the art of educating." Long after most people retire, he worked into his eighties as a consultant for Eli Lily Company.

Joseph A. Bursley

1923 - 1924

Joseph A. ("Joe") Bursley (1877-1950) began a forty-three year career with the University of Michigan in 1904. He was educated as a mechanical engineer and his textbook Heat Engines, written in 1910, was in its fifth reprinting at the time of Dean Bursley's death. He was appointed as Michigan's first Dean of Students in 1921. For the following twenty-six years, "Dean Bursley eminently embodied the ideals of his office... and the general welfare of Michigan students has been steadily and materially increased as a result of his persistent effort." The Michigan House Plan was developed during his tenure, and Bursley Hall is named in his honor.

Robert Rienow

1924 - 1925

Robert Rienow (1875-1946), Dean of Men at The University of Iowa, wrote a letter to Scott Goodnight in December of 1918, that eventually led to the creation of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He proposed that a group of Midwestern deans get together to discuss mutual problems. A meeting, attended by only six people, was hosted a month later at the University of Wisconsin. A year later, they formalized their gatherings and the National Association of Deans and Advisers of Men was underway. Dean Rienow was an innovator, and he created a program of distinction during his twenty-nine years as Iowa's Dean of Men. President Virgil Hancher, in commenting on Dean Rienow's death said, "some men work for the good of their fellow men... Dean Rienow belonged to that group." A residence hall named for Dean Rienow was dedicated at the University in 1965.

C. R. Melcher

1925 - 1926

C.R. Melcher (1863-1947) was a lawyer and German scholar.  In 1907, he began a forty year association with the University of Kentucky.  He was appointed full professor of German in 1908 and Dean of Men in 1914. At that point there were only two other deans of men in the United States.  Dean Melcher was very active in community affairs and was a respected figure in Lexington throughout his lifetime.

Floyd Field

1926 - 1927

Floyd Field (1873-1959) spent nearly his entire career at Georgia Tech and is honored as one of their "men-turned-legends." Called "Bo-Cat" by students because of his fierce reputation as a teacher (and chairman) in mathematics, he was also responsible for the creation of the Dean of Men's position at Tech in 1916. He was convinced that the institution was not paying enough attention to the human side of students, and the Board of Trustees responded by naming him the Dean of Men, a position he held for twenty-nine years. He was primarily responsible for the honor system at Georgia Tech.

Scott Goodnight

1927 - 1928

Scott Goodnight (1875-1972) was the first Dean of Men at the University of Wisconsin, appointed in 1916. He held this position for twenty-nine of the forty-four years he served the University of Wisconsin. He was the "founder" of NADAM though admitting he was not aware of it at the time. In addition to his University-wide interests, Scott Goodnight was a Professor of German and Goethe scholar. He was a strong champion of students, a leader in the United States of an "extra-curriculum" to serve their needs, was one of a small group of men who "forged the character of the University... and established its reputation as one of the great universities of the world."

George B. Culver

1928 - 1929

George B. Culver (1875-1949) served as Dean of Men at Stanford University from 1920-1938. Clearly his greatest achievement was the development of an honor system at Stanford that still exists today. Dean Culver was a lawyer-zoologist, with a special interest in ichthyology. President David Starr Jordan named a species of fish after Dean Culver in response to that interest. Described by the Stanford Daily as "beloved," Dean Culver is remembered for his disdain for student records. He said, "If it's bad enough or good enough I'll remember it. If it doesn't stay in my mind, it's better forgotten."

James W. Armstrong

1929 - 1930

James W. ("Jim") Armstrong (1897-1961) was named to the Dean of Men's position at Northwestern at age twenty-eight, the youngest man to that date to hold such a post at a major university. He is also the youngest president to serve Association assuming the post at age thirty-two. He was a veteran of both World War I and II and was cited for bravery. After leaving Northwester, he entered the newspaper business in Kentucky.

William L. Sanders

1930 - 1931

William L. ("Bill") Sanders (1889-1969) was a tweedy pipe-smoker whose career included teacher, dean, radio commentator, and newspaperman. It was during his nine year tenure at Ohio Wesleyan that he was elected president of NADAM. Dean Sanders possessed a bachelor divinity degree (Garrett) and a master degree from Columbia University. In 1960 he wrote a history of Dayton, Ohio and was working on a history of aviation at the time of his death. The history was commissioned by the Aviation Hall of Fame.

Victor I. Moore

1931 - 1932

Victor I. ("Vic.") Moore (1883-1943) is remembered for his eighteen years as Assistant Dean of men, Dean of Men, and Dean of Student Life at University of Texas at Austin. His academic preparation was in Latin and Greek, but was also actively involved in intercollegiate athletics. He came to Texas from Kentucky as one of three men charged with creating the Arlington Training School, a school which eventually became North Texas State University. Noted for his sense of humor and respect for fairness, Dean Moore was a popular and influential figure at the University at the time of his death. Moore-Hill Hall is names in his honor.

Clarence E. Edmondson

1932 - 1933

Clarence E. ("Pat") Edmondson (1883-1944) spent his entire career in higher education at Indiana University.  He received his doctorate in physiology and attained the rank of full professor in 1925. He was Indiana University's first dean of men, serving from 1919-1944.  Nearly every student at the University knew him.  Herman B. Wells, Indiana's president, said of him, "No man meant so much to so many students at Indiana University."

Harold E. Lobdell

1933 - 1934

Harold E. "Lobby" Lobdell (1896-1963) was a descendant of Abraham Pierson, the first president of Yale University. Dean Lobdell served the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for forty-two years. He was known to generations of MIT students, regarded for his salty frankness and loyalty to their interests. He founded MIT's athletic program and made The Technology Review (alumni magazine) one of the most distinguished of its type. Dean Lobdell was an internationally know philatelist and was a fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society.

B. A. Tolbert

1934 - 1935

B. A. Tolbert (1880-1937) came to the University of Florid in 1926 as Advisor to Freshmen and Professor of Education.  He was named Dean of Students in 1928, and remained in that position until his sudden death in 1937.

William E. Alderman

1935 - 1936

William E. Alderman (1888-1977) was Dean of the College and Dean of Men at Beloit College at the time of this election to NADAM president. In the fall of 1935, however, he moved to Miami University where he served for nearly a quarter of a century as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was a scholar, and perhaps the holder of the world's most complete collection of the work of Anthony Cooper, Third Earl of Shaftesbury, a collection he gave to Miami University. In addition to his NADAM presidency, Dean Alderman was president of the American Conference of Academic Deans (1953-54).

Dabney S. Lancaster

1936 - 1937

Dabney S. Lancaster (1889-1975) was the Dean of Men at the University of Alabama during his year as NADAM president.  He later returned to Virginia where he served as president of Longwood College.  After his retirement, he was the primer mover in the establishment of the community college system in Virginia.  The community college in Clifton Forge is named Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.

Donfred H. Gardner

1937 - 1938

Donfred H. ("Don") Gardner (1900-1975) must be regarded as one of the most influential members of NASPA. Thirty-eight of his forty-year active career was spent at the University of Akron.  He attained the rank of full professor (history) and was Dean of Men, Dean of Students, Dean of Administration, and Vice President and Dean of Administration at Akron. He was one of the earliest deans to think of student affairs work in administrative terms, and his program at the University of Akron became a model for many other campus deans.  The Gardner Student Center was named in his honor in 1967.

Donfred H. Gardner

1938 - 1939

Donfred H. ("Don") Gardner (1900-1975) must be regarded as one of the most influential members of NASPA. Thirty-eight of his forty-year active career was spent at the University of Akron.  He attained the rank of full professor (history) and was Dean of Men, Dean of Students, Dean of Administration, and Vice President and Dean of Administration at Akron. He was one of the earliest deans to think of student affairs work in administrative terms, and his program at the University of Akron became a model for many other campus deans.  The Gardner Student Center was named in his honor in 1967.

James P. Findlay

1939 - 1940

James P. Findlay was a Phi Beta Kappa Scholar and received his doctorate from NYU. He was the first full-time Dean of Men at the University of Oklahoma (1929-1940). Immediately after concluding his year as NADAM president, Dean Findlay became president of Drury College, a position he held for a quarter of a century. During that period Drury grew from a student body of 350 to 2,500. After retirement, Dr. Findlay served the College of the Ozarks as Vice President, bringing it to four-year status, and as he reports, "to apply the student personnel point of view to the academic situation..." He retired, for the second time, in 1969.

J. Jorgen Thompson

1940 - 1941

J. Jorgen Thompson (1881-1963) "Jerg" Thompson was an outstanding scholar-dean. His specialty was Norse-American culture, and he served the Norwegian-American Historical Association as Secretary for twenty-seven years. He served for many years as president of Det Norske Selskap of America, and was president of the National Association of Teachers of Norwegian. St. Olaf College claimed the majority of his professional life. In 1936, Dean Thompson was made a Knight of the Order of St. Olaf by King Haakon VII of Norway.

Lambert S. Corbett

1941 - 1942

Lambert S. Corbett (1887-1945) began his career as a dean at the University of Main (Orono) in 1929. His academic preparation was in Agriculture, and he served as a professor of Animal Industry at the University for all of his thirty-two year career there. He held an active interest in inter-collegiate athletics, and "was deeply interested in the individual student." Described as one of the most "beloved" persons ever to serve the University, a residence hall there has been name in his honor.

Joseph A. Park

1942 - 1943

Joseph A. ("Joe") Park (1893-1952) has been described as a man with sad eyes but a light heart. His entire career was spent at The Ohio State University, where he was the first Dean of Men. He was an effective administrator, but "first and foremost a counselor and friend." He also served as president of the National Conference on College Fraternities and Societies. His premature death was noted across Ohio and the city of Cleveland adopted a resolution in his honor. The Park Memorial Chapel in the Ohio Union was the first memorial to Dean Park, followed by the naming of Park Hall, a high-rise residence hall on campus.

John H. Julian

1943 - 1944

John H. Julian (1886-1965) served the University of South Dakota for over half a century. He came to the university as an instructor of physics and engineering in 1907, and became a vice president in 1925, adding the "dean of students" title in 1929, a position he held until 1949. He was known for his business acumen, which was of immeasurable help to the University during a critical point in its history. He is remembered also for his keen and kindly interest in students.

Earl J. Miller

1944 - 1945

Earl J. Miller (1893-1988) spent more than four decades at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1924 until his retirement in 1960. During his presidency, he served UCLA as Dean of the Undergraduates, but his original appointment was as Dean of Men. He was also taught in the Economics Department. Because the 1945 conference could not be held due to W. W. II travel restrictions, Miller served two terms as president. 

Earl J. Miller

1945 - 1946

Earl J. Miller (1893-1988) spent more than four decades at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1924 until his retirement in 1960. During his presidency, he served UCLA as Dean of the Undergraduates, but his original appointment was as Dean of Men. He was also taught in the Economics Department. Because the 1945 conference could not be held due to W. W. II travel restrictions, Miller served two terms as president. 

Arno Nowotny

1946 - 1947

Arno ("Shorty") Nowotny (1899-1982) served the University of Texas "officially" for forty-three years, but still maintained an office and regularly visited with former students years longer.  He was the first NADAM vice-president to hold "Assistant Dean" status, being Dean of Men in 1942, and Dean of Students a year later.  Trained as a lawyer, Dean Nowotny ran the Associations' informal placement activities for many years.  At the time of this "final" retirement, the University of Texas News noted: " A little 5'1" gentlemen who as been a towering spirit at the University of Texas for more than forty years began his official retirement by staying on the job." He was "on the job" at eighty, when he assumed the national presidency of Phi Eta Sigma, an Association founded by one of his predecessors, Thomas Arkle Clark.

E.L. Cloyd

1947 - 1948

E.L. ("Bishop") Cloyd (1891-1973) served as Dean of Students at North Carolina State University at Raleigh from 1921-1951. An accomplished singer, drummer, and violinist, Dean Cloyd was a popular performer. One of his major accomplishments was the creation of a Student Union at NCSU, the Erdahl-Cloyd Student Union.

James H. Newman

1948 - 1949

James H. Newman (1908-1997) spent the bulk of his career at the University of Alabama where he served in a variety of roles including executive vice president and acting president. During his NASPA presidency, Newman was Dean of Students at the University of Virginia. His final position in higher education was as president of Longwood College (now Longwood University) in Virginia.

Lloyd K. Neidlinger

1949 - 1950

Lloyd K. Neidlinger (1901-1978) pursued four different careers during his life - architecture, coaching, college dean, business. He was an All-American football player at Dartmouth, and was the hockey coach at Princeton (where he picked up his degree in architecture). He came back to Dartmouth and served as assistant dean and dean for a period of nineteen years. In 1953, he became executive director of the United States Council of the International Chamber of Commerce. He also studied under the artist Paul Sample, and was an accomplished painter in both oils and water colors.

Wesley P. Lloyd

1950 - 1951

Wesley P. ("Wes") Lloyd (1904-1977) was appointed Dean of Men at Brigham Young University, the institution that would claim most of his working life. He held strong academic interests, as evidenced in his appointment to Dean of the Graduate School at BYU in 1961. He held a long-standing interest in international education and published three books on that theme. Perhaps more than any other single person, he is responsible for the transition of the Dean of Men's group (NADAM) to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators that exists today.

A. Blair Knapp

1951 - 1952

A. Blair Knapp (1905-1968) served as Dean of Men at Syracuse University until moving to Temple University as Dean and Vice President, 1946-1951. Like Vic Spathelf (Ferris State College), Blair Knapp began a career as a college president the same year he was president of NASPA.  He had a distinguished career as president of Denison University (1951-1968) until his unexpected death.  He was a member of ACE, CEEB, and president of the Ohio COllege Association.  His record at Denison was one of outstanding achievement.  He was awarded six honorary degrees during his career of service.

Victor F. Spathelf

1952 - 1953

Victor F. ("Vic") Spathelf began his career as a high school teacher, principal, and superintendent. His student affairs experience spanned only eleven years at Wayne State University (1941-1952) and he served his NASPA presidency while a first-year president of Ferris State College, a position he held for eighteen years. He has worked in behalf of Boards and Commissions throughout the State of Michigan, and is remembered for his kindliness, his humor, and his great sense of personal dignity.

Robert M. Strozier

1953 - 1954

Robert M. ("Bob") Strozier (1906-1960) served as Dean of Students at the University of Chicago from 1946-1957, when he became president of Florida State University. He was a full professor of Romance Languages. He studied at the Sorbonne and in 1947 returned there on invitation to give a series of lectures. He was a consultant to the State Department and was active in his community. He died of a sudden attack while on a speaking engagement in Chicago.

John H. Stibbs

1954 - 1955

John H. ("Jack") Stibbs (1909-1975) served as Dean of Students at Tulane University from 1951-1975. He was a scholar in the area of Renaissance English Literature and attained the rank of full professor in the English department at Tulane in 1958. He was a consultant for the Ford Foundation and had a longstanding interest in international education. He was very popular with students and the Tulane Student Council established an award in his name in 1965. A memorial award was created in 1975, to honor a student each year for outstanding service to the academic and extracurricular life at Tulane.

John E. Hocutt

1955 - 1956

John E. Hocutt (1914-1981) served two institutions during his career - The College of William and Mary, and the University of Delaware. He served as Conference Chairman for NASPA for five years. He received the Bronze Star during the Second World War and held the rank of Captain. He received NASPA's Outstanding Service Award in 1972. A heart attack resulted in Dean Hocutt's early retirement, but he remained active in his community.

Frank C. Baldwin

1956 - 1957

Frank C. ("Ted") Baldwin (1900-1979) was Cornell University's first Dean of Men, holding the position from 1948-1960 when he was appointed Secretary of the University. Dean Baldwin had a reputation for a broad sense of humor and an enjoyment of people. It has been reported that his wife never sent him on any errand, no matter how simple, as he would not return for hours. "Talking with people..." he would say to an inquiry as to his whereabouts. His eulogist noted, "he loved Cornell and he loved people, and that love was returned in full."

Donald M. DuShane

1957 - 1958

Donald M. DuShane (1908-1989) received his B.A. degree from Wabash College at the age of eighteen and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  The majority of his career was spent as Dean of Students at the University of Oregon.  DuShane was very interested in public service and encouraged many students to participate in their communities.

Fred H. Turner

1958 - 1959

Fred H. Turner (1900-1975) may well deserve the title "Dean of Deans." Certainly he was a student affairs professional longer than almost anyone in the field, his career at the University of Illinois spanning almost fifty years, serving eight presidents. He was actively involved in NADAM/NASPA for nearly an identical period, serving for many years as its unpaid secretary. Midwestern deans remember him for the creation of the annual Allerton Conference near the Illinois campus. In 1979, the student services building at the University was named for Fred Turner.

H. Donald Winbigler

1959 - 1960

H. Donald ("Don") Winbigler spent the majority of his working career at Stanford University. He served in a variety of capacities, and was Dean of Students for seventeen years. In 1949, he was promoted to Professor (speech and drama, and education) at Stanford. During his career, Dean Winbigler held leadership positions in the American Education Theatre Association, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Western College Association, and the Wester Personnel Institute. He was a member of numerous honorary and service organizations.

William S. Guthrie

1960 - 1961

William S. ("Bill") Guthrie spent his first career at The Ohio State University, a period spanning twenty-five years. This career was capped by his appointment to the position of Executive Dean, Student Relations. Following his year as NASPA president, Dean Guthrie assumed the presidency of the Buckeye Federal Savings and Loan Association in Columbus, now nearly a billion dollar organization. He was held numerous civic positions in Columbus and has been honored several times by the community and the University. He was also an Advisory Board member of the United Negro College Fund.

Fred H. Weaver

1961 - 1962

Fred H. Weaver (1915-1972) spent his entire of his career at the University of North Carolina. He served as Dean of Students at UNC-Chapel Hill from 1946-1961 and then worked with the University of North Carolina System as Secretary (1961-1963) and Vice President (1963-1969). He also served as a project adviser for educational administration with the Ford Foundation in India. He died while traveling in India in 1972.

John C. Clevenger

1962 - 1963

John C. ("Jack") Celvenger served both Colorado State University and Washington State University during his long career. He was the first chairperson of the Council of Student Personnel Association (COSPA) and served as a member of the National Council of the YMCA, was a director of the American Association of University Administrators, and served in various capacities with the State Department, American Council on Education, and the College Student Personnel Institute. During his presidency, NASPA embarked on a program of diversification and growth.

James C. McLeod

1963 - 1964

James C. ("Jim") McLeod (1905-1981) has been the only NASPA president to hold the Doctor of Divinity degree. He was a full Professor at Northwestern University before assuming the Dean of Students' position there in 1952, a position he held for fifteen years. He was a fellow in the Yale Divinity School (1963-64) and guest speaker in pulpits across the nation. In addition to his NASPA presidency, Jim McLeod was the international president of Delta Upsilon, and vice president of Religious Education Association.

Victor R. Yanitelli

1964 - 1965

Victor R. ("Vic") Yanitelli (1914-1993) received his doctorate from Fordham, the only Jesuit to serve as the Association's president. He served as Vice President at Fordham during his NASPA presidency and between 1965-1978 was president of Saint Peter's College, where he later served as Chancellor. He served on many regional and national boards and received numerous awards and honorary degrees. He was made a Grand Knight of the Order of the Star of Solidarity by the Italian government in 1967.

Glen T. Nygreen

1965 - 1966

Glen T. Nygreen (1918-2010) was Dean of Students at the Bronx Branch of Hunter College (which later became Lehman College), City University of New York during his NASPA presidency. He would ultimately retire in 1988 from Lehman College as Senior Vice President and Professor of Sociology emeritus. Prior to Lehman College, Nygreen had worked at the University of Washington, Kent State University, Hunter College, and Columbia Teachers College. In addition to NASPA, he served Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity as Eminent Supreme Archon (1963-1965) and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity as national president (1968-1970).

Edmund G. Williamson

1966 - 1967

Edmund G. ("Ed") Williamson (1901-1979) undoubtedly added more to the literature of student personnel than any other person before him. A prolific author, Williamson averaged about an article every month for each of his forty years as a working professional. He also authored or co-authored nearly a dozen books. A professor of psychology, he held the Dean of Students position at the University of Minnesota for twenty-eight years. He was popular with students, a reputation that greatly benefited the University during the turbulent period of the 60s. An unusual building at Minnesota wholly underground, is named for Dean Williamson.

Carl W. Knox

1967 - 1968

Carl W. Knox was Dean of Men at the University of Illinois during his year as president. He served for eight years as Secretary-Treasurer, before NASPA had a central office.  He contributed to the publication of "The Breeze," the first official NADAM publication.

O.D. Roberts

1968 - 1969

O.D. Roberts (1911-1986) will be remembered as Dean of Men and Assistant Vice President at Purdue University, an institution he served for twenty-four years. During his NASPA presidency, community colleges became eligible for membership. He chaired three NASPA conferences and was controller of the Association for several years. In 1971, Dean Roberts was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Interfraternity Conference. He received numerous awards, including NASPA's Outstanding Service award in 1972.

Mark W. Smith

1969 - 1970

Mark W. Smith spent sixteen years at Denison University (1954-1970) where he also attained the rank of professor. Upon leaving that institution, the campus paper carried an article entitled "Goodbye to a Living Legend." His professional resume reflects his unique view of leadership through the following notation of his accomplishments: "Fired on October 6, 1977... for challenging disregard for students of integrity... and exclusion of students from policy and decision-making." Mark Smith retired from the position of Dean of Students at Eckerd College in 1990.

Channing M. Briggs

1970 - 1971

Channing M. ("Chan") Briggs joined NASPA as its first paid executive in 1970. He was named Executive Director in 1975.  His career in higher education began at George Williams College and concluded on a full-time basis at Portlan State where he was the Dean of Students from 1962-1970. Channing Briggs is responsible for developing the first professional central office staff for NASPA, one that proved to be effective and highly regarded by the Associations' members.

Chester E. Peters

1971 - 1972

Chester E. ("Chet") Peters spent his career at Kansas State University, beginning as Assistant to the Dean, College of Arts and Sciences.  He became Dean of Students in 1962, Vice President in 1967. Apart from his NASPA involvements, Chet Peters also served as president of the National Placement Council.  He is known for his creative wood sculptures, and has regularly designed unique presidential gavels for each NASPA president since 1973.  He is a member of the National Woodcarvers of America. He won NASPA's Fred Turner Award in 1977.  Dr. Peters retired in 1985.

Thomas B. Dutton

1972 - 1973

Thomas B. (“Tom”) Dutton was named as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of California, Davis in 1970 and served in that role until 1991. He was the valedictorian of his class at the University of California, Berkeley, and an All-Conference football player at Berkeley. He received two Woodrow Wilson fellowships in pursuit of his doctorate in Educational Administration, again at Berkeley where he also worked before moving to Davis. He was a recipient of the Scott Goodnight Award in 1976 and held numerous positions in NASPA.

John L. Blackburn

1973 - 1974

John L. Blackburn has held positions at Florida State University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Denver. In addition to holding several leadership positions in NASPA, he served as president, conference chairman, and board member of the American Association of University Administrators. He served on the American Council on Education's Commission on Academic Affairs, and as an advisor and consultant to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. He established the NASPA Institute for Research and Development (NIRAD). Dr. Blackburn was then Vice President for Development at the University of Alabama. He is considered to be one of NASPA's most creative presidents.

James R. Appleton

1974 - 1975

James R. ("Jim") Appleton served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Southern California from 1972 to 1982. He chaired NASPA's annual conference in 1973, and has served numerous other positions. He is a co-author of Pieces of Eight. In 1978, CHANGE magazine named him as one of the 100 young leaders in American higher education. In 1987 he started his term as President of the University of Redlands.

James J. Rhatigan

1975 - 1976

James J. ("Jim") Rhatigan was Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Wichita State University beginning in 1965. He wrote the first position paper on the role of the regional vice president, and that office has developed along the lines formulated in that paper. Other positions held include the presidency of the Mountain-Plains Deans and Kansas Association Student Personnel Administrators. He is a co-author of Pieces of Eight, has published articles in professional journals, and is an evaluator for the North Central Accreditation Association. He was named NASPA Historian in 1977.

Alice Manicur

1976 - 1977

Alice R. Manicur was the first woman to serve as NASPA president.  She has served in many NASPA capacities and chaired the San Francisco Conference in 1975.  She was the first woman to hold a voting position on the NASPA Executive Committee.  She is the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Frostburg State College (Maryland) and is the first - and only - person to hold that position.  She has been active in other organizations and won SPATE's award for meritorious service in 1972. Loving travel, she has visited all parts of the world.

C. Arthur Sandeen

1977 - 1978

C. Arthur ("Art") Sandeen served in positions at Michigan State University and Iowa State University before becoming Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Florida, 1973. He was a member of the Graduate Faculty at Florida and held the rank of Professor.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (1977-78) and has served on the National Advisory Board of the ERIC Clearinghouse.  He has published Undergraduate Education: Conflict and Change, and is the author of one monograph and many articles.

Donald V. Adams

1978 - 1979

Donald V. ("Don") Adams became the Vice President for Student Life at Drake University in 1969, after serving in several major residence hall positions at Michigan State University.  He has served as consultant to many institutions and is an evaluator for the North Central Accreditation Association.

George W. Young

1979 - 1980

George W. Young was Vice President for Student Development at Broward Community College first in 1969. He was the first community college dean/vice president to serve on the NASPA Executive, the first community college administrator to chair a national conference, and was the first NASPA president from a community college.

Lyle A. Gohn

1980 - 1981

Lyle A. Gohn began his career at Purdue University, and served in positions at Southern Illinois and Wichita State Universities before assuming the position of Dean of Student Affairs and Services at Montana State University in 1976. Dean Gohn was chairperson of the National Orientation Directors Association, 1972-74, and chaired the Annual Conference of NASPA in 1978. His work as Vice President of Region IV-W brought the region's activities to a high professional level, involving more colleagues in Association work than had ever occurred before. Dr. Gohn then served as Vice Chancellor for Student Services at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

E. T. Buchanan III

1981 - 1982

E.T. ("Joe") Buchanan was NASPA's first attorney president and also earned the Ph.D. degree from Florida State University. During his administration, the central office of NASPA was moved to the Ohio State University, a statement of ethics was adopted by the membership, and standards for professional practice were written. Joe Buchanan was the second community college professional to serve as NASPA president.

R. Mikell O'Donnell

1982 - 1983

Mikell O'Donnell served in positions at Maryland, Idaho State, and Iowa State, before taking the position of Assistant Dean of the College of Education, The Ohio State University, which she occupied during her NASPA presidency. She served in various capacities on the NASPA Executive Committee and was Editor of the NASPA Journal for three years.

Edward H. Hammond

1983 - 1984

Edward H. ("Ed) Hammond was the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Louisville during his NASPA presidency. Previously he had served as Vice President at Seton Hall. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Missouri. Hammond was nationally recognized as an expert in risk management, and in alcohol/drug abuse education. In 1987 he became president of Fort Hays State University.

Richard J. Correnti

1984 - 1985

Richard J. ("Dick") Correnti received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 1969. He served on the staff of SUNY-Cortland beginning in 1968, and in 1977 became Vice President for Student Affairs at Ithaca College. During his NASPA presidency, a strategic plan was developed, a more equitable dues structure put in place, and the NASPA membership voted to move the national headquarters to Washington, D.C. Correnti then served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida International University.

Bob E. Leach

1985 - 1986

Bob E. Leach (1935-1989) was Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida State University during his NASPA presidency.  He received the Ph.D. from Union of Experimenting Colleges and Universities and served at Wofford College and SMU before moving to Florida State.  His presidency included an Issues Lab resulting in a major revision of the Association's strategic plan, the development of a computerized membership and financial management system, the creation of the office of the Assistant Executive Director, and an intensified effort to work closely with other professional associations.  Dr. Leach was the first Black professional to serve as president of NASPA.

Judith M. Chambers

1986 - 1987

Judith M. ("Judy") Chambers received her M.A. degree from the University of the Pacific. After a position at Mt. Union College, she returned to the University of the Pacific and was named as Vice President for Student Affairs in 1975. During her presidency, NASPA's headquarters in Washington, D.C. were selected. Executive Director Richard Stevens died and Dr. Elizabeth Nuss was selected as NASPA's new Executive Director. From grants secured by President Chambers, A Perspective on Student Affairs was prepared as part of the fifty year celebration of The Student Personnel Point of View. Dr. Chambers was selected in 1989 as a Fred Turner Award recipient.

Larry H. Ebbers

1987 - 1988

Larry H. Ebbers was professor and chair of the Department of Professional Studies at Iowa State University during his term as NASPA president. Significant activities that occurred during his term of office included moving the NASPA office from The Ohio State University to Washington, D.C., join the Higher Education Secretariat, creating an effort to attract minorities to the student affairs profession, initiating relationships with chief financial aid officers, and appointing a task force to study preparation program/practitioner relationships.

Thomas Goodale

1988 - 1989

Thomas ("Tom") Goodale received his Ph.D. degree from Iowa State University and served on staffs at North Dakota State, Michigan State, Iowa State, and the University of Florida before moving to the University of Denver as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in 1981. He was named Vice President for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech in 1988. His presidency included the raising of $50,000 from corporate sponsors to support Association programs, creating a Division of Member Services to promote NASPA and improved the Association's fiscal base. A 1972 replication of a National Conference on Campus Racism was accomplished during his term.

Dudley B. Woodard, Jr.

1989 - 1990

Dudley B. (Doug) Woodard, Jr. received a Ph.D. from Ohio University and served as Vice President of Student Affairs at SUNY-Binghamton (1974-1983) and the University of Arizona (198301991). He then served as professor of higher education at the University of Arizona.

Marsha A. Duncan

1990 - 1991

Marsha A. Duncan worked at the University of South Carolina for eight years, and was named Vice President for Student Affairs at LeHigh in 1983, a position she still holds. She served as Vice President for Region II and held a number of important assignments prior to her election as president.

Dennis C. Golden

1991 - 1992

Dr. Dennis C. (“Denny”) Golden was president of NASPA during the year of one of its largest national conference in the Association's history.  He earned his Ph.D. from Boston College and was the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Louisville during his year as president.  The Enrollment Management and Disability Concerns' Networks were established during his presidency. He would go one to serve as President of Fontbonne University from 1995 until 2014.

Joan M. Claar

1992 - 1993

Joan M. Claar was appointed Dean of Students at DePauw University in 1979, a role she served in for 15 years. In 1994, she moved to Cornell College as Vice President and Dean of Students and retired in 2000. Joan’s contributions to NASPA and student affairs were recognized multiple times including being named a Pillar of the Profession and receiving the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA both in 2000.

Paula M. Rooney

1993 - 1994

Dr. Paula M. Rooney was named the 13th president of Dean College in July 1995.  Prior to joining Dean College, Dr. Rooney was the vice president for student affairs at Babson College. She formerly held senior academic and administrative appointments at Reed College, Colgate University and Indiana University.

James E. Scott

1994 - 1995

Dr. James E. Scott, a native of Albion, Michigan, spent his career teaching and serving others. He began his career as a high school teacher and guidance counselor in the Willow Run, Michigan, Public School System. From 1972 to 1976, he was Assistant Dean of Students at Eastern Michigan University. He then served as Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Campus Life at Eastern Michigan until 1981. Dr. Scott had been Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Florida since September 1999.  Dr. Scott was active both regionally and nationally in the student affairs profession through a variety of organizations including the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Jon C. Dalton

1995 - 1996

Jon C. Dalton, EdD, professor emeritus of higher education at Florida State University, founded the Journal of College and Character in 2000.  He is also founder of the Dalton Institute on College Student Values. He served as vice president for student affairs at Florida State from 1989 to 1999. He was a 2010 recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research Award and The John L. Blackburn Distinguished Pillar Award at NASPA, served as its president in 1994, and was recognized as a Senior Scholar by ACPA.

Suzanne E. Gordon

1996 - 1997

Dr. Suzanne E. Gordon earned her Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1979. Before retirement, she served as the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. She currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida.

Jack Warner

1997 - 1998

Jack Warner is an associate professor at JWU’s Providence Campus. Prior to joining JWU, he served as executive director and CEO of the South Dakota Board of Regents, the governing board for the state’s public university system. In the past, he has served as board chair for both the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO). He was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of System Heads (NASH).

Cheryl (Cherry) M. Callahan

1998 - 1999

Dr. Callahan has been involved in higher education for 40 years with a focus on student affairs administration. She earned her PhD in 1987 in Child Development and Family Relations from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972. She is also an undergraduate alumna from UNCG in Sociology with Honors. Prior to her tenure at UNCG, she worked at Delaware State University as Staff Counselor and Director of Orientation. She has taught numerous courses with a particular emphasis on the freshman experience and leadership at Delaware State, Wilmington College, and UNCG. Dr. Callahan’s professional interests include mentoring students and young professionals, managing crises, leadership development, and serving her profession in a variety of ways, most notably the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators which she served as President in 1998-99. She also served as Chair of the NASPA Foundation Board until 2014 and remained active on this Board until 2016. She has served as a SACS reaffirmation committee member at various institutions since 1996.

Doris Ching

1999 - 2000

Dr. Doris M. Ching served the State of Hawaii and University of Hawaii (UH) in diverse and challenging roles. Before her appointment to the office of Vice President for Student Affairs, she served as middle school teacher, associate professor and associate dean of education, and assistant to the UH President. Dr. Ching was the first Asian American president of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the NASPA Foundation. She continues to serve as mentor to hundreds of students, faculty, staff and colleagues in administration across the United States of America.

Shannon Ellis

2000 - 2001

Shannon Ellis was appointed Vice President for Student Services at University of Nevada, Reno in 1998. Prior to her position at the University, Ellis served as Dean of Student and Academic Support Services at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., from 1990-98. In 1988-90, she served as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Campus Life at the University of Southern California; Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs at USC,1985-88; Associate Director, Office for Residential Life at USC, 1983-85; Director of Greek Affairs, Office for Residential Life at USC, 1980-83. She began her career in academia as Director of Greek Affairs and Assistant Dean in the Dean of Students Office at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, from 1977-1980. Ellis has received two Fulbright awards in her career for studies in Germany and in Japan. She has served as president of her national professional association, the National Association for Student Personnel Administration (NASPA) and is active on several editorial and foundation boards. 

Theresa A. Powell

2001 - 2002

Dr. Theresa A. Powell currently serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Temple University. She is the past-president of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), where she has been honored as a Pillar of the Profession. In addition, she served as a Team Chair, Consultant Evaluator, and as a member of the Accreditation Review Council for The Higher Learning Commission (Commission of the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools) for the past eleven years. Before going to Western Michigan, where she also was a tenured professor, she served the Ohio Board of Regents as administrator and then as director of two-year campus programs.

Michael Jackson

2002 - 2003

Michael L. Jackson has been vice president for Student Affairs and professor of higher education in the USC Rossier School of Education for the past 16 years at the University of Southern California (USC). Prior to his arrival at USC, he served as dean of students at Stanford University. He is a former president of NASPA and was awarded the foundation’s Scott Goodnight Award for service as a dean. He is the author of numerous articles on higher education and has been the principal investigator for a number of large federal and private foundation grants to support and promote the academic success of minority students.

Karen L. Pennington

2003 - 2004

Dr. Karen L. Pennington was appointed Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life in 1998. She came to Montclair State University from the State University of New York at Geneseo, where she served in the same role. She has held various positions in student affairs at six institutions in four states, including Director of College Activities, Director of Residence Life, Associate Dean and Dean of Students and Vice President. Dr. Pennington has served as a member of the Board of Directors of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and as Chair of the Board from 2003-2004. She has served as a member of and on the Board of Directors of the NASPA Foundation, and Chair of the NASPA Stevens Institute for Senior Effectiveness.

Peg L. Blake

2004 - 2005

Peg has devoted her entire career to supporting student success in post-secondary education. She was the Vice President for enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Humboldt State University.  Before Humboldt State, she was the Dean of Enrollment Services and Registrar at Southern Oregon University. Prior to her work there, she served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Boise State University and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She was the elected President of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). In 2013, she was one of twelve to receive the NASPA Pillar of the Profession Award in recognition of her distinguished service to the organization and to her profession.

Kurt Keppler

2005 - 2006

Dr. Kurt J. Keppler serves as Vice President for Student Affairs at Louisiana State University. Prior to his appointment, Keppler was Vice President for Student Affairs at Valdosta State University, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Georgia State University, Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Assistant Director of Student Development at the University of Missouri. He was the 2005-06 President of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and was named a NASPA “Pillar of the Profession” in 2007. He co-edited NASPA’s monograph, partnering with Parents of Today’s College Students (Keppler, Mullendore & Carey, 2005).

Barbara Jones

2006 - 2007

Barbara Jones is Vice President for Student Affairs at Boston College. A high-performing leader in higher education, she has served at a variety of institutions including the University of Memphis, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Ball State University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is a former President of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, an organization with 13,000 members at 1400 institutions in 28 countries. Jones earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University and her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. 

Jan Walbert

2007 - 2008

Dr. Jan Walbert serves as Vice President and Senior Consultant for Executive Search—a role in which she is responsible for strategy, management, implementation, and quality assurance for K&A’s Executive Search services, including our collaboration with NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education for Interim Executive Placement Services. Dr. Walbert has been a senior officer and leader in higher education throughout her career of more than 35 years.

Diana Doyle

2008 - 2009

Dr. Doyle has been the President of Arapahoe Community College since April 2010. Prior to her appointment at ACC, Dr. Doyle served as the Executive Vice President of Learning and Student Affairs at the Community College of Denver.  Elected as President of the national professional association NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education in 2008-09, Dr. Doyle also received the NASPA Foundation Pillar of the Profession award for outstanding contributions to college student success in 2010. 

Mike Segawa

2009 - 2010

Mike Segawa is the Interim Dean of Students after having spent the last 13 years in senior student affairs roles at the University of Puget Sound.  For the last 10 years he served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at UPS. Prior to Puget Sound, he was the Director of Housing at The Evergreen State College from 1995-2004 and the senior residential life officer at the University of Washington from 1983-1995.  Mike earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine and a graduate degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Colorado State University.  He has been active in a variety of professional associations including NASPA:  Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, ACPA:  College Student Educators International, and the housing profession's ACUHO-I.  His leadership roles have included serving as the president of NASPA, chairing of a number of national and regional conferences, faculty roles for numerous workshops and institutes, and regional senior leadership positions.

Elizabeth Griego

2010 - 2011

Elizabeth Griego serves as the president-elect of NASPA (2009-2010) and will serve as president of the association in 2010-2011. Her past leadership positions in NASPA include serving as the Region VI vice president from 2000-2002, serving on the northern California Executive Committee for the last 16 years and as chair from 1994-96, and serving on various conference committees, as Coordinator of the Region VI Women's Network, member of the NASPA Journal Editorial Board, Liaison to Region VI Senior Student Affairs Officers and organizer of two regional senior student affairs officer weekend retreats. 

Patricia Telles-Irvin

2011 - 2012

Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin is the Vice President for Student Affairs at Northwestern University. She served in a similar capacity at the University of Florida from 2004- 2011. Before leaving for the University of Florida, she served as Sr. Vice President for Student Affairs and Human Resources and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Florida International University. Prior to becoming Sr. Vice President, Dr. Telles-Irvin was the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Florida International University. Prior to living in Florida, she was an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and practiced psychology at the University of Texas-Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Telles-Irvin is the Past President of NASPA, the leading national association for student affairs professionals with over 13,000 members, representing 1,400 institutions in 29 countries. She is the first Hispanic to serve as president of NASPA.

Levester Johnson

2012 - 2013

Dr. Johnson is the vice president for the Division of Student Affairs at Illinoi State University.  Prior to Illinoi State, Johnson was the vice president for student affairs of Butler University since 1997. Prior to becoming vice president at Butler, Johnson served as that institution’s associate dean of student affairs and assistant dean of students. Before his time at Butler, Johnson was a coordinator of residence life and hall director at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Laura Wankel

2013 - 2014

Dr. Wankel is the vice president for student affairs at Northeastern University in Boston. Previously, at Seton Hall she was the vice chancellor for student affairs and vice president for student affairs and enrollment services. Dr. Wankel served as assistant vice president for student affairs at SUNY Purchase from 1987 to 1995. From 1983 to 1987, Dr. Wankel was assistant dean for campus and residence operations at SUNY Purchase.  Prior to that, she served in student affairs positions at the university of Pittsburgh. Dr. Wankel has been an active NASPA member at both the reginal and national level. She has served as a program reviewer from several NASPA national conferences, member of the REGIN II Advisory Board, Pre-Conference Program Coordinator and member of the 1994 national conference committee. She has also been on the editorial board for the NASPA Journal.

Patricia A. Whitely

2014 - 2015

Dr. Patricia A. Whitely has been the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Miami since 1997. Prior to her appointment, she was Director of Student Life at the University of Miami from 1994 to 1997. She also served from 1982 to 1994 at the University of Miami as a Residence Coordinator, Assistant Director of Residence Halls, and Associate Director of Residence Halls.  NASPA Region III awarded her the “John Jones Award” for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Professional in 2012. She is also the recipient of the 2013 NASPA Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer, the highest award in her profession, as well as the recipient of the 2009 NASPA Pillar of the Profession.

Frank Lamas

2015 - 2016

Dr. Frank R. Lamas currently serves as the Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Fresno State. Dr. Lamas has over thirty years of extensive experience as a higher education leader and faculty member. Previously, Dr. Lamas was the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The University of Texas at Arlington for ten years and served on the President’s Council. Dr. Lamas also served as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York for over ten years. He also served as an Assistant Professor at UT Arlington (2012-2014) and Canisius College (1997-2001) in the Department of Higher Education in the College of Education. Dr. Lamas is involved in a number of state, regional, and national professional organizations. Dr. Lamas served on national and state boards including National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Board of Directors as Chair-Elect, Chairman and Past-Chair (2014-17), Member-at-Large (2011-2013). In 2016, he was named a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA.

Lori S. White

2016 - 2017

Lori S. White is the Vice President for Student Affairs at Southern Methodist University a position she has held since 2007.  She also serves as clinical professor in the SMU Simmons School of Education. On July 1, 2015 she will become the Vice Chancellor for Students at Washington University in St Louis.

Dr White has spent over 30 years working in higher education. Prior to her arrival at SMU she served as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Southern California and has also worked at Stanford, Georgetown and San Diego State Universities and the University of California, Irvine. At SMU, Dr. White and her colleagues are responsible for student life programs including residence halls; women's, multi-cultural and volunteer and leadership programs; student activities; student conduct; campus ministries; health and wellness programs; career services; the Hughes-Trigg Student Center and the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports.

Dr. White is active nationally in several higher education organizations and has served on   the Board of Directors for the Association for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation. In 2009 she was named a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA. Dr. White was elected chair of the NASPA Board of Directors for 2016-2017. 

Dr. White’s areas of emphasis in research and teaching include the student experience in higher education and the preparation and mentorship of new, mid-level and aspiring senior student affairs professionals. She is the author of a number of articles and book chapters and has presented widely at professional meetings. 

Dr. White was born and raised in San Francisco, CA.  She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and English from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in education administration and policy analysis with emphasis in higher education. She also participated in Harvard University's Management and Leadership in Education Program. 

Her claim to fame is that she can name the mascot of just about every Division 1 college (and she is working on learning all of the mascots for Division 3).

Deb Moriarty

2017 - 2018

Dr. Deb Moriarty has served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Towson University since 2004. Prior to her role at Towson University, Deb held positions at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, the University of Michigan (Assistant to the Vice President and Coordinator of Michigan Leadership Initiatives), the University of California San Diego (Assistant Dean – Muir College), and the University of California Los Angeles (Program Coordinator and Special Projects).

Her involvement in NASPA included serving as Region II Director from (2012-2016). Current professional and community involvements include serving Board of Directors (and past President) of the Towson Chamber of Commerce and on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Baltimore’s Collegetown Network. Prior to becoming involved in NASPA, Deb had extensive involvement with the National Association of Campus Activities from 1990 – 2010 where she helped form the Far West Region. Recognitions during her time at TU include, the 2009 Daily Record’s “Maryland’s Top 100 Woman”, Maryland/DC Campus Compact’s Institutional Leadership Award (2013), the Baltimore County Commission for Women with the “2014 LaFrance Muldrow Woman Making a Difference Award.” 

Deb earned a B.S. from Southern Connecticut State College in Recreation & Leisure Education, a M.S. from Southern Illinois University in College Student Personnel and a Ph.D. from the University of California Los Angeles in Higher Education. Her dissertation was entitled “Leadership and the college experience: Changes in an undergraduate’s perception of their leadership ability.

Penny Rue

2018 - 2019

Penny Rue joined Wake Forest University as Vice President for Campus Life and Professor of Counseling in July 2013. She serves as Vice President for Campus Life, with a broad responsibility for the well-being and safety of our students and their commitment outside the classroom.

Dr. Rue served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of California San Diego for six years. She is nationally known for her creative leadership in strengthening campus communities.

She served for five years as Senior Associate Dean of Students at Georgetown University and for seven years as Georgetown's Director of Student Programs. Earlier in her career she held posts at The University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Dr. Rue has a doctorate degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland, where her dissertation research focused on a conceptual study of community on the college campus. Rue has taught the Capstone class in the San Diego State University Master’s Program in Student Affairs and College Student Development in the Higher Education doctoral program at the University of Virginia. She has a Master’s degree in student personnel services from The Ohio State University, from which she received the Maude Stewart Outstanding Alumna Award in 2011, and an A.B. magna cum laude in English and Religion from Duke University.  In 2011 she was named a Pillar of the Profession by the NASPA Foundation. She has served on the NASPA Board of Directors as both Public Policy Division Chair and Board Chair.

At Wake Forest University Dr. Rue supervises several departments, including Residence Life and Housing, Office of the Dean of Students, Wellbeing, Campus Recreation, Student Health Service, the Office of the Chaplain and University Police.