Conference Leadership Committee
Conference Chair
José-Luis Riera, Vice President for Student Life & Interim Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Delaware
Dr. José-Luis Riera (known by students as VP José) is the Vice President for Student Life and Interim Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Delaware, bringing over 20 years of experience in student affairs and higher education. Since joining UD in 2010, he has held multiple leadership roles, including Dean of Students, and has led strategic planning efforts, organizational restructuring, and student success initiatives. Nationally, Dr. Riera serves on the NASPA Board as Chair of the 2026 Annual Conference and is a member of APLU’s Council on Student Affairs Executive Committee. A frequent presenter and published scholar, his work focuses on student leadership, organizational change, and the application of the Social Change Model. He holds degrees from Muhlenberg College, Colorado State University, and the University of Maryland–College Park, and lives in Newark, Delaware, with his wife Kate, their four daughters, and two dogs.
Board Chair
Michael Christakis, Vice President for Student Affairs at University at Albany
Dr. Michael Christakis has served as Vice President for Student Affairs since 2015, leading a team that supports student recruitment, enrollment, campus life, and academic success initiatives across all student levels. Since joining the University at Albany in 1999, he has held multiple leadership roles in student affairs, focusing on assessment, divisional planning, risk management, and campus life. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of APLU’s Council on Student Affairs and is president of the Board for University Auxiliary Services at UAlbany. His national leadership includes past service as NASPA Region II Director, NASPA Board member, and national president of Omicron Delta Kappa. A Public Service Professor and Fellow of the State Academy for Public Administration, he teaches public policy and political science and has received multiple teaching awards. Christakis holds a B.A. from Alfred University and an M.P.P. and Ph.D. from the University at Albany.
Engagement & Volunteers
Talea Drummer-Ferrell, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at The Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Taléa R. Drummer-Ferrell (known as Dr. D.) is the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at The Pennsylvania State University, where she provides strategic leadership on student experience initiatives and oversees units focused on health, wellbeing, and graduate student support. Previously, she served as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Kent State University, leading efforts in advocacy, mental health, and care coordination. With a career rooted in student empowerment, Dr. D. has also held roles in multicultural affairs, athletics, Upward Bound, residence life, and student organizations. She teaches a course on supporting students of color at PWIs through the University of South Carolina and is deeply engaged with NASPA, currently chairing the AVP Steering Committee and serving on the 2026 Conference Leadership Committee. Dr. D. holds degrees from Miami University, the University of Louisville, and Kent State University, and her research explores identity, transition, and leadership, particularly among mothering women of color in senior roles. She lives in State College, PA with her family, including her five-year-old daughter.
Danielle Nesselbush, Dean of Students at D'Youville University
Innovative Educational Sessions/Extended Learning Sessions
Shannon Gary, Vice President for Student Life at the University of San Francisco
Dr. Shannon Gary is the Vice President of Student Life at the University of San Francisco and a proud first-generation college student from Philadelphia, PA. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College and both a master’s and Doctor of Education in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. With a career spanning multiple institutions and leadership roles, Shannon has served in academic advising, honors programming, and student affairs at Lafayette College, Temple University, Drexel University, Montclair State, and USF, where he was promoted to his current role in 2024. He is an active member of NASPA, ACPA, and JASPA, currently serving on NASPA’s 2026 Conference Leadership Committee, and he represents private colleges statewide as a commissioner for the California Student Aid Commission. Shannon also teaches in USF’s Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program and serves on Muhlenberg College’s Board of Trustees, where he chairs the Nominations and Governance Committee.
Gail Cole-Avent, Associate Vice President for Student Life, California State University San Marcos
Dr. Gail Cole-Avent has served as a leader, instructor, and coach in higher education institutions and affiliated organizations across the nation for 25 years. Her experiences and understanding of varying institutional, geographical and community needs has framed her outlook on the unique opportunity and responsibility that a university has to advocate for and support student success. In addition, she has a passion for supporting professionals in their career and personal journeys through her role as a Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner. She has served in a senior manager role for 16 years, with 10 in an AVP position. This is her fourth year on the AVP Steering Committee and served as the 2024 co-director for the AVP Institute at the Western Regional Conference. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Life at California State University, San Marcos.
Functional work experience includes: Ombuds, Assessment/Strategic Planning & Accreditation, Residential Life, Honors, Chief of Staff, and Conduct. Previous work institutions include the University of Miami (FL), University of Georgia, and the University of Connecticut.
SA Series
Scott N. Friedman, Dean of Student Engagement , Moraine Valley Community College
Scott N. Friedman, Ph.D., CSAEd, has served as Dean of Student Engagement at Moraine Valley Community College since 2015, overseeing a broad portfolio that includes academic advising, disability services, counseling, orientation, study abroad, and transfer initiatives. From 2018–2021, he also led the college’s equity efforts as part of the Illinois Equity in Attainment initiative, blending data-informed strategies with a strong equity lens to better serve students. A longtime NASPA member and contributor, Dr. Friedman has held regional leadership roles, presented at numerous conferences, co-authored in the NASPA monograph Beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act, and is a recent co-recipient of the 2024 NASPA Grand Silver Excellence Award and gold award in Assessment, Persistence, and Data Analytics. He is a strong advocate for advancing Student Affairs work at community, technical, and two-year colleges.
Darlene Esparza, Director of the Office of Campus Organizations & Volunteer Programs at UC Irvine
Darlene, a proud Anteater since 2005, serves as the Director of the Office of Campus Organizations & Volunteer Programs at UC Irvine, where she supports over 600 student organizations and oversees volunteer and community service initiatives within Student Life & Leadership. A first-generation college student, she earned her BA in Psychology from UC Davis and her MA in Counseling, Student Affairs from the University of San Diego. Her previous roles at UCI include leadership positions in the Cross-Cultural Center, Center for Service in Action, and Veteran Services. Darlene has also participated in global education through Semester at Sea and finds fulfillment in supporting student growth and leadership. An active NASPA member, she has served as a NUFP mentor, Region VI Public Policy Representative, NUFP Region VI co-chair, and on multiple NASPA Western Region Conference planning committees. She is excited to bring her experience to the NASPA annual conference planning team in Kansas City.
Kansas City Experience
Ryan Gove, Director of Student Life at the University of Kansas Medical Center
Ryan Gove (he/him) has served as the Director of Student Life at the University of Kansas Medical Center since 2006 and has worked at KU since 2002. A first-generation college student from New England, he holds a B.S. in Human Development from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Kansas State University. Ryan’s career in student affairs has spanned orientation, housing, advising, and student activities, with a consistent focus on student success, diversity, and inclusion. A dedicated NASPA volunteer, he has served on the NASPA IV-West Regional Advisory Board, multiple regional conference planning committees, and chaired the 2018 IV-West conference. Based in Kansas City, he enjoys life with his husband Doug and their two golden retrievers, and is active in the community through the AIDS Service Foundation and the Gay and Lesbian Archives of Mid-America.
Molly Pierson, Dean of Students at Park University
As dean of students at Park University, Pierson collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to align the student experience with the institution’s mission and strategic priorities. She oversees key areas including residence life, student engagement, counseling, conduct, crisis response, new student programs, and the Park Student Government Association, while also serving as chief judicial officer and deputy Title IX coordinator. Previously, she was assistant dean of students and director of residential living at Washburn University and held leadership roles at Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University. Pierson holds a master’s in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s in biology from Washburn, where she first discovered her passion for higher education. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Kansas, with anticipated completion in summer 2025.
VPSA Initiatives
Jeannette Smith, Vice President for Student Affairs at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Jeannette Smith, Ph.D., completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research areas of interest include higher education administration, policy, supervision, and retention and persistence of students from traditionally underrepresented communities. Her doctoral journey was informed by a curiosity about decision-makers and led to a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study on policy. That work has infused every position she has held with a belief that approaching policy from an equitable lens can contribute to dismantling oppressive structures in post-secondary attainment. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Smith is intentional in collaboratively working across the college to holistically support students through the curricular and co-curricular experience. Dr. Smith has worked in academic advising, residence life, financial aid, student unions and facilities, grant management, student engagement, and foundation stewardship. She currently serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She resides in western mass with her spouse, kids, and one puppy named Porkchop.
William E. Hudson Jr., Vice President, Student Affairs at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Dr. William E. Hudson Jr. is a seasoned higher education leader and the current Vice President of Student Affairs at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he oversees a $175 million portfolio spanning enrollment management, student life, financial aid, disability services, health and counseling, campus safety, and more. A native Floridian, Dr. Hudson holds degrees from both FAMU (B.S., M.Ed.) and Florida State University (Ed.S., Ph.D.), and has dedicated his career to advancing access, equity, and student success. Previously serving as Associate Director of Florida State’s C.A.R.E. program, he has deep experience in academic support, retention, and counseling for underrepresented students. In addition to his administrative work, Dr. Hudson teaches as an adjunct at both FAMU and FSU and actively contributes to national dialogues on student affairs through roles with NASPA, APLU, and as Chair of Florida’s Articulation Coordinating Committee. A published scholar and respected consultant, he is especially known for his expertise in minority student recruitment and retention. He and his wife, Gretel, have been married for 28 years.
Faculty Initiatives & Scholarly Papers
Mimi Benjamin, Professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Mimi Benjamin is Professor of Student Affairs in Higher Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, having joined the faculty after a 19-year career as a student affairs administrator. She teaches courses focused on student affairs functions, student affairs administration, assessment and evaluation in student affairs, and student success in higher education. Her research interests include student co-curricular learning outcomes, faculty experiences, and learning communities. As a NASPA member, she has regularly presented at the annual conference, participated as a mentor for the Faculty Mentoring Program, served on the Faculty Programs and Scholarly Papers subcommittee, and contributed as a research paper discussant and doctoral seminar roundtable facilitator. Her work as an administrator was recognized with the 2006 NASPA Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award. Mimi earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a focus on Higher Education from Iowa State University, her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from Ohio University, her M.A. in English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and her B.S. in Secondary Education-English from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Paige Gardner, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Success and Co-Program Director at Seattle University
Dr. Paige Gardner (she, her, hers) currently serves as Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Success and Co-Program Director and Assistant Professor of Student Development Administration (SDA) in the College of Education at Seattle University. She has 15+ years of scholar-practitioner experience in crisis management, multicultural affairs, and residential education in the field of student affairs. As a queer, Black feminist, Dr. Gardner continues to radically imagine the success of those on the margins of society. Her research centers race and gender equity in the workplace, the experience of emotional labor at historically White institutions, scholar-practitioner identity development and spiritual formation for BIPOC communities in higher education. Dr. Gardner’s passion for social justice, collective leadership, and student-centered practice fuels her commitment to cultivate compassionate learning environments that empower graduate students to see themselves as scholars; in this way, she pushes graduate students to think more critically, build caring communities, and create lasting change in their spheres of influence.