Thank you for stopping by to learn more about the ACPA Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNPCOP). Take some time to look through our content and don’t hesitate to share how you’d like to get involved. Use the menu below to jump to a section of interest.
Please contact us at [email protected] or connect with the members of our Directorate Body with questions or ideas.
Our Mission
Our Vision
our history
1988 // The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNPCOP) was created as a standing committee through the work of 1987’s Graduate Student Member-at-Large, Anne Eskridge. The purpose of this standing committee was to create a system of support for graduate students and new professionals in ACPA by recognizing the need to have affordable convention registration, housing options, as well as programs and events focused on graduate students.
2011 // The Standing Committee matured to a more defined Directorate structure with positions and requisite skills defined. Communication with the Standing Committee constituency was improved by an improved newsletter, including regular versions made available online through the ACPA homepage. The “inverted funnel model” of leadership development through the Standing Committee was introduced. The goal was to enable graduate students and new professionals to move in to the Standing Committee up through the Directorate and on to positions of great responsibility within the Association.
2015 // The Standing Committee transitioned to be a Coalition. The change represented several positive advances the Standing Committee was able to accomplish for the support of graduate students and new professionals within the field of student affairs. While working as a Coalition, Graduate Students and New Professionals helped emphasized the importance of partnership and collaboration and helped make our entity group more inclusive to the entirety of our membership.
2017 // After conversations with ACPA in 2017, it was decided that a Coalition was not the best place for Graduate Student and New Professionals. Shortly after, Communities of Practices were established, and one Community of Practice was established for Mid-Level Professionals. In the summer of that same year, the Coalition officially changed its name to the Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice.
Newsletters
February 2024
November/December 2023
October 2023
September 2023
2022-23 Year in Review
News & Updates
GSNP ELI Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to this year's GSNPCoP Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) Scholarship recipient Rimma Korchmit! Rimma (She/Her) currently serves as an Assistant Community Director for Residence Education and Housing Services at Michigan State University. Rimma will...
GSNP Emerging Leaders Institute Scholarship- Applications Open!
Are you a new professional wanting to expand your network and learn more about the profession? Curious about what upper level positions look like in ACPA? If so, apply for the GSNPCoP Phyllis L. Mable Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) Scholarship! This virtual...
GSNP Involvement Panel
The Graduate Students & New Professionals Community of Practice hosted an Involvement Panel on February 27th which included a...
To Comply or Not to Comply? That Is Not the Question: A Multi Content Analysis of Title IX Policies or Historically Black Land Grant Universities Recording
"To Comply or Not to Comply? That Is Not the Question: A Multi Content Analysis of Title IX Policies or Historically Black Land...
GSNP Newly Elected Leadership
Congratulations to our newly elected leadership for GSNP! Chair-Elect Olivia Maldonado (she/her) Coordinator for Residence Life, Appalachian State University Vice Chair of Operations Steven Feldman (he/they) PhD Student, Indiana University Bloomington Vice Chair of...
GSNP Award Nominations for ACPA24 Now Open!
Award nominations for ACPA24 are open! The depth and quality of work by student affairs educators, higher education scholars, and faculty colleagues too often goes unrecognized. Get Involved with GSNPCOP by recognizing and nominating a colleague, supervisor or...
Celebrating 35 Years of Graduate Students and New Professionals-ACPA
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice, previously both a Steering Committee and a Commission, has long supported the needs of those new to the field of Higher Education and Student Affairs. This year, we are celebrating 35 years of service...
GSNP Scholarships are now LIVE!
ACPA’s Graduate Student and New Professional Community of Practice is once again offering scholarships for ACPA24 and ACPA membership! The Convention Registration Scholarship is offered to graduate students and new professionals planning to attend ACPA24. This...
Submit to Present in the Growing Knowledge Series!
Recently successfully defended your dissertation? Undecided about working toward an article, but looking for a way to share your dissertation scholarship? Never published your recent dissertation research? The Growing Knowledge Series is for YOU!! This new offering...
upcoming events
There are no upcoming events at this time
Meet the Directorate
Julie Townley
Chair
She/Her/Hers
Clemson University
CARE Case Manager
Liv Maldonado
Chair-Elect
She/Her/Hers
Appalachian State University
Coordinator for Residence Life
Convention Experience Team
J Ravancho
Vice Chair
They/Them/Theirs/Silá
Miami University (OH)
Academic Advisor
Abby Roskos
Coordinator, Special Events
She/Her/Hers
Purdue University
Program Coordinator of Orientation Programs
McKenzie Kitzmiller
Coordinator, Special Events
She/Her/Hers
Tri Delta
Regional Property Manager
Cole Verbeten
Coordinator, Convention Ambassadors
He/Him/His
University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Residence Hall Director
Kayla Vukas
Coordinator, Convention Ambassadors
She/Her/Hers
Arizona State University
Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Nick Malendowski
Coordinator, Awards & Scholarships
He/Him/His
Eastern Michigan University
Assistant Director, Honors College
Networking Team
Taylor Swan
Vice Chair
She/Her/Hers
Virginia Tech
Professional Academic Advisor
Lauren Feldman
Coordinator, Member Engagement
She/They
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Assistant Director for Gender Equity and Sexuality
Rose Glenn
Coordinator, Member Engagement
She/Her/Hers
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Alumni Engagement Officer
Michael Chapman
Coordinator, Cross-Org Involvement
He/Him/His
University of Minnesota
Men’s Engagement Coordinator
Sydney Rubin
Coordinator, Cross-Org Involvement
She/Her/Hers
The Ohio State University
Recruitment and Engagement Specialist
Operations Team
Steven Feldman
Vice Chair
He/They
Indiana University Bloomington
PhD Student
Jon McCullough
Coordinator, Records & Website
He/Him/His
The Ohio State University
Program Coordinator
Emily Abrams
Coordinator, Assessment
She/Her/Hers
Michigan State University
PhD Student; Academic Success Coordinator
Maddy Wilson
Coordinator, Communications
She/Her/Hers
University of Iowa
Coordinator for Dance Marathon Programs
Professional Development Team
Blanca Moncada
Vice Chair
She/Her/Ella
University of San Francisco
Residence Director
Anthony Dillard
Coordinator, Professional Engagement
He/Him/His
Nallely Dominguez Holguin
Coordinator, Professional Engagement
She/Her/Ella
Tyaira Smith
Coordinator, Professional Engagement
She/Her/Hers
Miami University (OH)
Assistant Director, Center for Career Exploration and Success
Jose L. Medina III
Coordinator, Special Events
He/Him/His
University of California, Merced
Coordinator, Bright Success Center
Kate Poirier
Coordinator, Special Events
She/Her/Hers
Get Involved in gsnpcop
Become a member of the Graduate Students & New Professionals Community of Practice! Actively participate in opportunities that provide resources and support to members, both personally and professionally, with care, respect, and encouragement.
Ready to join?
Joining an Entity through the ACPA Member Portal automatically identifies you as a member of that Entity! You will begin to receive Entity communications through their respective email listserv and have access to any resources they share!
- Login to your ACPA Member Account
- Click on Community Groups (Chatter)
- Click Groups
- Click Active Groups
- Find the entity you want to join and within that group, click +Join
Contact GSNPCOP via email at [email protected] to learn more about ACPA’s Graduate Students & New Professionals Community of Practice.
- Become a Convention Ambassador
- Attend our open business meeting and awards session at the annual ACPA convention
- Submit a program proposal for Convention
- Review award and scholarship submissions
- Host a webinar
Additional Involvement Opportunities
ACPA Convention Ambassadors
Please check back soon for more information.
Submit to Present in the Growing Knowledge Series!
Recently successfully defended your dissertation? Undecided about working toward an article, but looking for a way to share your dissertation scholarship? Never published your recent dissertation research? The Growing Knowledge Series is for YOU!! This new offering...
Apply to join the GSNPCOP Directorate!
We are currently seeking to fill all of our Coordinator positions on our Directorate for the 2022-2023 cycle. Before completing the application, please be sure you have reviewed the Directorate Interest Packet for Coordinator Positions. For full consideration, please...
GSNPCoP Scholarships
ACPA’s Graduate Student and New Professional Community of Practice is once again offering scholarships for ACPA24 and ACPA membership!
The Convention Registration Scholarship is offered to graduate students and new professionals planning to attend ACPA24. This scholarship covers the cost of registration at the regular rate. The application deadline for this scholarship has passed.
Apply for our Convention Flat-Rate Scholarship! This scholarship covers other financial needs associated with Convention other than registration (such as hotel, meals, airfare etc.) that may not be included under professional development funding. The application deadline for this scholarship has passed.
The ACPA Membership Scholarship is intended for grad students or new professionals who are unable to attend ACPA24 due to financial or other reasons. This scholarship will provide a year-long membership to ACPA for the recipient. The application deadline for this scholarship has passed.
Additionally, we are looking for scholarship reviewers for these annual scholarships! If anyone would like to be a reviewer, please let us know by completing the application. The application deadline to be a reviewer has passed.
GSNPCoP Awards
The depth and quality of work by student affairs educators, higher education scholars, and faculty colleagues too often goes unrecognized. Get Involved with GSNPCOP by recognizing and nominating a colleague, supervisor or supervisee, mentor, or other leader for an Award by November 5th.
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNP-COP) honors 7 individuals with the following awards during the ACPA 2024 Chicago.
Outstanding Master’s Student
This award is given to a current master’s degree student in a higher education or student affairs-related program. The recipient of this award will have made a positive contribution (either through research or service to the profession) to the field of student affairs and/or has made significant contributions to their graduate program and institution.
Outstanding Doctoral Student
This award is given to a current doctoral student in a higher education or student affairs-related program. The recipient of this award will have made a positive contribution (either through research or service to the profession) to the field of student affairs and/or has made significant contributions to their graduate program and institution.
Outstanding New Professional
This award is given to an individual in their first three years of professional (post-graduate) employment. The recipient of this award will have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their department, institution, and the field of student affairs (either through research or professional service). This individual should demonstrate a propensity for developing students and utilizing theory in practice.
Outstanding Mentor to Graduate Students
This award is given to a student affairs professional or graduate preparation faculty member who goes above and beyond in their efforts to provide guidance and support to graduate students in higher education or a student affairs related graduate program.
Outstanding Mentor to New Professionals
This award is given to a student affairs professional who goes above and beyond in their efforts to provide guidance and support to new practitioners in the field of Student Affairs.
Outstanding Dedication to Professional Service
This award is given to a new professional or graduate student in higher education or a student affairs related field who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the field of student affairs through involvement in professional associations (both local, regional,and national), committees, conferences, and/or graduate program recruitment.
Racial Justice and Decolonization Research Excellence Award
This award is given to a practitioner or researcher within Student Affairs who has dedicated research hours and/or publications related to the Strategic Imperative on Racial Justice and Decolonization. Research should highlight the progression or action steps outlined by the Strategic Imperative.