Thank you for stopping by to learn more about the ACPA Mid-Level Community of Practice (MLCoP). 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 mlcop@acpa.nche.edu or connect with the members of our Directorate Body with questions or ideas.
Our Mission
our purpose
The purposes for MLCOP are:
- To provide programs and services for the unique needs of mid-level professionals.
- To foster a community of practice that will sustain and enrich mid-level professionals throughout the year.
- To provide ongoing professional development opportunities through convention programs, leadership opportunities within ACPA, webinars, publications, and other forms of programming throughout the year designed for mid-level professionals.
MLCop History
During the 2012 ACPA July Leadership Meeting, the idea of creating an entity group to support mid-level professionals within ACPA began while Dr. Alice Mitchell was serving on the ACPA Governing Board as the member-at-large for mid-level professionals. Working along with Dr. Susan Sullivan, the member-at-large-elect for mid-level professionals, they began working with ACPA to establish the Mid-Level Community of Practice.
In March 2013, Mitchell drafted a proposal to the ACPA President Kathleen Kerr to establish an entity group for mid-level professionals. It was then approved by the ACPA Governing Board to establish a three year pilot entity called Mid-Level Community of Practice (MLCOP).
Over the next year Mitchell, Sullivan, and Dave Zamansky begin the work to formalize MLCOP as an established entity within ACPA. Dr. Nicky Damania was brought onto the team and worked on establishing an online presence and professional development opportunities.
In spring of 2013, the ACPA Governing Board revised its bylaws and recognized a Community of Practice as a standalone entity group. Finally on August 12, 2013, ACPA announced the establishment of Mid-Level Community of Practice to its membership.
Zamansky was appointed to serve as the first Chair, while Mitchell and Sullivan served as the representatives from the ACPA Governing Board.
Soon a group of 13 ACPA mid-level professionals were nominated, selected, and accepted to serve as the first directorate for ACPA’s first community of Practice, MLCOP (March 2014-March 2015). Those 13 individuals were: Alex Becking, Georgia Tech; Kristin Carpenter, University of New Hampshire; Jennifer Cox, Longwood University; Nicky Damania, University of Nevada, Reno; Kristin Dees, California Lutheran University; Lisa Evaneski, State University of New York at Oswego; Joe Halter, University of Colorado-Denver; Nate Hastings, University of New Hampshire; Beth John, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Kia Kuresman, National Labor College; Benjamin Meoz, California Polytechnic State University; Jen Rentschler, University of Georgia; Jeanne Sevigny, State University of New York at Oswego.
The directorate worked hard over the next year to establish itself through programs at convention, webinars, article discussions, and more.
how we define Mid-Level Professional
Recognizing that many definitions or conceptualizations exist, MLCOP defines mid-level professionals as those with more than five years of full-time experience in higher education who are not senior professionals. The mid-level is a broad categorization. Recognizing this breadth, within this mid-level it is possible that formal or informal subgroups might develop to represent those who are early, mid, or senior within the mid-level itself. If such subgroups develop better to focus on programs and services designed for mid-level professionals, we welcome and encourage the formation of such subgroups.
For some professionals, mid-level is a position at which they wish to remain for their professional careers. The reasons for doing so are as unique as the individuals themselves and which may encompass not only professional concerns but personal concerns as well. Likewise, some professionals see the mid-level as a stepping-stone to senior level opportunities. It is for this broad group of mid-level professionals that the MLCOP wishes to offer programs and services designed to enrich their professional practice.
News & Updates
“Mid-Level Morsels: Resume Review” Workshop (January 24, 2025) Strengthen your professional skills with Career Services colleagues. Partnership between the Mid-Level Community of Practices and the Commission for Career...
MLCOP wants to hear from you!: Mid-Level Needs Assessment
MLCOP wants to hear from you!: Mid-Level Needs Assessment
No Longer My Ministry: The State of Black Women in Academia Webinar Recording
"No Longer My Ministry: The State of Black Women in Academia" Webinar Recording (February 15, 2024) Scholar and feminist bell hooks noted, “Choosing wellness is an act of political resistance.” This webinar explores the current experiences of Black women in academia....
What Drove Them To Leave? Understanding Professional Staff Departure
"What Drove Them To Leave? Understanding Professional Staff Departure" Webinar Recording (February 6, 2024) The field of...
Revising Your Resume Workshop Recording
"Revising Your Resume" Workshop (January 18, 2024) Strengthen your professional skills with Career Services colleagues. ...
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...
Mid Level Community of Practice: Reflecting on our Past, Transforming our Future
"Mid Level Community of Practice: Reflecting on our Past, Transforming our Future" (December, 7, 2023) A panel discussion was held...
MLCOP Past Award Recipients
2025: Distinguished Service to the Mid-Level Community of Practice Award: Josh Kinchen Exceptional Mid-Level Professional Award: Yashwant Prakash Vyas Mid-Level Practitioner-Scholar Award: Dr. Nicholas Lamar Wright Notable Entity Partner Award: Dr. Brandon K. Johnson...
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...
Mid-Level Community of Practice’s Monthly Newsletter
Each month, the MLCOP publishes a newsletter which includes articles about best practices in student affairs/services, current trends in higher education, research opportunities, as well as Mid-Level Professional Spotlights. Please see below digest of past...
upcoming MLCOP events
There are no upcoming events at this time
Meet the Directorate
JASON MOCKFORD
Past Chair
jmockfor@calpoly.edu
Andrew Ives, EDD
Chair
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
aives@uwlax.edu
Jess Shapiro
Chair Elect
Ithaca College
jess.shapiro.310@gmail.com
Dan Cantiller
Directorate Member (Communications-Social Media)
Toronto Metropolitan University
dancan@torontomu.ca
Hannah aksamit
Directorate Member (Professional Development)
University of California San Diego
haksamit@ucsd.edu
Jen Lombardo
Directorate Member (Communications)
University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy
lombardo@uchicago.edu
Jose Marroquin
Directorate Member
The Society of Actuaries
josemarroquin1@gmail.com
Luis Alarcon
Directorate Member
Lincoln Land Community College
Luis.Alarcon@llcc.edu
Mike Kutnak
Directorate Member (Assessment and Research)
Queens University of Charlotte
kutnakm@queens.edu
PRISCILLA JU
Directorate Member (Professional Development)
University of California, San Diego
pju@ucsd.edu
Shavon Hutchinson
Directorate Member (Strategic Partnerships)
The University of the West Indies Mona Shavon.hutchinsonja
@gmail.com
Get Involved in mlcop
Become a member of the Mid-Level 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! After you update your profile denoting MLCoP entity involvement, you will begin to receive Entity communications and have access to any resources MLCoP shares. This is the first step to involvement with MLCoP!
- Click here to log into the ACPA member portal
- Navigate to “My Account” in the upper right corner
- On the dropdown, click “My Profile”
- Update your Personal Information and use the tabs across the top to update your Entity Involvement Profile
Contact MLCOP via email at mlcop@acpa.nche.edu to learn more about ACPA’s Mid-Level Community of Practice.
- Apply to serve on the Directorate! MLCOP is currently accepting applications to fill vacant Directorate positions. To apply, please submit a cover letter, detailing your experience and why you are interested, as well as your resume to Dale O’Neill, Past Chair, at dmoneill@loyno.edu by February 3, 2025.
- Contribute to the Monthly MLCoP Newsletter. Each month, the MLCoP publishes a newsletter which includes articles about best practices in student affairs/services, current trends in higher education, research opportunities, as well as Mid-Level Professional Spotlights.
- Attend a program. Throughout the upcoming year, we will host an array of professional development opportunities for you to engage in. Many of these webinars and roundtables are free to you as an ACPA member. In addition, if you are unable to attend, there will be a recording that can be provided to you.
- Serve as a reviewer. Each year, MLCoP asks for volunteers to review our Mid-Level Management Institute scholarship applications, annual awards, and convention endorsed programs.
- Submit to be an endorsed program for Convention.
- Attend our open business meeting at the annual ACPA convention.
Mlcop Awards and Scholarships
Start gathering information today and get ready to recognize colleague!
Donna M. Bourassa Mid-Level Management Institute Scholarship
MLCOP Annual Awards
EXCEPTIONAL MID-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL AWARD
This award recognizes contributions made by an individual mid-level professional to the field of student affairs or higher education. Mid-Level Professionals are those who have been in the field for more than five years and are not a Senior Student Affairs Officer.
MID-LEVEL PRACTITIONER-SCHOLAR AWARD
This award recognizes contributions made by an individual or group currently active in MLCOP. The recipient(s) of this award will have created a body of work throughout the year that further expands the mission of MLCOP.
OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO THE STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND DECOLONIZATION (SIRJD)
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Strategic Imperative for Social Justice and Decolonization. The nominee should be a mid-level professional. Mid-Level Professionals are those who have been in the field for more than five years and are not a Senior Student Affairs Officer.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE MID-LEVEL COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
This award recognizes contributions made by an individual or group currently active in MLCOP. The recipient(s) of this award will have created a body of work throughout the year that further expands the mission of MLCOP.
NOTABLE ENTITY PARTNER AWARD
This award recognizes the contributions of an ACPA Entity Group or an individual working within another ACPA Entity Group. Individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to the Mid-Level Community of Practice should be nominated for this award.
2024-2025 Award Nominations are now closed. Please return to this website in September 2025.