The 2025 NASPA Annual Conference was held March 15-19 in New Orleans and brought together more than 6,000 student affairs professionals in an exchange of innovative ideas and best practices. Texas A&M was well-represented with 80 Division of Student Affairs staff members who attended workshops, presented educational sessions and networked with colleagues from higher education institutions around the globe.

Year after year, Division of Student Affairs staff, as well as aspiring graduate students in the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education program (SAAHE), look forward to attending NASPA for engaging professional development opportunities, a place to discuss emerging thought leadership and trends and to share best practices with colleagues.

"Texas A&M's Division of Student Affairs had a strong presence at NASPA this year, with our staff contributing to meaningful conversations on student success, well-being and career development," said Dr. Justin Jeffery, assistant vice president for student affairs and NASPA Foundation board member. "What sets us apart at a conference like this is our commitment to a holistic, student-centered approach — whether through innovative well-being initiatives, strategic engagement efforts or our ability to scale impactful programs across a large and dynamic student body."

Some macro-level takeaways from the conference included innovative strategies for supporting a culture of change within the profession of student affairs and utilizing emerging technologies to streamline student support services.

"Key themes from this year's conference were the evolving role of student affairs professionals in addressing mental health, leveraging technology and fostering belonging in an increasingly complex higher education landscape," shared Jeffery. "I'm excited about the ways we can bring these insights back to Texas A&M to further support our students and staff."

Several Texas A&M staff members participated in this year's programming, presenting during educational sessions highlighting the division's student-centered approach and support services. 

"Division staff contributions to the field are often sought after at NASPA," shared Dr. Vicki Dobiyanski, associate vice president for student affairs. "Colleagues from around the country enjoy learning from Aggies."

One highlight from these contributions to the conference was a presentation from Career Center Staff who shared key takeaways from a unique internship opportunity designed for students interested in pursuing a career in student affairs.

Presented by a panel including Michael Shehane, Ph.D., Amarette Renieri, Kellie Malone, Jasmine Zenn and Jessica McDermand, "How the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Internship Develops Future Student Affairs Professionals" reflected on the past 15 years of the internship program and included interns from previous years who discussed the impact of the program on their career trajectory.

"Investing into the student affairs profession with undergraduate students is vital to sustaining the profession," said presenter Amarette Renieri. "Through the HESA internship, we get to help students learn and apply student development theory while gaining skills and co-advising a student org. It's a wonderful model, developed by one of our very own presenters, Michael Shehane, and being able to share this model with others who are just as passionate about career development work in student affairs really renews my excitement."

Other notable educational sessions presented by division staff were "So, You Want To Be An AVP? Considerations For Those Aspiring to The AVP role" by Dobiyanski, “¡Aquí para ti!: Student Success and Holistic Wellbeing Strategies For Hispanic-Serving Institutions & Leaders” by Giovanni Negron-Garcia, career services coordinator in the Career Center and executive board member for a NASPA Knowledge Community, and "Family Isn't a Bad F Word: Engaging Families to Increase Student Success" by Dr. Libby Daggers, assistant director, and Alex Hersperger, program manager in Student Life.

"Our session focused on how higher education professionals can work with family members of current students," said Daggers. "Alex and I both felt passionately about highlighting the crucial role family members play in student success and how work happening within Student Life's New Student and Family Programs office could be used as a model for other universities."

Renieri is also one of several Division of Student Affairs staff members who have taken on larger roles within the NASPA organization. Renieri is a chair for the Student Career Development Knowledge Community. Her colleague also representing the Career Center, Giovanni Negron-Garcia, is the executive board member for a NASPA Knowledge Community. Jeffery became a member of the NASPA Foundation board, and Dr. Darby Roberts from Student Affairs Planning, Assessment & Research is taking on a new leadership role in an at-large position on the NASPA Board of Directors.

"NASPA has been my professional development home for 30-plus years," said Roberts, who also presented during educational sessions. "There are so many ways to get involved with the association that I've been able to take part in over the years, and I'm excited to take on a new leadership role as an at-large member of the board of directors. NASPA has a challenging job of addressing the needs of 15,000 members from a variety of institutions across the country and around the world, so my role assisting in creating a strategic plan that provides representation for everyone, and Texas A&M, is exciting."

With the Division of Student Affairs staff members both contributing to and benefiting from the collective wisdom found at NASPA, it's a valuable experience for all who attend.

"NASPA is always a great way to build connections and gather together to celebrate accomplishments, recognize where we are strong in the work we do at Texas A&M, and discover new ideas to positively impact students, faculty and staff," said Andrew Carruth, an assistant director in Student Activities and 2025 conference attendee. "I'm already looking forward to next year."