Elon University staff honored at 2025 NASPA annual conference

Elon University staff received recognition during the 2025 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Annual Conference, held March 15–19 in New Orleans. Highlights included a class of 2025 Pillar of the Profession recipient, the 2025 Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award runner-up, and several conference presentations.

Historically, NASPA stands for the National Association Student Personnel Administrators, recently, the association has updated its name to NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The association is dedicated to advancing the student affairs profession and supporting student success through advocacy, research and professional development. With more than 15,000 members representing all 50 states and 25 countries, NASPA is a leading voice in the field, fostering innovation and excellence in student affairs practice and leadership.

Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life and associate professor for education, was named a member of the class of 2025 Pillars of the Profession. Pillars of the Profession recognizes individuals who have served as leaders, teachers and scholars within student affairs and higher education. Nominated by their colleagues, students and peers, selected individuals have provided service to NASPA through regional and/or national leadership, created lasting impact at their institution and have demonstrated a long-standing record of excellence and impact in student affairs and/or higher education throughout their career. Nominators of selected individuals also raise at least $3,500 in their honor to support the NASPA Foundation’s work to advance research and scholarship in student affairs. Each donation invests in the student affairs profession, the next generation of student affairs leaders, and individuals like Dooley who do this vital work daily on college campuses around the world.

With over 30 years of experience in student affairs, Dooley held leadership positions at Marquette University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As vice president for student life, he oversees 16 departments and supports student learning, mentoring, health and well-being, inclusive excellence, multifaith engagement, civic engagement and the residential campus experience

“I am deeply humbled and grateful to my Elon University colleagues for nominating me and to the NASPA Foundation for naming me one of the 2025 Pillars of the Profession,” said Dooley during his acceptance remarks. “This recognition is as much about the communities and individuals who shape us as it is about the honorees themselves. Reflecting on my own career in student affairs, I’m reminded of the countless students, colleagues, mentors and friends who have inspired me to grow as an educator and professional.”

Another notable accomplishment was Brandy Propst, director of Elon 1010 and adjunct assistant professor of education, being named the 2025 Melvene D. Hardee Dissertation of the Year award runner-up. Supported by the NASPA Foundation, this award honors exceptional doctoral research completed by individuals currently working in or planning to pursue a career in student affairs.

Propst’s dissertation, grounded in Sista Circle Methodology and Black Feminist Theory, examines the workplace experiences of Black women student affairs professionals at historically white institutions (HWIs), focusing on critical incidents involving white women colleagues. Findings from her study highlight how these interactions often result in structural violence and racialized harm while ultimately influencing their career trajectories. The study also identifies the tools, strategies and support systems Black women use to navigate and succeed in these environments.

With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, Propst has expertise in new student programs, first-year experiences, student success and retention and graduate admission and enrollment management.

“I’m very grateful for the support and celebration of my award from my Elon Student Life colleagues during NASPA! My dissertation research is very personal to me, so I am truly appreciative that my work was recognized for such a prestigious award,” Propst stated. “This award has elevated my work as a Black-Feminist scholar-practitioner as I continue to center my scholarship and service to the field on the experiences and needs of Black women student affairs professionals.”

Along with Dooley and Propst, several Elon staff members presented at the conference.

Presentations included:

• Luis Garay, director of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center, who co-presented “What is Motivating You?: The Experiences of and Considerations for BIPOC Mid-level Professionals Pursuing a Doctoral Degree.”
• Megan Noltemeyer, assistant to the vice president for Student Life and director of strategic initiatives, and Jonathan McElderry, dean of student inclusive excellence and assistant professor, who presented “Equity & Excellence: Transforming Student Life at Elon University.”
• Laké Laosebikan-Buggs, director of inclusive excellence for graduate and professional education, who was a featured speaker during a pre-conference workshop “Striking a Balance: Understanding the Connection and Impact of Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence.”
• Propst, served as faculty co-lead for “Sowing Seeds – Providing a Counterspace for Leadership Development and Advancement” during the African American Women’s Summit Pre-conference.
• Stephanie Hernandez Rivera, assistant professor in the Master of Higher Education program and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Emerging Professor.
• Cassandra North G’25 and Ellie MacMillan G’26, who presented “Laying Self Bare: Facilitating Student Learning Through Artistic Expression.”

Another prominent presentation was Dooley, McElderry and Noltemeyer’s “Strategic Planning as a Process to Advance Divisional Excellence,” providing insight on the Division of Student Life’s process in developing its five-year strategic plan.

“It was an honor to share the student life strategic planning work we’re doing at Elon alongside colleagues at NASPA. We had the opportunity to connect with higher education professionals from across the country as we partner on engaged learning and work to create transformative student experiences,” Noltemeyer expressed. “I’m proud of the innovation and collaboration happening in Student Life and the Elon community, and I’m excited for what the future holds for student life as we finalize the five-year plan.”

Echoing Noltemeyer, McElderry shared his excitement in highlighting the work of the division of student life and celebrating the accomplishments of Elon staff.

“I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the remarkable work that our division is doing at Elon,” said McElderry. “The university was well-represented by presentations from several division employees, MHE faculty and graduate students in the MHE program. Moreover, it was an honor to celebrate Jon’s recognition as a 2025 Pillar of the Profession.”

The recognition and accolades received during the NASPA conference illustrate Elon’s commitment to professional development, strategic planning and promoting excellence in higher education.