NASPA Alabama

The Future Leader Award recognizes outstanding contributions by a graduate student. Nominees have made a significant contribution to their campus, demonstrated academic achievement, exceeded the expectations of their respective leadership positions, assumed a leadership role at their institution and demonstrated potential for substantial contributions to the student affairs profession.

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

The Rising Star Award recognizes outstanding contributions by a new professional in student affairs. Nominees demonstrate initiative, contribute to programs that address the needs of students and the institution, and create campus environments that promote student learning and personal development.

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III William Leftwich Award for Outstanding New Professional.

The Outstanding Contribution to Student Engagement Award recognizes a professional’s work at the campus level in the area of student programs. This recipient makes contributions above and beyond the assigned duties of their position and has a significant impact on student programs at their institution. 

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III Bob E. Leach Award for Outstanding Service to Students.

The Spirit of Diversity Award exemplifies the spirit of diversity as it applies to a commitment and appreciation for diversity and inclusion. Nominees have provided leadership and direction in fostering a culture of appreciation for multicultural values and the acceptance of individual and group differences.

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award.

The Region III Outstanding Service Award recognizes sustained volunteerism to NASPA at the state, regional, or national level through involvement in multiple branches (regions, knowledge communities, divisions, and groups) of the association. The recipient should have demonstrated significant impact on NASPA as an association through volunteer service. 

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III John Koldus Award for Distinguished Service to NASPA Region III in instances where the recipient has held membership in NASPA for 10 years.

The Outstanding Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award recognizes a mid-level student affairs professional who has demonstrated professional responsibility for the direction, oversight, and/or supervision of one or more student affairs functional areas, and/or one or more professional staff members.  The recipient should have a record of innovative programming that has had a significant impact on their respective campus.  Additionally, the recipient should demonstrate service to NASPA through volunteerism and/or leadership roles held at the state, regional, national or international level.

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III James E. Scott Outstanding Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award.

The Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs Through Teaching Award recognizes a professional with responsibility for teaching graduate or professional school students who wish to pursue a career in higher education administration and student affairs. The award recipient should demonstrate consistent and excellence mentorship for graduate students as well as scholarly achievement and contribution across the profession.

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs through Teaching Award.

The Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer Award recognizes a senior administrator who serves as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at their respective institution.  The recipient should be seen as collaborative, effective, and inspirational on their campus and have a high level of competency in developing staff. The CSAO should demonstrate exemplary managerial and administrative skills as well as leadership in campus and community initiatives. Additionally, this award recognizes a CSAO who has made significant contributions to professional associations through scholarship, leadership, and volunteerism.

The recipient of this award will be the NASPA-AL nominee for the Region III John Jones Award for Outstanding Performance as a Senior Student Affairs Officer.

NASPA-AL has 4 volunteer NASPA-AL Committees:

Professional Development Committee

• The NASPA-AL Professional Development Coordinator seeks talented, organized, and committed NASPA-AL members to be a part of the Professional Development Committee. The Professional Development Committee will help to design, implement, and evaluate accessible professional development and engagement opportunities and events including, but not limited to, webinars, roundtables, panel discussions, digital content, and/or trainings in synchronous and/or asynchronous formats. Events presented by this committee should foster collaboration and engagement among the state’s membership. 

Recognition Committee

• The NASPA-AL Recognitions Coordinator seeks talented, organized, and committed NASPA-AL members to be a part of the Recognition Committee. The Recognition Committee maintains oversight of NASPA-AL’s awards and recognition program, which includes the recruitment of nominations, review and selection process for annual awards, grant submissions, and scholarship recipients. The committee will assist in reviewing scoring rubrics for the selection of awards, scholarships, and grants on an annual basis and will assist to ensure that all nominations meet established criteria. Annually, the committee will conduct a review of NASPA-AL’s recognition efforts and submit recommendations on how the program can be improved and where new recognition opportunities can be recommended. 

Conference Planning Committee:

• The NASPA-AL Conference Chair seeks excited, organized, and committed NASPA-AL members who would be interested in participating as a member of one of the Conference Planning Committee. The Conference Planning Committee will work to review and select program presentations, organize and execute day-of conference needs, assist in developing a plan for outreach and engagement with all institutions across the state to get them informed about the organization and what it offers, and work to obtain sponsorships for the association and annual state conference. 

Communications Committee:

• The NASPA-AL Communications Coordinator seeks organized, creative, and committed NASPA-AL members who would be interested in participating as a member of the Communication Committee. The Communications Committee will be responsible for ensuring the visibility of the association to the public in multiple formats. This committee will help to develop ongoing digital and print content for NASPA-AL social media sites and monthly newsletters as a means to connect and engage constituents and market professional development opportunities presented by NASPA-AL. This committee will annually review the association’s website as needed for updates to event information, board members, and other associated links.

committee interest forms are currently closed

The NASPA-AL institutional liaisons exist to ensure all institutional members are aware of NASPA-AL initiatives, awards, and professional development opportunities. By focusing on key communicators at each member institution, NASPA-AL will broaden our reach to ensure every Student Affairs professional across the state has the necessary information to make use of NASPA resources. 

Structure:

• At the beginning of each academic year, the NASPA-AL Director will contact Chief Student Affairs Officers (VPSAs) to invite them to appoint an institutional liaison. Liaisons should be finalized by October 1 of each year. Each liaison will serve for one year, concluding their service at the end of the Summer semester (unless identified for another term by their respective VPSA). Liaisons will come together once per year for instructional training and an overview of NASPA-AL annual opportunities. This connector experience should take place prior to November 1. 

Committee Participation

• To enhance liaisons' involvement experience with NASPA-AL and to increase outreach and communication to our state’s membership, Institutional Liaisons are expected to serve on one (1) NASPA-AL Committee described below. The committee’s requirements and time commitment will be shared by the Committee Chair/Board Member after selection e-mail are sent.

Method for Communication:

• NASPA-AL institutional liaisons will receive monthly emails from the Communications Coordinator detailing upcoming opportunities, deadlines, and graphics to support promotion of NASPA-AL initiatives, awards, and professional development opportunities. This email will be sent from the naspaal@outlook.com account.

NASPA-AL is looking for qualified candidates to serve on the 2025 Board of Directors with a few upcoming vacant positions to consider applying for that are notated below. Serving on the Board of Directors is a great way to meet others from around the state of Alabama and get involved in a community focused on professional development. 

Board opportunities include:

• State Director Elect (3-year term)
• Secretary/Treasurer (2-year term)
• Conference Chair Elect (2-year term)
• Communications Coordinator (2-year term)
• Member-At Large: 2 positions available (2-year term)
• Graduate Student Representative (1-year term)

The application is open and will remain open until November 30, 2024. At the time of application, candidates should be prepared to upload a professional headshot, bio, and candidate statement regarding their interest in the position.  Elections will take place in January 2025.  Any questions regarding the application and elections process can be directed to the Immediate Past State Director, Jennifer Griffin at griffinj@uab.edu. 

Candidate Application Link: https://uab.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d1h4YWEJOXzAcDA

Master of Education in Instructional Leadership

College of Education

Contact:

Dr. John Prestridge, Program Coordinator

john.prestridge@aamu.edu
256-372-5953

Master of Education in Instructional Leadership

College of Education

Masters in Instructional Leadership: (the traditional Master’s degree and an Education Specialist (Ed.S) options)

College of Education

Jenny Kroft, Academic Advisor

mkroft@aum.edu

Administration of Higher Education M.Ed. (on campus only)

Administration of Higher Education Ph.D. (on campus only)

College of Education

(334) 844-4466

eduinfo@auburn.edu

Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration (on campus and online program offerings)

Ed.D in Higher Education Administration (on campus)

Executive Ed.D in Higher Education Administration (hybrid)

Ph.D in Higher Education Administration (on campus)

College of Education

Contact for MA, Ph.D. and Ed.D programs: Dr. Nathaniel Bray at nbray@ua.edu

Contact for Executive Ed.D program: Dr. Arleene Breaux at apbreaux@ua.edu

Master of Science in Higher Education Administration (online)

School of Education and Human Sciences

Dr. Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif, Program Contact

(205) 934-7530

education@uab.edu

Student Affairs in Higher Education M.Ed. (online)

UWA Online

(844) 900-3037

Master of Science in Counseling Curriculum (on campus, online and hybrid offerings)

Ph.D. in Global Leadership (on campus)

College of Education

1(800) 414-5756