2025 NASPA Western Regional Conference

Presenters:

• DJ Kelly-Quattrocchi, M.S. - Founder & CEO, KQ Consulting & Training LLC
• Destany Charles, M.A. & M.S. - Assistant Director, Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs @ University of California Merced

The NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) is a nationally recognized initiative that aims to diversify the pipeline of student affairs professionals by supporting underrepresented undergraduate students in exploring careers in higher education.
The NUFP Institute is a two-day experience, with sessions held during the second half of day one and first half of day two to allow for connection, reflection, and networking. Designed specifically for NUFP Fellows, the institute provides an intentional space to explore student affairs as a career path through the lens of identity, equity, and social justice. Fellows engage in interactive sessions that address the realities of working in higher education today—including navigating a shifting political landscape—and the importance of bringing one’s full, authentic self to the profession.
Through community-building, graduate school preparation, and deeper conversations about leading with authenticity, the NUFP Institute supports Fellows in building clarity, confidence, and connection as they prepare for a future in student affairs.

The Western Regional Conference invites all community college professionals to attend this year’s two-day Community College Institute. Designed to address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing two-year institutions, this extended experience offers time for deeper engagement, reflection, and action planning.

Over the course of two days, participants will explore key legislative and policy changes impacting community colleges, examine effective advocacy strategies, and engage with trauma-informed practices that promote well-being for both students and practitioners. Sessions will center on real-world application, peer learning, and strengthening equity-driven leadership.

Attendees will walk away with:

• A comprehensive resource list of current legislation and policy guidance affecting community colleges
• Exposure to promising practices from across the region that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access
• Direct experience with trauma-informed strategies that can be operationalized on their own campuses
• A strengthened network of community college colleagues for ongoing collaboration and consultation

Through shared learning and dialogue, this institute empowers community college professionals to lead with care, clarity, and connection in today’s dynamic higher education landscape.

This year’s New Professional and Graduate Student Institute is a half-day experience designed for emerging student affairs professionals and graduate students from all institution types. Rooted in student development theory, the institute will support participants in building both conceptual understanding and confidence in practical application as they navigate the early stages of their careers.
Through interactive activities, small-group discussions, and shared reflection, attendees will explore foundational knowledge while also building connections and community that extend throughout the Western Regional Conference—and beyond. This institute offers a welcoming space to ask questions, gain insight, and feel grounded as part of the broader student affairs profession.

Presenters:

• Dr. Joel Pérez, PCC - Owner and Executive Coach, Apoyo Coaching and Consulting
• Dr. Miguel Ángel Hernández, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students 

The Associate/Assist Vice President (or Chancellors) Institute at this year’s NASPA Western Regional Conference is designed for colleagues from all institution types, focusing on strategies for leading through uncertainty. The day will feature a session on Moral Leadership, offering a framework to help leaders navigate uncertain times. There will be a panel of executive coaches and professional search firm partner who will provide insights on operationalizing the framework discussed and integrating the model into current and future positions. This structure ensures a blend of expert perspectives and peer-driven dialogue on addressing current challenges in higher education leadership.

Presenters:

• Dr. Sue Borrego, Former Interim President, CSU Stanislaus and Former Chancellor & Professor at the University of Michigan, Flint and
• Dr. Clint Michael Reneau, Vice President for Student Affairs, Northern Illinois University

Designed specifically for the senior student affairs officer (reporting to the President), the SSAO institute offers an intimate setting for honest dialogue among colleagues experiencing similar challenges regardless of institutional type. Join this interactive guided discussion with NASPA President, Dr. Amelia Parnell as we explore the shifting landscape of higher education. The format for our institute reflects what former institute participants and SSAO’s in our regions desire - a setting to focus on specific areas of our practice dramatically impacted by the shifting winds of national political influence and executive orders. Bring your questions and ideas to contribute to the discussion as we continue the institute by exploring what leading with vulnerability and courageous leadership requires including leaning into the head and heart of our inner voice.

Presenter: J. Cody Nielsen, Assistant Professor of Higher Education and HESA Coordinator, Western Michigan University, and Executive Director of Convergence Strategies

Higher education's approach for free speech on campus appears to be in rapid shift. While time, place, and manner (TPM) is still the official lens through which we evaluate freedom of expression on campus, institutional administrators continue to move toward what Kristine Bowman and others might describe as a viewpoint neutral approach. This approach has led to concerns around institutions failing to be considered inspiring actors by students, staff, and faculty. Viewpoint diversity offers an approach toward inclusion and equity.

Presenters: 

• Deanna Merino-Contino, Ed.D.,  Associate Vice President of Student Life, UNLV
• Sunny Gittens, Executive Director for Student Involvement & Activities, UNLV

How do we measure what matters? Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide a focused and actionable lens to assess student success. The presenters will share how they implemented the strategic implementation of KPIs across their student life departments, demonstrating how data dashboards, trend analysis, and cross-unit collaboration can enhance retention, engagement, and graduation rates. This program will provide attendees a KPI framework adaptable to their institutions and examples of successful interventions driven by meaningful metrics.

Presenter: Jonathan Kroll, Executive Director, Leadership Trainer

Research suggests that most of us rarely learn how to facilitate trainings. We do what is comfortable and familiar - boring lecture-style slide deck presentations which are ultimately ineffective. This pre-conference workshop will provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to learn the strategies for high-impact trainings. This train-the-trainer pre-con will tactically prepare you to infuse experiential learning activities and reflective dialogue into your sessions so students can internalize learning and then apply it to their practice.

Presenters:

• Sarah Molitoris, Associate Director, Transfer Student Center, UCLA
• Claudia Salcedo, Director, Center for Community College Partnerships, UCLA
• Mauricio Gutierrez, Program Coordinator, Transfer Student Center, UCLA
• Carina Salazar, Director, Transfer Student Center, UCLA

Transferring from community college is the primary pathway for historically underrepresented students in higher education. This workshop will explore creative ways to support historically marginalized students in higher education through the lens of transfer receptive culture. Participants will learn more about transfer students, the transfer pathway, the tenants of Transfer Receptive Culture, how to collaborate to create networks of support for student success, & hear real world examples from practitioners doing the work.