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
July 2024
February 2024
November/December 2023
October 2023
September 2023
2022-23 Year in Review
News & Updates
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...
The Liaison | Vol. 6
Monthly Newsletter Highlighting ACPA-Sponsored Events
The Liaison | Vol. 5
Monthly Newsletter Highlighting ACPA-Sponsored Events
The Liaison | Vol. 4
Monthly Newsletter Highlighting ACPA-Sponsored Events
GSNPCOP Scholarship Applications are NOW OPEN!
We hope that this scholarship program removes barriers for graduate students and new professionals so they are able to attend Convention or be a part of ACPA in a way that is more financially feasible. This year, we are excited to be able to provide three different...
The Liaison | Vol. 3
Monthly Newsletter Highlighting ACPA-Sponsored Events
“When the World Stopped” How Undergraduate Women Leaders Developed their Identities During an Unanticipated Transition Recording
“When the World Stopped:" How Undergraduate Women Leaders Developed their Identities During an Unanticipated Transition (July 31, 2023) One of the many aims of colleges and universities is helping students to develop...
Careers in Student Affairs Month (CSAM)
October is Careers in Student Affairs (CSAM) is a month! This month-long initiative is dedicated to highlighting career paths in student affairs, educating and bringing awareness to professional functional areas in the field, and engaging with professional...
The Liaison | Vol. 2
Monthly Newsletter Highlighting ACPA-Sponsored Events
upcoming events
ACPA Growing Knowledge Series Webinar: The Process of Design for General Classroom Facilities in Higher Education Institutions
The Growing Knowledge Series (GKS) creates a pathway for those who have completed their dissertation, but never published, to share their scholarship with the profession through a hosted webinar. This collaborative effort […]
ACPA Growing Knowledge Series-Y’all Don’t Hear Me! Webinar: A Phenomenological Study on Non-Religious Black Student Affairs Professionals
The Growing Knowledge Series (GKS) creates a pathway for those who have completed their dissertation, but never published, to share their scholarship with the profession through a hosted webinar. This collaborative effort […]
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
Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS)
Event Coordinator
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
Ramon Izquierdo
Coordinator, Assessment
He/Him/His/El
University of Cincinnati
Community Coordinator
Maddy Wilson
Coordinator, Communications
She/Her/Hers
Boise State University
Student Organizations Coordinator
Professional Development Team
Blanca Moncada
Vice Chair
She/Her/Ella
San José State University
Coordinator for Academic Success
Anthony Dillard
Coordinator, Professional Engagement
He/Him/His
Miami University (OH)
Graduate Resident Director
Nallely Dominguez Holguin
Coordinator, Professional Engagement
She/Her/Ella
Mile High 360
Postsecondary Advisor
Tyaira Smith
Coordinator, Professional Engagement
She/Her/Hers
Miami University (OH)
Assistant Director, Center for Career Exploration and Success
Vacant
Coordinator, Special Events
Eddie Stakelum
Coordinator, Special Events
He/Him/His
Binghamton University (SUNY Binghamton)
LGBTQIA+ Living Community Graduate Assistant
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.
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GSNPCoP Scholarships
ACPA’s Graduate Student and New Professional Community of Practice is once again offering scholarships for ACPA25 and ACPA membership! If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]
For an overview of what scholarships we’ll be offering this year, please review below:
Convention Registration Scholarship
Application Closes: September 15th, 2024
Description: The Convention Registration Scholarship will cover the registration fee for the 2025 ACPA Convention in Long Beach, CA at Early Bird 2 Rate for ACPA Graduate Students and New Professionals ($239). If you are not an ACPA member and/or do not register by the deadline, you are responsible for making up the difference in costs.
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a current graduate student (Masters or Doctoral) or in the first 1-5 years of their professional role at the time of the 2025 Annual Convention. Also must plan to attend the 2025 Annual Convention February 16-19, 2025 in Long Beach, California.
Flat-Rate Scholarship
Application Opens: October 1st, 2024
Application Closes: December 15th, 2024
Description: This scholarship is intended to cover other financial needs associated with Convention other than registration (for example hotel, meals, airfare etc.) as we know that institutions might only fund certain parts of attendance. This scholarship’s recipients will each receive a flat-rate stipend to go towards conference expenses while attending ACPA25. The scholarship will most likely come in the form of a reimbursement – more information will shared at the time of acceptance.
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a current graduate student (Masters or Doctoral) or in the first 1-5 years of their professional role at the time of the 2025 Annual Convention. Also must plan to attend the 2025 Annual Convention February 16-19, 2025 in Long Beach, California.
Membership Scholarship:
Application Opens: October 1st, 2024
Application Closes: December 15th, 2024
Description: This scholarship is intended for grad students or new professionals who are unable to attend Annual Convention due to financial or other reasons. This scholarship will provide a year-long membership to ACPA where folks will be able to access ACPA2GO, the “Journal of College Student Development”; and “About Campus”, a network of Entity groups, and resources on the Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization.
Eligibility Requirements: Be a current graduate student (Masters or Doctoral) or in the first 1-5 years of their professional role at time of application submission
Additionally, we will looking for scholarship reviewers for these annual scholarships! Check back soon for a link to sign up to be a reviewer.
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 October 31st.
The Graduate Students and New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNPCoP) honors 7 individuals with the following awards during ACPA 2025 in Long Beach, California. If you have questions about this process, please contact the Awards Coordinator via email at [email protected].
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.