Shruti Desai Assistant Vice President McKendree University Stacey Reece Director, Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership Eastern Washington University Raul Fernandez Lecturer, Higher Education Administration Boston University Veronica Riepe Director of Student Involvement University of Nebraska-Lincoln Anne Flaherty Dean of Student Life Butler University Smita Ruzicka Assistant Vice President Tulane University Darryl Holloman Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/DOS Georgia State University Nicole Letawsky Shultz Assistant Dean University of Minnesota Joel Perez Vice President/Dean of Students Whittier College Nanette Vega Executive Director University of Miami
Shruti Desai Assistant Vice President McKendree University Shruti Desai serves as Assistant Vice President at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois and is a current doctoral student at Maryville University. Shruti s research examines resilience in women of color in Senior Student Affairs Officer roles. Prior to joining McKendree, Shruti held professional roles in Residence Life at Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Kansas, and Texas Tech University. Shruti has worked to lead systemic change for LGBT and individuals of color for students and professional staff. Shruti presents regionally and nationally on identity conscious supervision, creating supportive cultures for marginalized identities, building a culture of assessment, and resilience. Shruti is an alumnus of the Social Justice Training Institute (SJTI) as well as a past faculty and intern with SJTI. Her passion lies around getting beyond the false binary of race in America, examining identity as intersections of power and privilege and data as storytelling. Shruti has received numerous awards including NASPA s Asian Pacific Islander Knowledge Community mid-level professional of the year as well as the James R. Holobaugh award for outstanding service to the LGBT community and Advisor of the Year. Shruti was recently accepted to the NASPA Supporting, Expanding, and Recruiting Volunteer Excellence (SERVE) academy. Shruti holds a B.A. in Psychology from Mercer University and a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia. Shruti lives in St. Louis with her incredible wife and their zoo of two dogs and a cat!
Dr. Raul Fernandez is a lecturer in the Higher Education Administration program and the director of the online Ed.M. program at the Boston University School of Education. He is a well-recognized leader and accomplished speaker on issues of diversity and inclusion, with hundreds of faculty, staff and students at dozens of campuses and conferences having attended his workshops. Dr. Raul Fernandez Lecturer, Higher Education Administration Boston University He/Him/His Raul s signature workshop Blind Spots challenges participants to examine their background, beliefs and biases while identifying areas where they can do the work and grow. He s facilitated versions of Blind Spots doe deans, faculty and administrators, doctors and nurses, high school teachers and tutors, resident assistants, campus activities boards and orientation leaders. He is a representative of NASPA s Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice Division and was recently accepted to ASHE s National Early Career Faculty Workshop. He is also a local elected official, serving as a Town Meeting Member for Brookline s 9 th Precinct.
Dr. Anne Flaherty Dean of Student Life Butler University and Management also from the University of Kansas. Anne Flaherty had led in Student Affairs for the past twenty years. Since 2013, she has been the Dean of Student Life at Butler University and was the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs during 2016-2017. Prior to her current campus, Anne served as Assistant Dean for Medical Student Affairs at Indiana University School of Medicine, the University of Kansas Medical Center as Assistant Dean of Students and Registrar, and Director of Residence Life at Park University. Anne earned a Bachelor s degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa, a Master s in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs Administration from the University of Kansas, and a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration, with a minor in Health Policy Anne has been a member of NASPA throughout her career. A highlight of her NASPA involvement was serving as a co-chair for the NASPA IV-West conference in Breckenridge, Colorado and starting the NUFP program at the University of Kansas. Anne and her husband, Steve, have three sons.
Dr. Darryl Holloman Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students Georgia State University He/Him/His Darryl B. Holloman serves as Associate Vice President for Student Affair and Dean of Students at Georgia State University. Dr. Holloman holds the following degrees from Georgia State University: Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Policy Studies (Ph.D.), Masters of Public Administration (MPA), and Bachelor in Arts, with a concentration in Creative Writing. He has served in the role of Assistant Vice President for Life and an Assistant Professor at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, has worked at The Rutgers University of New Jersey-Newark campus, and served as a full-time faculty member at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Dr. Holloman has experience in Greek life, Judicial Affairs, Orientation, Diversity Affairs, Disability Services, Campus Recreation, Student Union and Facility management, Career Services, Student programming, Residence Life and Housing, Volunteer Services, Dining Services, Student Leadership programs, Academic Advising and Faculty Program Coordinator for Student Affairs, student conduct and crisis management. He has presented over 70 research papers at conferences of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division F and J, the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), College Student Educators International (ACPA) and Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU). Dr. Holloman has several articles and book chapters to his credit. Dr. Holloman s research agenda examines how cultural identities and cultural distinctions shape college experiences. His most recent book through Peter Lang Press is entitled From Boyhood to Manhood: Deconstructing Black Masculinity through a Life Span Continuum. Dr. Holloman and his spouse of 24 years live with their two children (Delbert and Delvin) in the Greater Atlanta Metropolitan.
Dr. Joel Pérez Vice President/Dean of Students Whittier College He/Him/His Dr. Pérez, a native of Southern California, returned to serve as the Vice President Dean of Students at Whittier College, a private, historically Quaker, liberal arts, Hispanic/Minority Serving Institution located in Southern California. Over 60% of the students that attend Whittier College are students of color. Prior to arriving to Whittier College, he served as Dean of Students for Community Life at Seattle Pacific University and in a variety of roles in residence life, student activities, student leadership, and as a Chief Diversity Officer at George Fox University in Oregon and Pomona College and Chapman University in California. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from Biola University, his M. Ed. In College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University, and his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Claremont Graduate University. His doctoral dissertation was entitled Factors that Motivate Faith-Based Institutions to Pursue Change in the Area of Ethnic Diversity. Over the last 15 years, he has served in various leadership roles at the regional and national level with NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, currently serving as the national co-chair for the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. In this role he is actively creating space for Latinx professionals to find mentoring and professional development. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Degrees of Change, an organization whose mission is to help communities and colleges equip students to learn together through college and lead together back at home. He is considered a leader in higher education on leading institutional change in diversity and supporting undocumented students. On a personal note, he has been married over 20 years and has four children. He is a first generation college graduate and Spanish was his first language. He is an avid baseball fan, following his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers since childhood.
Stacey Reece serves as the Director of Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership. In this position, she supervises three professional staff members, three graduate assistants and five undergraduate staff members. As the director, Stacey oversees over 150 student organizations, the sorority and fraternity community, Eagle Entertainment (student programming board), Eagle Sound Productions and general studentfocused campus programs, such as Homecoming, Neighbor Fest and Senior Send Off. Stacey Reece Director, Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership Eastern Washington University development in 2012. Stacey advises the student government of Eastern Washington University (ASEWU). She began her career at EWU in 2001 as the advisor for Student Organizations and Greek Life. From February 2004 to June 2013, she served as the director for Student Rights and Responsibilities. Stacey is an EWU graduate, earning a Bachelor's degree in education in 1999 and a Master s degree in science, focusing on organizational communication and student
Dr. Veronica Riepe Director of Student Involvement University of Nebraska-Lincoln Veronica Riepe, Ph.D., is Director of Student Involvement at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln where she has been since 2010. She previously served as Director of the Rogalski Center and Student Activities at St. Ambrose University in Iowa, as a Residence Hall Director at Emporia State University in Kansas and the Assistant Director of Student Services at William Penn University in Iowa. Her NASPA experience includes serving on the IV-West Regional Advisory Board and Cabinet as the Knowledge Community Co-Coordinator, a position she has held since 2014. She has also served on a variety of IV-West Regional Conference Committees and as the Registration Chair for the 2012 and 2013 IV-West Regional Conferences as well as Major Speakers Co-Chair for the 2014 conference. NASPA IV-West awarded her the Outstanding Mid-Level Professional in 2014. Veronica was previously involved with the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) serving as the Iowa Unit Coordinator and Chair of Graphics/Publications for the Upper Midwest Region and was named the region s Outstanding New Professional in 1998. She has made numerous presentations at various regional and national events throughout the years. Veronica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College, her Masters of Arts degree from Emporia State University, and her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Illinois State University. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, attend Husker athletic events, being a Big Sister to Olivia, and raising money for Big Brothers Big Sister.
Dr. Smita Ruzicka Assistant Vice President Tulane University Dr. Smita Ruzicka is an Assistant Vice President for Campus Life at Tulane University. In this role, she oversees three units that focus on new student orientation, student organization management, Greek Life, student government advising, campuswide programming and leadership programming. Additionally, Dr. Ruzicka oversees all operations of the Lavin-Bernick Center, which serves as both a conference and student center. Dr. Ruzicka joined Tulane University in July 2015. Before this time, she served in various leadership positions at the University of Texas at Austin from 2003-2015. Smita has taught various academic courses at both institutions including first year seminar classes and courses on leadership as well as diversity and social justice education. Dr. Ruzicka holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Texas at Austin. She also has a Master s degree in counseling psychology from Texas State University. She received her undergraduate degree in English and Psychology from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Smita worked as a licensed professional mental health therapist and licensed supervisor for counseling interns in the State of Texas for many years, including having her own counseling private practice where she provided therapeutic services to both individuals and couples. Smita is also an organizational diversity and leadership consultant who has over 12 years of experience training and consulting with a wide variety of groups on topics including leadership development, diversity and social justice education as well as organizational team building and strategic planning. Smita has been very active in various community and civic engagement activities including serving as the chair for the professional development committee of the Board for NASPA s Center for Women. Her other activities in the community include being a member of the Essentials Class for Leadership Austin, serving as a Lead Facilitator for LeaderShape, a national organization designed to promote and educate college students throughout the country on campus based leadership. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Indian American Coalition of Texas from 2012-2015 and the YWCA of Greater Austin from 2003 to 2008.
Dr. Nicole Letawsky Shultz Assistant Dean University of Minnesota Nicole Nikki Letawsky Shultz serves as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and International Programs in the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. In this role, she oversees undergraduate undergraduate recruitment, academic advising, career development, student engagement and leadership programs, and learning abroad initiatives for the college. She has served the NASPA IV-East region as a Regional Advisory Board member, Conference Committee Program Co-Chair, New Professionals Institute Chair, and will serve as the 2018 Conference Committee Co-Chair. A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences related to advising, leadership and organizational development, and learning abroad in STEM fields, Nikki also teaches the capstone course of the Dean's Scholars leadership program and a freshman seminar abroad about creativity and innovation. She is a recipient of the University of Minnesota President's Award for Outstanding Service and the National Association of Academic Advisors Outstanding Administrator Award. Nikki holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Minnesota, a master's degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Alberta.
Nanette Vega Executive Director University of Miami A proud first generation college graduate, Nanette Vega serves as the Executive Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine. Her professional interests focus primarily on access to higher education, creating inclusive environments and developing the next generation of student affairs practitioners. In her role as Executive Director, she provides leadership in developing the School of Medicine s plan to achieve diversity with the goal of enhancing an environment that celebrates the unique contribution of every member. Nanette is responsible for faculty development programs and development pipeline programs for underrepresented students interested in medicine. She has served in a number of administrative capacities to include Assistant Director of Admissions, Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Affairs and Assistant Dean of Students & Director of the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Center. Nanette graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish. She completed her Masters of Arts and a Certificate in Enrollment Management from the University of Miami. Nanette is currently completing her Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Miami. She has presented workshops at numerous conferences on topics such as, cultural competency and first generation college students. She has been recognized with several national and university awards, including the Insight into Outstanding Work with Students, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, and the ACPA Coalition for Multicultural Affairs Outstanding Contribution to Multicultural Education Award. She is a dedicated volunteer and has served as Faculty Member of the NASPA NUFP and Chair of the ACPA Latinx/a/o Network. Currently, she serves as NASPA-FL Case Study Coordinator and the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community Mentoring Chair. She is also a member of the 2018 ACPA Conference Planning Team.