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 gsnpcop@acpa.nche.edu or connect with the members of our Directorate Body with questions or ideas.
Our Mission
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNPCOP) is one of the entity groups within ACPA charged to develop and deliver year-round programs and services focused on enriching and supporting the needs of graduate students and new professionals in student affairs and higher education.
Our Vision
GSNPCOP strives to be the centralized gateway, network, and resource for graduate students and new professionals that elevates current issues, addresses institutionalized culture, produces scholarly work, and implements innovative practices that promote systemic change in order to transform higher education and student affairs.
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.
ACPA Ambassador Program
Ambassadors are graduate students and new professionals working on campuses internationally to expand the knowledge of ACPA through a curriculum-based engagement experience. Our virtual program requires Ambassadors to serve as a liaison to their campuses and professional networks regarding ACPA-specific content, maintain virtual presence in the Community of Practice and enhance its vision and goals, and, if attending, volunteer at ACPA’s annual convention. During a designated cohort term, Ambassadors engage in valuable networking and professional development opportunities and are also prepared for future engagement and leadership roles in ACPA. Click on the Get Involved section to learn more about the application process.
To contact the Ambassadors team, email us at gsnpambassadors@gmail.com. You can also learn more about our program and connect with us through our social media:
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram (@gsnpambassadors)
- Follow us on Twitter (@gsnpambassadors)
Have you been a part of the Ambassadors Program in the past? Please join our LinkedIn Alumni Network!
News & Updates
ACPA Graduate Student and New Professional Scholarships Now Live!
ACPA's Graduate Student and New Professional Community of Practice is once again offering scholarships for ACPA23 and ACPA membership! The Convention Registration Scholarship is offered to graduate students and new professionals planning to attend ACPA23. This...
Apply to Serve as an ACPA23 Graduate Intern
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 28 OCTOBER 2022 ACPA is excited to recruit Graduate Interns to assist with the execution of the ACPA Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Convention Interns assist with numerous administrative responsibilities related to the execution of...
The 8th Vector – Volume 16: Our Final Publication
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice serves our membership through adaptive strategies and resources. Since its beginnings in 2004, The Eighth Vector created space for graduate students and new professionals to share best practices,...
The Liaison | Vol. 7
Monthly Newsletter Highlighting ACPA-Sponsored Events
2022 GSNPCOP Scholarship Winners
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice is PROUD to announce our 2022 sCHOLARSHIP Recipients. New Professional Convention Scholarship Erin MayoWorcester Polytechnic InstituteDoctoral Graduate Student Convention Scholarship Lauren...
2022 GSNPCOP Award Winners
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice is honored to announce our 2022 Award Recipients.Advancing Equity & Unsung Hero Erin MayoWorcester Polytechnic InstituteOutstanding Masters Student Julia RumseyBinghamton UniversityOutstanding New...
Engage with GSNPCOP at ACPA22
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...
2022 GSNPCOP Case Study Competition at ACPA22
ACPA22 is right around the corner which means it is time to sign up for the 2022 GSNPCOP Case Study Competition. This program will consist of teamwork, an in-person or virtual group oral presentation, and feedback provided by mid-level and senior professionals. Teams...
upcoming events
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Meet the Directorate
Tye Wesley
Chair
she/her/hers
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Julie Townley
Chair Elect
she/her/hers
University of North Texas
Ambassador Team
Zita Toth-Gaddis
Vice Chair
She/Her/Hers
St. Olaf College
Emily Abrams
Assistant Vice Chair
She/Her, They/Them
Michigan State University
Kristin Shimko
Assistant Vice Chair
She/Her/Hers
University of Kentucky
Rose Glenn
Logistics & Operations
She/Her/Hers
Notre Dame University of Maryland
Erika Forslund
Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
Clemson University
J Ravancho
Coordinator
They/Them/Theirs
Miami University
Kirwin Seger
Coordinator
He/Him/His
Western Illinois University
Noah Montague
Coordinator
He/Him/His
Miami University
Lauren West
Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
New York University
Jacob Miner
Coordinator
He/Him/His
Georgetown University
Networking Team
Steven Feldman
Coordinator for Convention Colleagues
He/Him, They/Them
Indiana University, Bloomington
Diamond Newsome
Coordinator for Recognition and Belonging
She/Her/Hers
George Washington University
Jon McCullough
Coordinator for Scholarships
He/Him/His
Bowling Green State University
Operations Team
Liv Maldonado
Vice Chair
She/Her/Hers
Appalachian State University
McKenna Kohl
Coordinator for Communications
She/Her/Hers
University of North Texas
Amy Hudock
Coordinator for Records & Website
She/Her/Hers
Dickinson College
Emily Rasch
Coordinator for Assessment
She/Her/Hers
Tulane University
Professional Development Team
Alex Rosenberry
Vice Chair
They/Them/Theirs
Clemson University
Blanca Moncada
Coordinator for Professional Engagement
She/Her/Ella
University of San Francisco
McKenzie Kitzmiller
Coordinator for Professional Engagement
She/Her/Hers
Clemson University
Zachary Smith
Coordinator for Professional Engagement
He/Him/His
Macalester College
Taylor Swan
Coordinator for Special Events
She/Her/Hers
Virginia Tech
Madeline Wilson
Coordinator for Special Events
She/Her/Hers
University of Iowa
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 gsnpcop@acpa.nche.edu to learn more about ACPA’s Graduate Students & New Professionals Community of Practice.
Any ACPA member can become involved and there are varying levels of involvement:
- Become an 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 Ambassadors
Individuals interested in serving as an Ambassador must apply and be selected for our cohort-style program. There are either one or two cohorts offered each academic year before annual convention begins. An update will be posted to this website and our various social media accounts regarding each cohort’s application process. If you would like to receive communication when a cohort’s application is opening, please complete this form: https://bit.ly/AmbassadorsInterest. Should you have any questions regarding Ambassadors involvement, please email gsnpambassadors@gmail.com.
Note: being an ACPA member at the time of application is not a requirement.
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 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.
Start gathering information today and get ready to recognize colleagues!
Nominations are closed for 2022 Convention Awards.
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 five 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 an outstanding 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 an outstanding 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.
Unsung Hero Award
This award is given to a graduate student or new professional initiating and leading action to remove barriers and improve equity and access in higher education. They constantly seek to improve the campus environment to enhance the experience of historically underrepresented student populations through concrete action in their communities.
Advancing Equity Award
This award is given to a graduate student or new professional initiating and leading action to remove barriers and improve equity in higher education. This person is dedicated to researching, understanding, and improving systemic barriers to historically underrepresented students.