18th Annual MENASA NASPA Conference

Registration as a member is based on individual membership status at the time of the conference. If your current membership will expire prior to the conference, you will have the option to renew at the time of registration to receive the member rate.

If you are not a current member and are employed by a college or university, you can join as an international affiliate member for $80.00USD. NASPA membership provides access to the individual member rate for the conference. Please visit the membership section of the NASPA website to learn more about membership types and benefits. We hope you will consider joining today!

Are you enrolled as a full-time student at a university or college? If so, you are eligible to become a NASPA member at the student rate. Please visit here to find out more information about NASPA student membership.

For a comprehensive listing of NASPA registration policies, please visit this page.

In keeping with the Association's duty to care and responsibility as host, NASPA leadership strongly encourages all participants at NASPA events whether a presenter, attendee, exhibitor, staff, guest, or vendor to be fully vaccinated. Please see the NASPA Global Health, Safety, and Responsibility webpage for complete information about NASPA's policy.

Black Diaspora Knowledge Community 2021 Awards - Congratulations to our Recipients!!

• Umoja Award for Graduate Students- Lordana Guillaume, Florida International University
• Nia Award for Mid-Level Professionals- Adrain Smith, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
• Sankofa Award for Senior Student Affairs Officers- Shawna Cooper-Gibson, PhD, Seton Hall University

Below you will find information about each award.

Umoja Award for Graduate Students

This award is presented to an exemplary graduate student in student affairs and services. This individual is a rising young professional who continuously seeks to integrate their research and practice with the needs of the Black population. The graduate student nominated for this award should demonstrates the principals of the award, Umoja: the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."

Kuumba Award for New Professionals

This award is presented to an exemplary new professional in student affairs and services. This NASPA member has worked 1-4 years in the student affairs field and has contributed in various ways to the student culture on campus and the Black Diaspora Knowledge Community. The new professional nominated for this award should demonstrates the principals of the Kuumba: Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

Nia Award for Mid-Level Professionals

This award is presented to an exemplary mid-level professional in student affairs and services. Mid-level professionals have a minimum of 5 years full-time experience in the student affairs field. This NASPA member has been involved with the organization for a number of years, has been actively involved with the Black Diaspora Knowledge Community. The Mid- Level professional nominated for this award should demonstrates the principals of Nia: Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Sankofa Award for Senior Student Affairs Officer

This award is presented to a Senior Student Affairs Officer that has provided the support and commitment to the Black Diaspora Knowledge Community. This NASPA member has provided leadership and guidance to Blacks in higher education. The Senior Student Affairs Officer nominated for this award should demonstrates the meaning of Sankofa, “teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. That is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward.”