NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

06/02/2026

The most useful research doesn't stay in the theoretical—it maps directly to the physical footprint of the campus. "Spacing It Right" highlights several institutions where intentional design is yielding real-world results:

The University of Utah’s Lassonde Studios demonstrates how the integration of living, making, and social spaces can drive sustained student engagement and entrepreneurial learning.

Ringling College of Art and Design’s Cunniffe Commons has become the new heart of campus where students, faculty, and staff come together daily not just for food but for connection and respite, to study, and to see and be seen.

Blue Ridge Community College’s Patton Building is accessible and inclusive, supporting diverse learners throughout their educational journey.

Read full report:

Our learning opportunities include conferences of all sizes, online content delivered live and on-demand, and courses to explore a topic in-depth.

06/01/2026

The Call for Programs for the 2027 NASPA Annual Conference is officially open!

Hear from Conference Chair, Kristina Bethea Odejimi, as she shares more about our Call for Programs, key dates, and the importance of being together in-person.

Submit your pre-conference workshop proposal by July 15 or your main conference program proposal by September 23.

Read Kristina’s full letter: https://bit.ly/4o4iIpN
Submit your proposal: https://bit.ly/3RykK5A

05/28/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐀 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬!
An unexpected expense of $500 or less shouldn’t force a student to pause their education. We’re proud to celebrate the recipients of the 2026 TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant, administered by NASPA.

The 2026 Emergency Aid Microgrant recipients include:
• Allegany College of Maryland
• Coastal Bend College
• Doane University
• Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
• Montclair State University

This year’s TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant Initiative recognizes and awards five higher education institutions with $10,000 in financial support given directly to students, helping them address urgent needs such as housing, food, and transportation. These institutions are leveraging microgrants to maximize the impact of emergency aid programs and basic needs support to advance student persistence and success.

Through our engagement with these five campuses, NASPA is deepening our understanding of the landscape of emergency aid programs and what tailored support is needed for members leading this work.

Learn more about the TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant Initiative: https://bit.ly/3RNBtBN

05/28/2026

We’re already counting down the days until we can all get together again.

Come join thousands of your peers in beautiful National Harbor, Maryland, for the 2027 NASPA Annual Conference (March 6–10, 2027)!

This is your opportunity to connect with peers and dive into timely sessions focused on the most pressing topics in our field, including:

☑️ The business of student affairs
☑️ Navigating the human-digital continuum
☑️ Adapting with purpose and agency

Want to get the best deal? Register by June 30, 2026, to secure advanced registration rates.

🔗 Secure your spot today: https://bit.ly/4u70tBF

05/27/2026

Designing educational spaces is about more than material efficiencies—it is about creating environments where students feel included, secure, and engaged while experiencing community.

By addressing inclusion, fostering engagement, and nurturing community, institutions can create transformative learning conditions that leave a lasting impact.

Campuses that achieve this balance distinguish themselves as places of purpose, connection, and success and ensure that all students can thrive in their learning experience.

Read full report:

Our learning opportunities include conferences of all sizes, online content delivered live and on-demand, and courses to explore a topic in-depth.

05/19/2026

If a first-generation student walked through campus today with fresh eyes, what would the physical environment communicate to them?

The Spacing It Right report offers a 12-attribute checklist to evaluate whether a space is truly optimized for student success. A well-designed environment should be:

1. Proximate
2. Welcoming
3. Accessible
4. Inclusive
5. Functional
6. Sociopetal
7. Flexible
8. Aesthetic
9. Reflective
10. Regenerative
11. Distinctive
12. Sustainable

No single space can check every box, but the gaps in these attributes often reveal the gaps in the student experience.

Read full report: https://bit.ly/4drJAv3

05/13/2026

President Amelia Parnell is a keynote speaker at the 2026 National Conference for College Women Student Leaders ( )! Join her on May 29, 12:00-1:30 PM to hear about the impact of your voice and the important role you’re already playing on campus and in your community.

🔗 Register today: https://bit.ly/4uRtyln
📆 May 27-30, 2026
📍 College Park, MD

05/13/2026

Higher education frequently debates curriculum, advising, and support services. But what about the physical spaces where that work actually happens?

The research in "Spacing It Right: Designing Higher Education Institutions for Student Success" asserts that campus design is not just a backdrop to success—it is a driver of it. Achieving a powerful learning environment depends on fulfilling three specific conditions in a concentric flow:

1. Inclusion and security
2. Engagement
3. Community

For leaders in student affairs and campus planning, understanding how spatial design supports or precludes retention is a critical first step.

Read full report: https://bit.ly/4wwEV3O

05/11/2026

💻 NASPA Webinar tomorrow, May 12, at 2:30 PM ET—Bridging the Gap: Guiding Principles for Quality, Tech-Enabled Career Coaching

Register for Free: https://bit.ly/3RzDiSE

In an increasingly crowded marketplace of tools, how do we distinguish between flashy tech and high-impact human support? Too few learners have access to the quality coaching necessary to navigate the journey from education to a meaningful career. This session is grounded in research from Strada Education Foundation and developed in collaboration with Bellwether and NASPA.

05/11/2026

At the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), students come together to connect, learn, and grow alongside peers and mentors from across the country. NCCWSL helps participants build the skills and confidence to lead and create change on their campuses and in their communities.

🚍🏛️ New this year—participants will have the opportunity to partake in a Washington D.C. tour experience.

Are you looking to develop and connect with other student leaders in an engaging event and space? Do you work with students who are ready to enhance their leadership skills and confidence?

Share this opportunity: 🔗https://bit.ly/4flc3oK