The seed of NASPA is planted

Robert Rienow, dean of men at the University of Iowa, writes a letter to Scott Goodnight, dean of men at Wisconsin, suggesting that a group of deans of men gather gather to discuss issues of importance to student personnel administrators at colleges and universities. Goodnight writes to Thomas Arkle Clark, dean of men at the University of Illinois to set the meeting in motion.

The first gathering occurs

On January 24-25, 1919: Meeting of first six Deans/Faculty that becomes NADAM. Six men met at the University of Wisconsin, hosted by Scott Goodnight, the Dean of Men at the Madison campus. This meeting is recognized as the founding of NADAM which eventually became NASPA, though the group had no name or officers. Retroactively, Scott Goodnight became the first “president,” likely because he hosted the meeting. He was also elected president in 1927.

NASPA gets its first name

Fred Turner's first meeting

Turner was working as a student clerk in Dean Thomas Arkle Clark’s office at the University of Illinois and ran errands for the 1920 meeting.

Stanley Coulter's first meeting

Coulter would eventually lead NASPA as president and was frank in his words. He was once quoted as saying, "The trouble with you boys is you take yourselves too seriously. You musn't do that."

Topics for the second meeting

First mention of NASPA in the news

From “The Daily Illini”, Friday, February 20, 1920

DEANS TO CONSIDER STUDENT PROBLEMS Deans of Men from a dozen universities in the middle west and western states will meet at 9’o clock this morning in the board of trustees chambers, 354 Administration building, to discuss problems affecting student life and activities.

Structure of early meetings

The early gatherings were broken into “sessions”.  Each session had two different attendees present on two different topics with open discussions after each one.  

Development of Office of Dean of Men

At the fourth annual conference hosted by the University of Kentucky, Dean Thomas Arkle Clark delivers an address on the History and Development of the Office of Dean of Men. Clark reports that first Dean of Men office on record was established at the University of Oregon in 1878 by Dean John Straub. However, Dean Straub did not have the title of Dean of Men until decades later. Most sources suggest that it was Dean Clark himself who first held the title Dean of Men at the University of Illinois.

First Meeting Outside of the Midwest

The Fifth Annual Conference is held

Welcome by Dr. Elliott to annual conference

“The greatest practical problem throughout all of our education today is to provide treatment for each student as a separate individual who is taught and trained in terms of his own capacities and needs. Our institutions will be successful, not as smoothly running machines, but as constructive human agencies wherein each student is given a full chance to be what a properly educated person ought to be."

The 6th Annual Conference discusses familiar themes

In the 1924 Secretarial Notes, you can read the discussion of how to increase civic engagement, how to make contact with students who "never get in trouble", and how much a student should expect from their personnel administrators.

The 1925 Conference brings the first research to the fore

First woman attends NADAM meeting

Anne D. Blitz of the University of Minnesota was the first woman to attend a NADAM meeting, as the guest of the host dean, E. E. Nicholson. Ms. Blitz was the Dean of Women.

Dues are adopted

At the 9th annual meeting in Atlanta, the group agreed to impose $10 annual dues for all member institutions.

10th Annual National Association of Deans and Advisers of Men Annual Meeting

10th Annual National Association of Deans and Advisers of Men Annual Meeting

10th Annual National Association of Deans and Advisers of Men Annual Meeting

Stanley Coulter reflects on his duties

“What is a Dean of Men?  I have tried to define him.  When the Board of Trustees elected me Dean of Men I wrote them very respectfully and asked them to give me the duties of the Dean of Men.  They wrote back that they did not know what they were but when I found out to let them know.  I worked all the rest of the year trying to find out.  I discovered that every unpleasant task the president or faculty did not want to do was my task.  I was convinced that the Dean of Men’s office was intended as the dumping ground of all unpleasant things.”The Function of the Dean of Men in The State UniversityStanley Coulter, Dean Emeritus, Purdue University

NADAM becomes official organization name

The organizational title “Conference of Deans and Advisers of Men” was modified and became the National Association of Deans and Advisers of Men (NADAM). This was the historical title of the organization until it became the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) in 1951.

The first committee is established

A "committee on policy" was established to discuss the needs and future of the National Association, as it had previously been a small, informal organization.

First meeting of the wives of the deans

A resolutionis passed that the president of National Association of Deans of Men shall set aside a time and place each year for the wives of the Deans of Men to hold a discussion group on the problems of the wives of the Deans and that it be recommended that the wife of the President each year direct the discussion if it is at all possible for her to attend.

The strawberry conference is held

To bring annual conference to the University of Arkansas, Dean Ripley guaranteed to "provide all the strawberries you can eat" to everybody who attend this meeting. At the closing banquet, Dean Ripley prepared big dishpans filled up with ripe strawberries! Each Dean was given an empty bowl and a pitcher of cream and was told to help himself with all the strawberries!

NADAM adopts a constitution

At the 1932 conference in Los Angeles hosted by UCLA, Dean Gardner recommends the Association adopt a constitution.  After discussing it article by article, the association formally adopts the constitution. Before this , anyone with the title of Dean of Men could join. The constitution clarifies that the member's institution had to be a 4-year institution recognized by its regional accrediting agency. 

Institutional membership begins

“Institutional membership” is established as the basis for membership in NADAM. Each institution got one vote when legislation was considered or decisions needed to be made. An institution, however, could bring to conferences as many representatives as it wished to send.

NADAM's produces its first publication

NADAM/NASPA’s first publication, The Counselor, makes a brief appearance, to be followed by many calls for publications. The Counselor was edited by J. W. Armstrong, Dean of Men at Northwestern University.

Defining Dean or Adviser of Men

At the annual conference, the membership approves the definition of Dean or Adviser of Men as recommended by the Committee on Policy: “That a Dean or Adviser of Men is an administrative officer of an educational institution possessing the training, the authority and the means to aid the individual male student in the solution of his personal problems and to direct his group activities in such a way as to further the student’s development and the general educational program of the institution.”

NADAM considers the international arena

“The Problem of the Foreign Student” was presented by Charles D. Hurry, General Secretary, Y.M.C.A. Committee on Friendly Relations Among Foreign Students, at the 1933 conference held at the Ohio State University.

NADAM gets a little colorful

This is one of the earliest pieces we have that includes color - the cover of the 1934 newsletter.

First image of an annual conference

This is the first image available of participants at the NADAM annual conference. Photos of the conference participants were included in the proceedings through 1948.

NADAM creates its first "paid" position

At the 1936 conference, the members approved an honorarium of $100 for Secretary Fred Turner.

The first hints of the future for deans of men

At the 19th NADAM Annual Conference, W.H. Cowley delivered a speech titled “The Disappearing Dean of Men,” in which he predicted the emergence of the “dean of students” as the central officer of the future in student affairs.

A seminal document is published

The Student Personnel Point of View is published by the American Council on Education. NASPA was represented on the committee by Dr. Donfred Gardner, Dean of Men at the University of Akron and 1937-1938 president of the association.

The first registration fee is instituted

Each member institution is charged $1 for conference attendance, regardless of the number of attendees, per NADAM Executive Committee Minutes, April 1937

"The Dean of Men’s Viewpoint" distributed to members

Fred Turner, Secretary of NADAM, distributes to members, “The Dean of Men’s Viewpoint” by George Small

December 20, 1940, Fred Turner, Secretary of NADAM, distributes to members, “The Dean of Men’s Viewpoint” by George Small, a comprehensive bibliography of the burgeoning SA field.   NADAM stood for Nation Association of Deans of Men and Advisors of Men

World War II dominates the conversation

NADAM moves to notify Secretary of Navy and Secretary of War offering services both as an association and individually. NADAM Executive Committee Minutes, April 25, 1942

Membership reaches all-time high

Membership reaches all time high of 113. Report of Secretary, Executive Minutes, April 15, 1944

1945 annual conference cancelled due to war

Scott Goodnight retires

Dr. Goodnight served as Dean of Men at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1916 until his retirement in 1945. He also taught at in the German Department from 1901 until 1927.

Placement Services informally began

“The Unofficial Placement Service of NADAM” Fred Turner notes that he currently has a file with 40 members seeking jobs. He started this in 1945 when the group wasn't permitted to meet. Executive Committee Minutes, April 27, 1946

NADAM votes not to affiliate with the Council of Guidance & Personnel Associations

NADAM was invited to affiliate with the Council of Guidance & Personnel Associations. The Executive Committee voted to stay unaffiliated, in part because of institutional rather than individual dues structure. Executive Committee Minutes, April 20, 1947

First consideration of NADAM name change

At the meeting on March 22, 1948, a proposed name change was discussed.  Wesley P. Lloyd of Brigham Young University reported on the results of a surveyof the membership regarding the association's name. The members discussed “the need for a title which more nearly describes the duties of the members.” None of the five proposed name changes included the word "men." In a vote, 27 agreed that the name should be changed. Sixty-three did not.

First proposal to combine with ACPA

At the 1948 annual conference in Dallas hosted by Southern Methodist University, the group discussed joining with ACPA.  Eighty-two voted to continue independently. Six voted to join.

Conference attendence exceeds 200

At the 1949 conference in Highland Park, Illinois, conference attendance exceeds 200 for the first time. The full list of conference attendees appears in the conference proceedings.

Student Personnel Point of View is revised

Revision of “The Student Personnel Point of View” emphasizing democracy, international understanding and cooperation, (a response to World War II) is published. The committee is chaired by E.G. Williamson who would serve as the 1966-67 NASPA President.

First non-continental institution joins

University of Puerto Rico becomes first member outside of the continental U.S. Executive Committee Minutes, March 17, 1950

Fee instituted for placement services

NADAM begins charging $3 for use of placement service. Executive Committee Minutes, March 31, 1951

NADAM changes its name to NASPA

NADAM takes out a loan

NADAM had $800 in its coffers and conference expenses were estimated at $1,800 by Secretary-Treasurer Turner. The Executive Committee voted to take a loan from a bank to cover the costs.

Commissions established to focus on organization issues

First HBCU joins NASPA

Howard University joins NASPA as the first HBCU member institution. Dean of Students Armour J. Blackburn represents Howard in NASPA.

NASPA adopts its principles

First conference theme

The theme for 1953’s annual conference was “Working Administrative Relationships on the campus”.

Placement Services formalized

As a result of Fred Turner choosing to step back from this task, the Association asked Dean Arno Nowotny from UT-Austin to serve as NASPA Placement Officer.

Non-members pay a higher rate for the conference

In 1956’s conference, the executive committee decided to change the previously uniform conference registration fees to $5 for members and $7.5 for non-members.

The role of conference chair is proposed

The proposal that was put forth and approved created the role of the Conference Chairman.  The Chair would need to be nominated by the Committee on Nominations and Place, elected by the members and serve a 3-year term.

Funding is secured for regional conferences

The commission on the Development and Training of Student Personnel Administrators received $40,000 funding for regional conferences from Carnegie Foundation.

First conference chair is elected

John E. Hocutt became the first conference chair of the NASPA annual conference.

First female member joins our ranks

Mary Ethel Ball, Acting Dean of Students, University of Colorado, Boulder, was listed as an “institutional representative” in the roster of members included in a national conference proceeding. She was the first female member of NASPA.

Fred Turner retires from Secretary-Treasurer role

In 1958, Fred Turner decided to leave his role of Secretary-Treasurer after 21 years. Hazel Yates, Fred’s secretary for that whole period, was given a cultured pearl necklace. Fred was given a gasoline driven chain saw (for his cabin in Michigan) and $100 towards a portable television. 

Fred Turner takes on historian role

Despite having just taken a step back the year before, Fred agreed to take on the role of NASPA historian.

Conference location moved due to segregation

The 1961 NASPA annual conference was originally scheduled to occur in Austin, Texas. However, when leadership learned that the hotel would not house African American conference attendees, they moved the conference to Colorado Springs where the president of Howard University was the keynote speaker.

Books on Exhibit

Support for research remains strong

Commission VIII agreed to do a study “The Student and Social Issues" and petitioned the executive committee for support.  The executive committee authorized the study and empowered the President and Chair of the Commission to contract with one of more foundations for financial support to conduct the study and publish the results.

NASPA launches its journal

In 1963, NASPA published the first issue of the NASPA Journal. The journal was edited by Dean Thomas Emmet at the University of Detroit.

First Careers in Student Personnel Work brochure published

College Student Personnel Work as a Career was first published in 1963.  The 2nd publication run in 1964 was 10,000 copies and about 100 were mailed every week upon request. 

Donald DuShane elected Region V Vice President (Then Region VI)

First Region V President

The need for a central office is discussed

The locations recommended for the office were Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis (the goal was to be centrally located so that it was easy to travel). There was a desire to have an office in Washington, DC; , but it was considered too expensive. “THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERIM NATIONAL OFFICE WITH ADEQUATE SECRETARIAL HELP AND WITH GOOD OFFICE EQUIPMENT FOR SECRETARIAL WORK, REPRODUCTION OF MATERIALS, FILING, AND RECORD KEEPING” was among the recommendations from the budget committee. They also proposed “THE HIRING OF A FULL TIME SECRETARY (EXECUTIVE) WITH ADDITIONAL BUDGET PROVISIONS FOR SOME PART TIME HELP. Functions to be carried on in the office would be: Central record keeping; membership; finances; Mailings for conference, membership campaign, work for Regional Vice-Presidents, Placement; Preparation of materials under direction of members of Executive Committee; and other duties as assigned.”

Student Affiliates attend the conference for the first time

Region II elects Joseph Cole first Regional Vice President

Region I's first Regional Vice President (RVP) is William Swantzbaugh, Dean of Students at Amherst College

Channing Briggs elected president of Region V

Portland State University Dean of Students, Channing Briggs was elected the 2nd President of Region V

NASPA establishes Central Office.

First permanent NASPA office is created in Detroit, MI. (International Inn-Detroit, a block from Wayne State) “telephones and utilities will be furnished as well as furniture and storage area, secretary’s salary and telephone bill will be handled through the hotel payroll billing.  Cost to NASPA is $180/month including facilities.  Charge for visitors for committee sessions would be $7.50/night

Region II hosts the first Region II Meeting

Region II hosts the first Region II Meeting jointly with the Eastern Association of College Deans and Advisors of Students in Atlantic City, NJ. The registration fee was $5. (This was a precursor to Regional Conferences.)

Regions are officially established

NASPA was divided into 7 Regions, corresponding with the national accreditation associations. Region IV was further divided into East and West due to the large geographical expanse of that Region.

Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research awarded for the first time

NASPA Statement on Student Power

NASPA publishes its Statement on Student Power. The statement was prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee on Student Power chaired by Dr. William Yardley, Vice President for Student Life, University of Houston.

Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education awarded for the first time

The Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education is presented for the first time to Dr. Robert Shaffer, Dean of Students at Indiana University.

Region II Advisory Board Establishes Committee on New Professionals

The Regional Advisory Board establishes the “Committee on New Professionals” headed by Fred Brodzinski, then a doctoral student at Teachers College, Columbia University, designed to be a vehicle for new professionals to become involved in regional activities. Although it wasn’t called so until much later, Fred was the first “Graduate Student Representative” to the NASPA Region II Advisory Board.

Sam Basta elected president of Region V

​Sam Basta, Dean of Students at the University of Nevada Reno, elected president of NASPA Region V.

Resolution is passed to increase diversity among membership

A resolution was approved at the NASPA conference to “increase the active presence of minority groups within NASPA and within the student personnel field.” Carol Anderson, VPSA at Howard University, was appointed chair of a special committee.

Daryl Hagie elected President of Region V

​Daryl Hagie, Dean of Students at Eastern Washington University is elected President of Region V

He earned a doctorate in education and counseling from Washington State University.

Alice Manicur appointed to board

Alice Manicur of Frostburg State University was appointed to the NASPA Board to create a network of female colleagues and encourage their participation and membership in NASPA.

Task force explores consolidation with ACPA and NAWDC

“The first preliminary discussions concerning a single national association of student personnel works were held by representatives from ACPA, NAWDC, and NASPA at U of Tulsa on May 29-21, 1970 and again in September.  Decided not to move forward because 1) size would be too large, 2) diversity of roles and interests, and 3) emotional reactions of existing organizations." But the organizations agreed to collaborate more on certain areas. Report on the Feasibility Task Force

Ken Hawley elected President of Region V

​Ken Hawley, Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students at Lewis and Clark College is elected the President of Region V

Community college task for is created

Fred T. Badders, Dean for Student Development at Southeastern Community College, wrote a letter to December 17, 1971, to Suthern Sims, Vice President for Region III and Dean of Students at University of Georgia) suggesting the creation of a community college division. At the national level, the NASPA Task Force on Community Colleges was created by the Executive Committee to explore services for community college professionals (1972).

Increased discussion of representation of minority groups in higher education and NASPA

Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA is conferred for the first time

Three former NASPA presidents are recognized as the first recipients of the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA: Donald DuShane (1957-58 NASPA President), John E. Hocutt (1955-56 NASPA President), and O.D. Roberts (1968-69 NASPA President).

Robert Bowlin elected President of Region V

​Robert Bowlin, Dean of Men at the University of Oregon elected President of Region V

First female person of color becomes regional vice president

Lenore Cole of American University was the first woman and the first African-American to be elected a regional vice president (Region II).

NIRAD is created

The NASPA Institute for Research and Development (NIRAD) was created during the presidency of John L. Blackburn (University of Denver). NIRAD was created to pursue issues in depth through research, consultations, and publications and would later become the NASPA Foundation.

Official request to change “Outstanding Performance as a Dean” to “Scott Goodnight Award”

Official request to change “Outstanding Performance as a Dean” to “Scott Goodnight Award”

October 15, 1974, official request to Board from NASPA’s Association Personnel & Services Division to change “Outstanding Performance as a Dean” to “Scott Goodnight Award” https://www.naspa.org/awards/s...

Philip Beal elected President of Region V

​Philip Beal, Vice President for Student Life at Pacific Lutheran University is elected President of Region V

https://www.lifestorynet.com/o...

Wesleyan University becomes the 1,000th institutional member.

Alice Manicur is sent to represent NASPA at the White House.

Jim Rhatigan appointed Alice Manicur to represent NASPA at a ‘Tuesday at the White House” on January 14.  This was a series of meetings to offer various segments of society an opportunity to become more familiar with the major arms of government. Manicur asked Caspar Weinberger, Secretary of Health Education and Welfare to talk about Title IX and commented that more needed to be done to make students aware of their rights under Title IX, particularly women.

Executive Director title created

Channing Briggs was the first paid, part-time comptroller of NASPA in 1970. In 1976, hia title was changed to Executive Director. At this time, NASPA's headquarters is located in Portland, Oregon.

First female president

Alice Manicur starts her term as the first woman president of NASPA

Dissertation of the Year Award presented for the first time

The Dissertation of the Year Award is presented for the first time to Barry L. Jackson. Dr. Jackson's dissertation, Identification and Analysis of Activities Related to Developmental Tasks of College Students, was completed the University of Georgia under the supervision of Dr. Ted Miller.In 1986, the Dissertation of the Year Award would be renamed in honor of Dr. Melvene Draheim Hardee.

First hard-cover publication

NIRAD published, “Pieces of Eight,” the first hardcover book from the Association and the result of NIRAD’s first fundraising project

NASPA is incorporated

On November 14, 1978, NASPA was incorporated for the first time so that it would be legally protected against liabilities.

Peter Steiner elected President of Region V

​Peter Steiner, Dean of Students at Olympic College is elected President of Region V

First president elected from a community college

George Young from Broward Community College was elected as the first community college president of NASPA. He served as the 1979-1980 NASPA President.

Placement services has record-shattering year

At the annual conference, there were 1,127 candidates, 410 employers, 712 positions, and 6,500 interviews.  This peak would not be reached again for years.

NASPA's first professional study abroad tour

In accordance with its mission, NASPA’s first professional study abroad tour took place in October and made stops in Paris, London, Heidelbug, and Frankfurt.

First women's meeting

A group of 40 women that became known as the “good old girls” gathered in an unstructured meeting focused on the unique challenges of women in the profession.  Two years later, the group would become the first official NASPA Network: The Women’s Network.

NASPA membership reaches 5,000

The 5,000 member registered was Cheryl Altany-Straus from Florida International University.

A. Jean Hill elected President of Region V - First woman elected to the position!

A. Jean Hill Dean of Students at the University of Puget Sound was elected President of Region V - First woman elected to the position!

1980:  First Female RVP, A. Jean Hill, Dean of Students, University of Puget Sound; she had come in second but took over when elected RVP, Peter Steiner, left region

Equal Access – Equal Opportunity Coordinator position created

In May of 1980, the Association created an Equal Access – Equal Opportunity Coordinator position to facilitate access to positions in NASPA for underrepresented groups.

DC-based Assistant Executive Director position created

The Executive Committee voted to hire an Assistant Executive Director to be house in ACE’s offices in Washington, D.C. with the task to disseminate pertinent information on legislative issues and other critical concerns affecting Chief Student Affairs Officers and the profession. Richard Stevens, VPSA at the University of New Hampshire was appointed to the position.

J. Roger Penn elected President of Region V

​J. Roger Penn, professor in the Division of Advanced Studies in Education at Oregon State University is elected President of Region V

Region I Annual Conference

Region I Annual Conference  in Providence, Rhode Island and themed Commitment to Education, Reflection, and Action in Student Affairs

Central office relocates to Ohio

The Ohio State University was chosen among several options by a vote of the membership.  Staff to be stationed at OSU included the Membership Secretary, Administration Associate, Communications Editor, NASPA Secretary, and Executive Director. By October, all membership and financial records were transferred to computer for the first time.

Conference moved due to lack of equality

The 1981 conference was originally scheduled to take place in New Orleans but Louisiana hadn’t yet ratified the Equal Rights Amendment.  The conference was moved to Los Angeles, even though venue contracts had already been signed.

NASPA Region II co-sponsors the “First Conference on Minority Affairs in Student Services – A Dialogue for Networking” with William Patterson University.

Senator Ted Kennedy is the opening keynote speaker at the annual conference.

Ethnic Minority Caucus recommendations are adopted

At the 1982 conference “a very important resolution about ethnic minority participation in NASPA was passed. Ethnic Minority Caucus had been active for a while.  Resolution sought the following from NASPA:  1. NASPA develop a task force to assess needs of ethnic minority membership as they relate to PD; 2. NASPA seek to increase the representation and participation of ethnic minority professionals at all levels of the assoc, 3. NASPA continue to develop and support minority awareness programs at state, regional and national levels, 4.  NASPA develop and support an ethnic minority communication network at all levels, 5. NASPA develop and support a national directory of ethnic minority with membership in NASPA which designates those ethnic minorities who are CSAOs, and 6. NASPA communicate with HBCUs to support and promote their participation in NASPA.   From this Ethnic Minority Network was developed through work of Member at Large,Joyce Gibson.

Small College Network is formed

NASPA’s Networks were the precursor to today’s knowledge communities and divisions.  In 1982, the Small College Network was formed.

NASPA Region II hosts “A Conference on the Impact of Computer Technology on Student Affairs” at Philadelphia Hilton.

Legal drinking age increase causes challenges

The legal drinking age in the U.S. was raised from 18 to 21 and campuses were concerned about how they would enforce the change.  An interassociation task force that included ACPA and ACUHO-I was formed to work on campus issues and alcohol education programming.  NASPA was also collaborating with BACCHUS at this time. In February, NASPA adopts guidelines for campus marketing of alcohol.

NASPA Region II and Teachers College, Columbia University establish the Student Development & Retention Consortium

NASPA Region II and Teachers College, Columbia University establish the Student Development & Retention Consortium to help members create focused plans for improving retention using a model designed by Dr. Alexander Astin and Teachers College Professor, Dr. Martha McGinty Stodt.

First African-American president of NASPA

Bob E. Leach, VPSA of Florida State) begins his term as the first African-American president of NASPA.  His campaign message was, “I believe that NASPA must strive to involve more young professionals and representatives from small colleges, community college, and historically black institutions in the work of our organization. We must provide them opportunities for professional development.  Their participation will strengthen our profession and help all of us serve our students better.”

First presidential gavel commissioned

The executive committee agreed to commission Chet Peters of Kansas State University to carve a gavel for each new NASPA president.This began the tradition of the creation of a customized gavel for each NASPA president.

Dues structure is updated

Professional Affiliate: $35 Faculty Affiliate $35 Associate Affiliate $75 Student Affiliate $15 Institutional dues were based on FTE enrollment and total expenditures with a cap of $150-$710. International institution dues were $175.

The Dissertation of the Year award is renamed in honor of Melvene Draheim Hardee.

NASPA Region II hosts the first annual NASPA 2 Regional Conference

NASPA Region II hosts the first annual NASPA 2 Regional Conference at the Downingtown Inn Resort in Downingtown, PA.

Stevens Institute is named

The NASPA/ACE Summer Institute was renamed the Richard F. Stevens NASPA/ACE Institute after he passed away the prior year.

Region I First Female RVP

Sarah Light becomes the first female RVP of Region I. At the time of her election she was the Vice President for Student Affairs at Westfield State.

First joint NASPA/ACPA conference

NASPA and ACPA held their first joint conference in Chicago. The year was the 50th anniversary of the Student Personnel Point of View. The conference theme was “Make No Little Plans: Celebrate our past, design our future”.

NASPA accepted into Higher Education Secretariat

The Washington Higher Education Secretariat is a group sponsored by ACE, to carry out the principle function of assuring coordination and cooperation among numerous higher education related associations.

NASPA adds non-discrimination clause to constitution

These words were added to the NASPA constitution: NASPA does not discrimination on the basis of race, creed, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical disability in the administration of its policies on membership, programs, services, publications, and employment.

A Perspective on Student Affairs

NASPA marks the 50th anniversary of The Student Personnel Point of View with the publication of A Perspective on Student Affairs. The statement was written by the Plan for a New Century Committee chaired by Arthur Sandeen.

NASPA Office moved from Columbus Ohio to Washington D.C.

Late May 1987, moved from Columbus, Ohio to 1700 18th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

Late May 1987, moved from Columbus, Ohio to 1700 18th St., NW, Washington, D.C.

GLB Task Force approved

After being proposed the prior year, NASPA formed a task force on gay, lesbian, and bisexual concerns in response to homophobic incidents and the AIDS epidemic.

MUFP program is proposed

President Tom Goodale first identified creating a funding the Minority Undergraduate Fellows Program.

Russel J. DeRemer elected President of Region V

​Russel J. DeRemer, Dean of Students at Whitman College is elected President of Region V

Russel J. DeRemer, Dean of Students at Whitman College is elected President of Region V
There is a award named after him at Whitman College: Russell J. DeRemer Award for Outstanding Involvement in Student. Services

In January, the IRS officially designated NASPA as a 501©3 nonprofit organization.

NASPA Networks are formalized

In a restructure of task forces, networks and advisory groups, the following networks were approved: new professionals, small colleges, fraternities and sororities, ethnic minorities, gay, lesbian, and bisexual, urban institutions, women in student affairs, adult learners, and community colleges.

MUFP program begins

NASPA’s Minority Undergraduate Fellows Program began in fall of 1990 and was piloted for three yeares in Regions II, IV-E, and IV-W.

Enrollment Management network established.

Disability network established

NIRAD becomes the NASPA Foundation

Region I Professional Development Grants

Region I offers its First Professional Development Grants to members for regional conference.

Maya Angelou keynotes the annual conference

Region I and II Host first Joint Regional Mid-Managers Institute

West Virginia moves from Region IV-E to Region II.

MUFP advances from pilot phase to all 7 regions.

Region I International Education Network

International Education Network Created for the purposes of encouraging professional connections with colleagues in other countries

Kevin Kruger is hired as the Assistant Director of NASPA.

The NASPA diamond first appears as part of an official logo.

Gwen Dungy hired as Executive Director.

In 1995, Gwendolyn Jordan Dungy joined the Association as the Executive Director. It was under Gwen's leadership that the Association expanded professional development opportunities, created the Knowledge Communities, and diversified the organization's publication offerings.

Public Policy Division is added

GLB Concerns Network becomes GLBT Concerns Network

NASPA Region II Establishes Web Site

NASPA Region II establishes the first NASPA Region II web site, hosted by SUNY Geneseo. Jeffrey Putman is appointed the first Regional Webmaster. The site is moved to the NASPA servers in 2000 and can be found at NASPA2.org.

Region I Silent Auction

Region I's Sheila Murphy and Sue Brady host the regions first silent auction.

J. Michael Hostetler elected President of Region V

​J. Michael Hostetler, Vice President for Student Affairs at Lewis-Clark College elected President of Region V

James Michael Hostetler, Vice President for Student Affairs at Lewis-Clark College elected President of Region V

First female person of color elected president

Doris Ching, Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Hawaii-Manoa, serves as the 1999-2000 NASPA President. She is the first woman of color and first Asian-American Pacific Islander NASPA President.

First online membership survey

NASPA conducted its first online membership survey and NASPA drew an almost 90% approval rating.

NASPA membership reaches 8,000

NASPA Region II hosts “Caribbean Symposium: Student Development and Enrollment Management”, the first Regional Conference in Puerto Rico

In 1999 NASPA Region II hosts the “Caribbean Symposium: Student Development and Enrollment Management”, the first Regional Conference in Puerto Rico at the San Juan Grand Hotel.

Civil rights activist Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, is the closing speaker at the annual conference.

NASPA Journal moves to an electronic format.

Faculty Fellows established

Dr. Stan Carpenter was serving as a Director at Large on the NASPA Board and tasked with creating new opportunities for faculty to become engaged with NASPA. He proposed the creation of the Faculty Fellows which would bring together 12 faculty (including practitionners who taught on an adjunct basis). Dr. Theresa Powell appointed the first group of 8 Faculty Fellows in 2002. NASPA Faculty Fellows Group was formed to provide consultation and contributions to NASPA in the following areas:  Direct policy input on such issues as quality assurance in student affairs, diversity, and graduate preparation issues;Promote scholarship as part of the professional responsibility for all faculty and practitioners; andProvide direction about NASPA research priorities and initiatives.

Leadership Exchange is launched

Leadership Exchange, a quarterly magazine focuses on critical issues of relevance to senior student affairs officers and provides an additional forum for discussion and information sharing.

James E. Scott is honored with a namesake event

In July, the NASPA board of directors unanimously approved the renaming of the National Academy for Leadership and Executive Effectiveness in honor of past president, James E. Scott. The James E. Scott Academy is led by a board comprised of 20 accomplished vice presidents for student affairs (or the equivalent) who lead divisions at a wide variety of institutional types throughout NASPA's seven regions. The primary role of the Board is to provide advice and thought leadership on critical issues in student affairs and higher education and to advise the NASPA president and staff regarding these issues.  Additionally, the Board plays a key role in identifying principles of effective student affairs practice for recognizing and responding to the trends and challenges present in the field and in higher education more broadly.  Lastly, the Academy sponsors programs that provide opportunities for VPSAs to dialogue and learn with other vice presidents.

First Small College Institute is held.

Region I Mid-Level Institute

Region I's David Zamojski hosted the regions first Mid-Level Institute to support mid-level professionals in career development.

Region II hosts Regional Conference to support Lower Manhattan, NYC Following 9/11

Learning Reconsidered

In partnership with ACPA, NASPA publishes Learning Reconsidered: A Campus-Wide Focus on the Student Experience. The purpose of Learning Reconsidered is "to re-examine some widely accepted ideas about conventional teaching and learning, and to question whether current organizational patterns in higher education support student learning and development in today’s environment."

First NASPA Multicultural Institute is held

NASPA Excellence Awards are created

The NASPA Foundation President is named a voting member of the NASPA Board

First Student Affairs Law and Policy Conference Held

NASPA holds the first Student Affairs Law and Policy Conference in Las Vegas. The conference is presented in collaboration with the Association for Student Judicial Affairs (ASJA) and the Stetson University College of Law.

Region I Annual Conference

Region I's Annual Conference included presentations from three different countries, Italy, Ireland, and Canada.

Journal of College and Character Joins NASPA's Portfolio of Publications

NASPA welcomes the Journal of College and Character as a partner and offers the publication as a member benefit. The Journal of College and Character was created in 1999 by Jon Dalton, director of the Hardee Center for Leadership and Ethics at Florida State University. Dr. Dalton was also the 1995-1996 NASPA President.

First NASPA President to testify in front of US Dept of Labor

Dr. Jan Walbert was invited to testify on issues of college safety by the US Department of Labor.

NASPA purchases DC office

Journal about Women in Higher Education Launches

NASPA launches the Journal about Women in Higher Education. In the editor's note, Barbara K. Townsend and Susan B. Twombly describe the Journal's mission, "The Journal focuses on women in higher education: students, student affairs staff, other staff and administrative groups, and faculty. The intended audience is anyone who cares about highlighting and improving the experiences of women in higher education." In January 2019, the Journal would be officially renamed the Journal About Women in Higher Education after a two year review process.

Professional Competency task force is created

NASPA President Mike Segawa and ACPA President Tom Jackson, convened a task group to discuss professional standards and competencies in student affairs.  The group was chaired by Marilee Bresciani, Director of NASPA’s Professional Standards Division, and Dwayne Todd from ACPA.

NASPA Region II Establishes Social Media Presence

During the 2009 NASPA Annual Conference, Region II debuts social media presence on Facebook and Twitter (both at @NASPA2). (A presence on instagram was established, also at @NASPA2, in 2014.) 

NASPA Region II Hosts First Regional Conference in West Virginia

NASPA Region II hosts the first regional conference in the State of West Virginia “Region II: Mountains of Opportunities” was held at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.

DC Office Open House

An open house was held in 2010 to celebrate the opening of the new NASPA office at 111 K Street NE in Washington, DC.  

NASPA Region II Returns to New York City

NASPA Region II returns to New York City, hosting the regional conference on a campus for the first time. “Bridging Communities, Transforming Lives”, was held at CUNY John Jay College & was the largest regional conference in NASPA Region II history at the time with over 400 members in attendance.

NASPA Region II hosts 30th Anniversary Region II Conference

NASPA Region II hosts the 30th Anniversary NASPA Region II Regional Conference at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Region II hosts second NYC Regional Conference in 3 Years

NASPA Region II hosts a second regional conference in three years in New York City at CUNY John Jay College. The 2016 NYC conference was, once again, the largest in NASPA Region II history, attracting just over 600 attendees.

Region II Establishes Strategic Initiatives

Under the leadership of NASPA Region II Regional Director Kathy Woughter, the Regional advisory board develops “Strategic Initiatives”, it’s first formal strategic plan, to respond to the NASPA National Strategic Plan. See our current "Strategic Initiatives" on our regional web site.

NASPA Region II Hosts Largest Region II Conference with 630 Attendees

NASPA Region II's 2018 Regional Conference in New York City, hosted by New York University, broke the previous attendance record with over 630 attendees!

NASPA Region II and Region III Announce First Ever Joint Regional Conference

NASPA Region II and NASPA Region III announce the first ever joint Regional Conference between Region II and Region III in Washington, DC in June 2019!

NASPA turns 100