Daniel is a complete Student Affairs Professional. With 39 years of Higher Education experience, 38 at the University of Cincinnati, Daniel has mentored thousands of students toward success and many SA professionals through a successful career. Daniel has held various leadership roles, shaping the profession and student experience. Daniel has served in the following leadership roles: (ASCA Leadership-CAS Standard Reviewer, Executive Member Core Competency, Board of Directors) and (ACPA Leadership-Ethics Committee, Executive Council, Affirmative Action Chair, National Convention Committee Member), to name a few. Daniel has presented consistently at local, regional, and national conferences throughout the years, sharing his knowledge and experience.

Dr. Holden serves as the Coordinator of Learning Communities and Director of the Chapman Learning Community in the Division of Student Engagement and Success, Student Success Initiatives, at Bowling Green State. In 1997, Dr. Holden was recruited to join a team that built Chapman, BGSU’s first residential learning community, where he went on to teach courses in writing, literature, American Culture Studies, and film studies for a decade in the residence halls. Over the past twenty-seven years, with the Chapman model as a foundation, the BGSU Learning Community Network has been expanded and currently includes eleven residential, and two nonresidential, learning communities, engaging 1,180 students. Dr. Holden has received a variety of recognitions for his teaching, his veteran and military family advocacy, and his service-learning coursework. For example, he was the recipient of the Bowling Green State University Master Teacher Award in 2005, the Adjutant General’s Award for service to military families from the Ohio National Guard in 2011, and the David Hoch Memorial Award in Service from the Ohio Campus Compact in 2017. Holden has served the National Learning Community Association as a Professional Mentor, where he has assisted faculty and staff from across the United States in building and sustaining learning communities.

Dr. Nicole Mayo is a transformative higher education leader whose career has been dedicated to elevating the student experience and building communities where all students can thrive. As Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of Cincinnati, she champions student success, well-being, and engagement across a vibrant and diverse campus. Since joining UC in 2006, she has shaped signature initiatives in leadership development, community engagement, holistic well-being, fraternity and sorority life, and parent and family partnerships. A scholar-practitioner at heart, Dr. Mayo also teaches graduate courses in student development, higher education law and policy, and organizational leadership—preparing future educators to innovate in service of students. A first-generation college graduate from Philadelphia, she brings authenticity, empathy, and a deep commitment to access and belonging to every space she leads.

Frederick (Fred) Swank (he/him) currently serves as a Residence Hall Desk Coordinator for South Campus for THE Ohio State University. Fred is a first-generation college graduate, graduating from Columbus State Community College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management. Fred is passionate about being a supportive listener and being a subject matter expert for others. He enjoys bringing value and shining positivity and light to all positions in the workplace so that everyone knows each other's names and fun facts about their co-workers. Fred is currently serving on the BRAVO! Committee (Bringing Recognition and Valuing Others)  for Housing & Residence Education at Ohio State. Fred has exceptional organizational skills and tries to bring structure and value to the spaces he is in. Fred spent much of his career working for The Kroger Company, in various roles including Customer Service Manager and Human Resources as a Store Recruiter to name a few. Fred served as a Store, District, and Division Leader for the company’s Our Promise Team, where associates were able to provide feedback to company leadership, and make their workplace a better environment for all. Fred currently lives in Franklinton, a part of the Columbus, OH community. He purchased the home next door to his childhood home, where his mother currently resides.

Dana Carnes Pursley (she/her) serves as the Director of the Alford Community Leadership and Involvement Center at Denison University. A first-generation college graduate, Dana is both a product and a passionate advocate of small private liberal arts institutions. As a leadership educator, she is dedicated to developing students who create positive change within their organizations, their communities, and the world. Throughout her career, Dana has built a broad portfolio of experience spanning residence life, leadership development, student government, fraternity and sorority life, hazing prevention, student organizations, community service and civic engagement, union and facilities management, large-scale programming, and campus traditions. Prior to joining Denison, she served in professional roles at Elon University, Wittenberg University, and Otterbein University. Dana’s professional involvement includes active engagement with ACPA, NACA, NASPA, NCLP, and OCPA. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Heidelberg University and her Master of Arts from The Ohio State University.

John Paul “JP” Robinson is the Director for Institutional Compliance & Campus Belonging at John Carroll University, where he leads campus-wide efforts to strengthen equity, access, and belonging. He oversees the university’s bias response and compliance functions while guiding initiatives that support students, employees, and community partners. With more than a decade of experience in higher education, JP also oversees Veteran & Military-Connected Student Services, serves as an advisor to Black Students in Action and Salute Veterans Honor Society, and serves as an adjunct faculty member. A committed advocate, mentor, and facilitator, he brings a collaborative and student-centered approach to advancing inclusion across campus. Selected Accomplishments: Increased campus trust and reporting for bias-related incidents by more than 100% compared to last year. Secured the Advancement Award for Programming from the National Veterans Leadership Foundation. Awarded the MLB Military Grant from the Cleveland Guardians to support veteran students for the 2025–26 academic year. Recognized as an Honoree in MLB’s Who’s Who in Black Cleveland. Awarded the 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends Award by the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation. Helped establish the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society chapter at John Carroll University. Received the Service & Dedication to the University Award from Alpha Sigma Nu. Honored with the Excellence in Programming Award by the National Veteran Leadership Foundation and the Ohio Department of Education. Named Advisor of the Year at John Carroll University (2024). Secured the Ohio Purple Star Designation from the Ohio Department of Education.

Dr. Laura M. Harrison presents and writes in multiple disciplines; the common thread in her work is the examination of teaching and learning with an eye toward rehumanizing higher education. She has two recent books dedicated to these topics: Harrison, L.M., Challenger, R., Morgenstern, E., & Balarabe, O.A. (2024). Helping college students write: A guide for educators. (Routledge) and Harrison, L.M., Mather, P. & Bah, S. (2025, edited volume). Rehumanizing higher education. (New Directions in Teaching and Learning). Both works were written with in collaboration with students, whom Harrison enjoys mentoring through the writing and publication processes. Harrison teaches courses in scholarly writing, college teaching, helping skills, diversity in higher education, and leadership and change. Harrison is also a frequent presenter at state, national, and international conferences. Additionally, she is one of the co-editors of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)’s The Journal of College and Character. Harrison is currently a Professor and Chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education at Ohio University. Before she came to Ohio University in 2011, she served as an Associate Dean of Students at Stanford University. She earned her doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of San Francisco in 2006.

For 30+ years in higher education, Dr. Kristen Lindsay has successfully navigated both student affairs and academic affairs at state, private, two-year, and four-year institutions. Establishing the first stand-alone institutional research and assessment operation at The University of Findlay is a career highlight. Previous roles included establishing an Academic Service Center, operationally merging academic and career advising, launching a “deciding” living and learning community, building a zero cost first-year experience program, managing a Title III Strengthening Institutions grant, developing a career-focused FYE program based on students’ Strong Interest Inventory results, and creating an NCAA-funded academic skill building initiative for student-athletes.

Dr. Amy Barnes is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) program at Ohio State University and Director of the Education Doctorate. During her career at OSU, she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in personal leadership development, group dynamics, case analysis, innovative leadership, strategic leadership, along with research and dissertation-writing courses. She is the Director of the inaugural HESA Ed.D. program at Ohio State, a program designed for working professionals. Dr. Barnes has been integral in aligning the program’s goals and objectives with the principles of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) and has created a culture of supporting scholarly practice. Additionally, Dr. Barnes managed HESA’s undergraduate leadership course offerings and curriculum associated with the university’s interdisciplinary leadership minor for 12 years. Prior to her tenure as a faculty member, Dr. Barnes spent 14 years in administrative roles in First Year Experience, Residential Life, Career Services, and central student affairs administration. She is an author of the Innovative Leadership Workbook for College Students and Leadership Theory: Facilitator’s Guide for Cultivating Critical Perspectives and has published in numerous journals and practice-based publications. Dr. Barnes also has consulted on leadership and organizational development locally, nationally, and internationally since 2005.

Gregory J. Harris - Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH). For over 18 years, Harris has been blessed to work in progressive and executive-level administrative roles within higher education where he has focused his work on ethical leadership, intentional mentorship, collaborative care, and supportive consultation to empower others to utilize their skill sets and values to make positive, transformational contributions to our global society. With the support of his family, friends, and colleagues, he remains committed to being an impactful leader and member of the communities in which he has lived, worked, and served. Harris' current professional portfolio at CWRU within the Division of Student Affairs is committed to student living, learning and support.

Dana Carnes Pursley (she/her) serves as the Director of the Alford Community Leadership and Involvement Center at Denison University. A first-generation college graduate, Dana is both a product and a passionate advocate of small private liberal arts institutions. As a leadership educator, she is dedicated to developing students who create positive change within their organizations, their communities, and the world. Throughout her career, Dana has built a broad portfolio of experience spanning residence life, leadership development, student government, fraternity and sorority life, hazing prevention, student organizations, community service and civic engagement, union and facilities management, large-scale programming, and campus traditions. Prior to joining Denison, she served in professional roles at Elon University, Wittenberg University, and Otterbein University. Dana’s professional involvement includes active engagement with ACPA, NACA, NASPA, NCLP, and OCPA. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Heidelberg University and her Master of Arts from The Ohio State University.

Brandy Bailey is a Success Advisor at Ohio University in the College of Health Sciences and Professions. She advises Exercise Physiology, Applied Nutrition, and Nutrition Science undergraduate students. Brandy completed a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication and Spanish/Latin American Studies in 2015, a Master of Education in College Student Personnel in 2018, and a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Healthcare Studies with a certificate in Interprofessional Care in 2025. She is a Certified Appreciative Adviser from Florida Atlantic University and serves on the board as Secretary for the Ohio Academic Advising Association (OHAAA). In May 2024, she received the Academic Architect Award at Ohio University, "for the advisor who consistently strives to design pathways to success for their advisees, propelling them forward in achieving their goals." In 2023, she received the Outstanding Learning Community Award for the College. She teaches first-year experience courses, and has presented at the OHAAA Annual Conference, First-Year Experience Conference, and is passionate about student success and working with college students.

Currently serves the Hiram College community as the Assistant Dean of Students.BA in Educational Studies, Focusing in Higher Education; Residence Life - Hiram College '17; MA Ed in Leadership in Higher Education - Baldwin Wallace University '19; Currently oversees Student Conduct & Orientation; Served as Communication Coordinator, Secretary, & within the Tri-Presidency to the Northeast Ohio Housing Officers (NEOHO) 2018-2024

Andy Sokolich (he/him) currently serves as the Associate Dean of Mathematics at Cuyahoga Community College. After working in many roles at almost exclusively open-access institutions, he has developed a strong commitment to accessible education for all and improving the experience of students both in and out of the classroom. Andy is also a doctoral student in Kent State University's Higher Education Administration PhD program and has a budding research agenda incorporating change management, assessment, accreditation, and identity of institutional leaders. He aspires to be a scholar-practitioner infusing his research directly into practice. When not at work or engaging in academic endeavors, Andy can be found riding roller coasters with his husband, Andrew, and their friends when the weather is nice, or curled up inside with his cats crocheting a massive blanket with a complex pattern.

Leah Ward, Ph.D. has served in various roles in higher education student affairs for over 10 years. Leah is currently the Director of the Women's Center and an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. Leah's research is focused on secondary traumatic stress experienced by HESA professionals as a means to illustrate the occupational hazard of the field with the goal of creating systems that mitigate burnout.

Emily Vermillion (she/her/hers) serves as an Associate Director in the Alford Community Leadership and Involvement Center at Denison University. Emily oversees and advises student-led community service organizations that engage both the Denison and the surrounding Licking County community. Emily oversees civic engagement efforts of student led DU Votes, which works to promote voter education, voter registration, and turnout. Emily served on the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters Licking County for 7 years, and serves as Secretary for the Licking County NAACP, and is on the Board of Directors of Together We Grow Gardens. In these positions, Emily has had the opportunity to educate the community about voting, voting rights, legislation, food insecurity, and advocate for social justice. Emily has a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University, and is actively licensed (LPC). Emily’s professional involvement includes NASPA Region IV-East CLDE KC Representative, OCPA, and the Community Campus Coalition. Awards: Campus Organization Advisor of the Year 2024; Denison Forward Excellence Award 2024; Division of Student Life Excellence in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism for Fall Break Social Justice Experience 2023-2024; Conference Presentations: NASPA Region IV-East Conference 2025 and NASPA Civic Learning and Social Change Conference 2025: “ When they go low, we go high impact!: Using co-curricular HIP’s of community based learning to continue social justice work in the face of DEI bans”; AASCU and NASPA Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Conference 2024: “IDEA for change: Infusing Social Justice into Community/Civic Engagement”; AASCU and NASPA Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Conference 2023: “Creating and Supporting Intentional Voter Engagement Plans Executed by Empowered Student Leaders”

John Paul “JP” Robinson is the Director for Institutional Compliance & Campus Belonging at John Carroll University, where he leads campus-wide efforts to strengthen equity, access, and belonging. He oversees the university’s bias response and compliance functions while guiding initiatives that support students, employees, and community partners. With more than a decade of experience in higher education, JP also oversees Veteran & Military-Connected Student Services, serves as an advisor to Black Students in Action and Salute Veterans Honor Society, and serves as an adjunct faculty member. A committed advocate, mentor, and facilitator, he brings a collaborative and student-centered approach to advancing inclusion across campus. Selected Accomplishments: Increased campus trust and reporting for bias-related incidents by more than 100% compared to last year. Secured the Advancement Award for Programming from the National Veterans Leadership Foundation. Awarded the MLB Military Grant from the Cleveland Guardians to support veteran students for the 2025–26 academic year. Recognized as an Honoree in MLB’s Who’s Who in Black Cleveland. Awarded the 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends Award by the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation. Helped establish the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society chapter at John Carroll University. Received the Service & Dedication to the University Award from Alpha Sigma Nu. Honored with the Excellence in Programming Award by the National Veteran Leadership Foundation and the Ohio Department of Education. Named Advisor of the Year at John Carroll University (2024). Secured the Ohio Purple Star Designation from the Ohio Department of Education.

Clark serves as the Associate Director of the Community Leadership and Involvement Center (CLIC) at Denison University where he works with clubs and organizations and supporting major campus events and traditions. Prior to joining Denison, Clark worked in professional theaters, and served at Penn State University. His experiences there included arts administration, welcome and orientation programs, student organizations, and leadership development for students and staff alike.

My name is Ashleigh, and I am a Scholarship Advisor for the Thompson Scholarship Programs at BGSU. I bring a holistic approach to student success that blends mentorship, supportive learning environments, and inclusive community-building. The highlight of my professional career so far has been the coordination and planning of our Summer Link and One-Day orientation programs. I get to work with the students throughout the whole process from selection, training, to the completion of the event. I also get to be one of the first faces our first-year students know, and I take honor in being their first source of connection to campus.

"Student Leader Committed to Inclusive Leadership, Community Engagement, and Purpose-Driven Impact” Re-Designed and launched Paving the Way, a first-year success and leadership program focused on student transition, belonging, and holistic development; Created a structured program that equips first-year students with tools for academic success, personal growth, and community engagement; Implemented multiple targeted recruitment strategies, resulting in a higher first-year participation rate than the previous year; Utilized the Tara Yosso Framework to develop and implement a structured approach for regular monthly one-on-one check-ins with all participating paving the way students; Developed and hosted ‘What’s Happening in the Center Mondays’, a weekly social media series featuring departmental events and collaborations with other campus departments to share student resources; Developed and implemented a series of events celebrating diverse student identities and cultural heritages; Planned and executed a Senior Celebration for our department to honor and recognize graduating students and their achievements; Developed and facilitated a year-long Leadership Academy for C3 student leaders, focusing on building leadership capacity and providing strategies to effectively guide their student organizations; Engaged campus stakeholders to serve as professional speakers for the Leadership Academy, enriching the program with diverse perspectives and practical leadership strategies.

Valerie is an Academic Advisor and VA School Certifying Official at Franklin University, where she draws on her experience as a veteran and her commitment to supporting today’s learners. She mentors new academic advisors, contributes to university-wide initiatives through her service on the Crisis Management Team and Diversity Dimensions Committee, and contributes to research on virtual communication and trauma-informed practices outside of her role. She has been grateful to receive recognitions including the Lifesaving Medal and the Kentucky Colonel commission. Valerie is dedicated to fostering inclusive, student-centered pathways that help military-connected and nontraditional students thrive.

Alli Kulbago, Coordinator for Student Involvement at Denison University, is proud to be Ohio born and raised. Alli is a cat mom to two mischief makers (Marble & Clippy), a big fan of board games, exploring the local metroparks, and, most recently, pottery!

I am a dual-degree master’s student, anticipating to graduate with both an MEd and an MBA in May of 2026. I currently serve as a Graduate Assistant in Kent State University’s Center for Student Involvement, where I am responsible for advising student organizations and planning large-scale campus events. I have also served as an intern for different functional areas across Bowling State University, NEOMED, Defiance College, AFLV Central, and Delta Zeta National Headquarters. I’m honored to be nominated for this award!

Alec Arnett (he/him) is a second-year master's student in College Student Personnel at Bowling Green State University. He serves as a graduate assistant for the Office of Student Engagement & Residence Life, working primarily with Fraternity & Sorority Life, and as an intern for the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution. Alec believes in theory-informed practices and has contributed to the literature by publishing in the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) Perspectives, and has an upcoming chapter co-authored with Dr. Amy E. French in Case studies for student development theory: Advancing social justice & inclusion in higher education by Routledge. Alec completed an internship in New Student & Family Programs at Marquette University in the summer of 2025 and serves on the leadership board for the Ohio College Personnel Association (OCPA) as well as the Membership, Engagement, & Recruitment Committee for AFA Region III. Alec's primary functional areas include fraternity & sorority life and student conduct, and he believes that this work is pivotal to building a sense of belonging and community pride and fostering leadership abilities and persistence among college students. Although he is not eligible to receive this award due to his responsibilities coordinating the OCPA awards program, he is honored to be nominated!

Rae Cook is a second-year master’s student in the College Student Personnel program at Bowling Green State University. Students and colleagues often describe her as an attentive, supportive, and empathetic leader. Rae currently serves as the Student Outreach Graduate Assistant for the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design, where she supports Deciding Students through academic advising needs, registration assistance, and creating workshops meant to build confidence and foster student success. Previously, she served as the Graduate Student for Belonging and Engagement for the Center for Student Connections and Opportunity, where she facilitated LGBTQ+ programming, coordinated Lavender Graduation, and served as the advisor for the Queer/Trans Student Union. Rae brings intentionality, empathy, and an equity-minded approach to her work, and strives to leave things better than she found them. In her free time, she serves as the Graduate Student Representative for the Bowling Green chapter of the American Association of University Women, and enjoys reading with her cat, Luther.

Emma has built their Kent State journey around academic excellence and a deep commitment to supporting students. From welcoming first-year Exploratory students in the classroom to mentoring peers, Emma brings empathy, connection, and creativity to every role. Whether designing resources, leading peers, or building communities of belonging, Emma's work reflects their passion for higher education and commitment to student success. With a current graduate GPA of 4.0, leadership as president of the Graduate Association of Student Personnel Practitioners (GRASPP), and hands-on experience across advising, teaching, and career services, Emma continues to showcase their academic excellence and commitment to student affairs with both passion and purpose.

More information about Hannah will be shared at the 2026 Annual Conference!

Leah Kania is a senior Vocal Performance Major from Albion, NY, studying at Baldwin Wallace University. She is passionate about performance, leadership, and helping students create meaningful connections within the campus community. At BW, Leah has had the opportunity to serve as Student Body President, a Lead Resident Assistant, an Orientation Leader, a First-Year Experience Peer Instructor, and a Conservatory Student Ambassador. After graduation in May, Leah is planning to pursue a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She is beyond grateful for the support of her family, friends, and the BW faculty and staff, whose guidance has shaped her journey and inspired her to pursue new opportunities. YJ4L!!

Madison McBride is an undergraduate student passionate about the intersections of psychology, gender, and justice. As a committed learner and campus leader, Madison blends academic research with hands-on community engagement, focusing on issues affecting LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized communities.

Madison Paoletta is a senior undergraduate student majoring in Integrated Language Arts at Kent State University. Through formative college leadership experiences and attending the OCPA conference three times consecutively, she found that her career passion was rooted in the higher education environment. Heavily involved in student leadership at Kent State University, she was most recently on Kent State’s 2025 Homecoming Court. Madison has also served as a Resident Assistant for nearly three years and as a Peer Success Coach, guiding other student leaders in their roles as mentors to first-year students. In Spring 2024, she co-taught P.E.E.R. Success Academy, a course that empowers undergraduates to develop critical leadership skills and qualities. During the past summer, Madison was a student researcher studying perceptions of gender influenced by social media. Currently, Madison is a full-time student teacher at Springfield High School near Akron, Ohio. She plans to leverage her college experiences to succeed in graduate school for her master’s degree in higher education, which she will be starting in the fall of 2026.

Denison Community Service Association has created a program that increases collaboration across community partners in local K-12 schools and student organizations at Denison to work with the After School Adventures Program. This program works to increase engagement across Denison's student organizations that do not typically get to engage in service, while still meeting the mission of their organization. We had 345+ After School Adventure children on Denison's campus over a 4-day period where they learned about Denison, higher education, and they learned new skills from each student organization activity. ASA students were able to learn Swing Dancing, K-Pop dancing, learn from gardening and outdoor club with a plant potting activity, learn about improv comedy, tabletop role playing games with Gaming Guild, learn about engaging in service themselves, and so much more! 20+ Denison student organizations participated in this program with ASA students to teach them new skills and show them co-curricular involvement in college. There were over 100+ unique volunteers and 355+ service hours over the 4-day period. Due to the program's success, it will be expanded to a monthly program with K-12 schools After School Adventure program and grow the number of student organizations that can engage in community service while meeting the mission of their organization.

Co-leading the program, Calloway Kusold currently serves as the Coordinator for Student Experience & Campus Belonging and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at John Carroll University. They conduct education, training, and programming for the campus community. They also serve as a 2025-2026 Sustained Dialogue Culture Shift Fellow. Calloway is currently working on their M.S.W. at Case Western Reserve University.

Led by Rebecca Morrow, Melanie Hawkins and Dakota Stephens, 34 Days to Focus on Your Strengths is a high-energy, 34-day-long campus scavenger hunt campaign that helps Oberlin students get to know their CliftonStrengths and their campus resources at the same time. Each scavenger hunt prompt spotlights one of the 34 strengths and a partnering campus office, inviting students to complete quick, strengths-based challenges, explore resources, and build connections across campus at their own pace. With a culminating celebration, Strengths Fest, where participants earn prizes and enjoy strengths-based games and activities with campus partners, this program turns strengths development into an accessible, social, and seriously fun introduction to college life.

Led by Dr. Colette Masterson. Every Otterbein Student will be READY for their Future! Student Success and Career Development (SSCD) led the effort to create READY Day, an annual, single-day career and professional development conference that every student would attend. The READY program planning team met with constituencies across campus to build support for READY Day: Cabinet, Faculty and Staff Assemblies, the Otterbein Undergraduate Student Government, standing University Senate committees, the University Senate and anyone else with interest or questions. Implementing READY Day required a change to the academic calendar, as classes would have to be cancelled for an entire day to accommodate the conference. Meeting with various constituencies and addressing concerns, the calendar change went to University Senate and University Senate voted to endorse the new calendar on October 16, 2024. The next step to fully implementing the READY program was to make participation in the program across all four years a graduation requirement. On March 3, 2025, Curriculum Committee approved making READY participation a graduation requirement for students. Senate Bill 24/25-06 READY Program Graduation Requirement was approved on March 5, 2025. On May 3, 2025, the Otterbein University Board of Trustees voted to enshrine student participation in the READY program as a graduation requirement of the university. All READY Day planning was facilitated through a campus committee model with faculty representatives in the planning of our first READY Day. Faculty representatives served as communication conduits between the larger faculty as a whole and the overall planning and execution of READY. READY Day by the Numbers: 214 Headshot Photo Sessions; 225 Volunteer/Staff T-Shirts; 200 staff volunteers; 667 students attended the Majors and Minors Fair; 163 sessions; 2950 Lunches; 7000 pieces of candy; 10,763 total check-ins on the Guidebook app. Next Destination Fair (Internships, Job, and Graduate/Professional School Fair during READY Day): 105 Employers; 45 standard; 60 Non-Profit/Govt; 25 Graduate Schools; 1215 Check-ins (student attendees)

Denison University’s Wander & Wonder series creates intentional opportunities for students to build communication skills and engage in dialogue across difference through relaxed, theme-based “walk and talk” conversations. By encouraging participants to reflect on their experiences and perspectives while learning to listen actively and speak with clarity and respect, the program helps students strengthen competencies that directly translate to thriving in a diverse workforce, such as navigating cross-cultural interactions, advocating for themselves in interviews, and communicating effectively in professional environments. During each session, participants gather for informal reflection, reinforcing a culture of curiosity, empathy, and shared growth. In doing so, Wander & Wonder contributes to a more inclusive campus climate, where students learn to meet difference, not with avoidance or tension but with constructive dialogue that deepens understanding and fosters belonging.

Led by Caitlin Fagan. Caitlin received her BA in Russian from The Ohio State University in 2021 and will complete her Master of Social Work in May 2026. She is passionate about empowering students to succeed in higher education through person-centered support and universal design. Drawing on her background in assessment and her internship at the Nisonger Center, Caitlin developed a neuro-affirmative training informed by the lived experiences of university students. She has presented, "Actionable Assessment: Integrating Assessment Tools into Manageable Daily Routines" at OCPA in 2023 and "Adaptations to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Art Therapy for Neurodivergent Adults" at the National Association of Social Workers Ohio Conference in 2024.

Dr. Richard Brown, Associate Dean of Student Life at Denison University, is a scholar-practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of culturally relevant leadership development, student success, and innovative program evaluation. He was nominated for the Ohio College Personnel Association (OCPA) Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research Award in recognition of his groundbreaking dissertation, “Afrofuturism–It’s A Different World: Exploring Tools for Culturally Relevant Black Student Leadership Development.” Dr. Brown’s research advances the field of higher education and student affairs by introducing Afrofuturism as a visionary framework for cultivating student leadership in ways that honor identity, imagination, and possibility. His work offers new tools for student affairs professionals to design leadership experiences that are culturally grounded, future-oriented, and responsive to the needs of students. In Ohio, his contributions have strengthened institutional practices by informing more inclusive leadership development programs, shaping professional conversations around student success, and supporting campuses in creating environments where all students can thrive. Through both scholarship and practice, Dr. Brown continues to champion research-driven strategies that expand opportunity and empower the next generation of leaders.

Peter Kofi Dabie is a 3rd Year PhD Candidate at the Educational Leadership Department (EDL), Miami University, Oxford, OH. He is also at the final lapse of his PhD at the University of Ghana, Legon. He is an Educator & Researcher. Peter Kofi Dabie was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student Research Spotlight by the Miami University Graduate School for his unprecedented publication of three peer-reviewed articles in a single semester. He also received acknowledgment from the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), one of the leading educational research organizations in the U.S, for publishing six scholarly peer-reviewed articles within a semester— an extraordinary record of success for a Graduate Student. His research focuses on the educational leadership role in closing the achievement gap for low-income students in rural public schools, and migration studies. He has taught EDL 204: Sociocultural Foundations of Education, a course that guides students through complex social and cultural issues in education in the U.S. He performs administrative roles at the EDL. He has published 10 peer-reviewed articles @ https://about.me/peterkofidabie.com. He has presented at several Local/State, National, and International Conferences.

Dr. French is an acclaimed scholar and researcher of both historical and current issues of importance within higher education and student affairs. Her current research centers social justice and student development theory by exploring race, disability, and graduate students. In her spare time, she enjoys reading comic books, playing video games, and hiking across the Midwest with her dog, Boss Chewy McScruff.

Debbie Arnold is a higher education leader with extensive experience in student success, enrollment growth, and community engagement. She currently serves as Manager of the School of Natural Resources at Hocking College, where she oversees academic scheduling, faculty coordination, employer partnerships, student advising, and strategic recruitment. With a professional background spanning higher education, business ownership, and community leadership, she has presented enrollment strategies regionally and has recently published in New Directions for Community Colleges. Debbie holds a master’s degree in Higher Education from Ohio University and is completing her Doctor of Education in Higher Education. She is a former volunteer and board leader across regional organizations, including the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Red Cross Southeast Ohio Chapter.

Dr. Erica Eckert (she/her) is Assistant Professor in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at Kent State University. Her scholarship focuses on critical issues of administration, assessment, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness in higher education. Dr. Eckert is co-author of Business Practices in Higher Education: A Guide for Today's Administrators (2nd ed.). She teaches courses on assessment and accreditation, business administration, and technology, systems and data in the higher education space and serves on the advisory board for the Center for Leading Improvements in Higher Education.