ACPA International Office

Chris Moody, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Dr. Chris Moody is currently the Executive Director of ACPA and has served in this role since December 2017. Chris received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University (NC), his Master’s degree in College Student Development from Appalachian State University (NC), and his Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University (DC).

Prior employment experiences include staff roles at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University, the University of Memphis, and the Semester at Sea program. Just before coming to ACPA, Chris was Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Campus Life at American University in Washington, DC (USA). In this role as AVP, he provided strategic and managerial supervision and leadership to three university departments: Housing & Residence Life, One Card & Dining Services, and University Conferences & Guest Services. Chris was employed at American University in various roles of increasing responsibility from 2004 to 2017.

Over his twenty years of membership with American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Chris has been a program presenter, job employer and candidate, charter chairperson for the District of Columbia College Personnel Association (DCCPA), president of DCCPA, Director of Membership Development on the Governing Board, and a four-time annual convention team member (2011, 2012, 2014, and 2016 annual conventions. His most treasured professional experience to date was serving as chairperson for the ACPA 2016 Convention in Montreal, Canada, the first comprehensive student affairs in higher education organization to host its annual meeting outside of the United States. 

Tricia Fechter Gates, Ph.D.

Deputy Executive Director

Schawn Abello

Director of Association Services and Administration

Schawn joined the International Office staff in September 2012 as Association Services Coordinator and currently serves as the Director of Association Services and Administration. She is responsible for general administration, provides office and database support to the Association, and serves as the first point of customer service to the Association’s members.

Schawn brings a wealth of experience from various administrative positions at an international school in New Jersey and Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.

Schawn earned a bachelor’s in communications from Loyola University Maryland. She resides in Maryland with her partner Andres, their two young children, and two french bulldogs.

Tim Arth

Senior Director, Membership & Strategic Business Development

Tim joined the International Office team in November, 2014. As the Senior Team Lead, Strategic Business & Resource Development, Tim serves as the primary resource to ACPA’s prospective institutional members on college and university campuses and strategically directs ACPA’s Corporate Partnerships program.

Prior to joining ACPA, Tim worked for six years in various capacities at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) and with the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA). 

Tim earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boston College and a master’s degree in student affairs administration in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at Indiana University. 

Sarah Garner

Director, Entity Relations, Training & Development

Sarah joined the ACPA International Office as Director, Entity Relations, Training & Development after serving the Association in various volunteer leadership roles. She is responsible for the strategic advancement of ACPA’s internal constituent and entity groups and serves as their primary staff resource. She provides day to day support to ensure the success of all entity groups and leads the ongoing training and development for volunteers across the Association.

Sarah’s professional background spans nearly two decades and several industries, including higher ed, non-profit, and ed tech. Prior to working at ACPA, Sarah served as the Senior Client Success & Training Manager for a tech company specializing in solutions for higher ed and membership orgs. She has previous work experience in student affairs as well, specifically in student engagement, leadership development, service-learning, campus unions, and fraternity and sorority life. 

Sarah holds dual master’s degrees in student affairs administration (Michigan State University) and human resource management (Colorado State University), with a specialization in organizational learning and performance. She is also certified by the Association for Talent Development (CPTD) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-CP). Beyond work, Sarah is a seasoned traveler, avid car camper, and enjoys visiting (inter)national parks with her partner.

Tom Gentry

Senior Team Lead, Finance, Accounting and Risk

Tom joined the International Office staff in 2008 and serves as Senior Team Lead, Finance, Accounting and Risk. He manages all fiscal and accounting functions and oversees human resources at the IO.

Before coming to ACPA, Tom spent 12 years as a U.S. Navy Officer before establishing roots in the D.C. area in 1993, and he has held administrative and financial management positions with several non-profit associations.

Tom received his bachelor’s in economics from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a master’s in financial management from The Johns Hopkins University.

BRIAN HERCLIFF-PROFFER

Director, Member Belonging

Prior to joining the ACPA Team, Brian spent over 15 years as a Student Affairs Professional focusing on creating belonging through student organizations, student activities, leadership programs, orientation, and faculty/staff identity-based advocacy organizations. He has worked at a variety of institutions in the state of Michigan including University of Michigan-Flint, Concordia University-Ann Arbor, Marygrove College, and Michigan State University. Brian has served as a volunteer in ACPA in a multitude of capacities including ACPA-Michigan leadership and conference teams, Coalition for Sexuality and Gender Identities directorate board, ACPAat100 committee and the ACPA17, ACPA18 and ACPA19 National convention planning teams.

Brian earned a bachelor’s in communication from the University of Michigan-Flint and a master’s degree in educational leadership in higher education in student affairs from Eastern Michigan University.

As a Michigander, Brian lives in Lansing, Michigan with his husband and their cat-daughter Lyra. He fills his time with friends, chosen-family and volunteering for his fraternity.

BRIAN HOPKINS

Director, Convention & Events

Bethany Tognocchi Lyst

Director, Marketing & Communications

Bethany Tognocchi Lyst joined the International Office in September 2017 as the Director of Marketing & Communications. She is responsible for all ACPA related marketing materials, targeted communication efforts, website upkeep and social media campaigns. She oversees implementation of the ACPA visual brand and ensures all materials tell the ACPA story.

Bethany earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Towson University in 2011 and master’s degree in student affairs from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2013. She has previously held positions in Residence Life at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Georgetown University.

Her dual passions for visual communication and student affairs makes ACPA the perfect professional home! As a Baltimore native, Bethany enjoys being in the DC area close to family and friends but loves to travel as often as possible with her wife and two dogs.