ACPA International Office

The ACPA International Office, headquartered in Washington, D.C. at the National Center for Higher Education in One Dupont Circle, provides the operational leadership necessary to support the Governing Board, the Assembly, and the nearly 6,500+ members. ACPA’s Executive Director serves as a member of the Washington Higher Education Secretariat group in advocating for issues of importance to higher education to the federal government and the U.S. Congress.

p: 202-835-2272

E-Mail Chris

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.

p: 202-759-4825

E-Mail Tricia

Tricia Fechter Gates, Ph.D.

Deputy Executive Director

Tricia joined the ACPA International Office staff in April 2013 as the Senior Director, Professional Development, Research, and Scholarship and currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director. Tricia leads the professional development, marketing, and technology teams and oversees the strategy, creation, and execution of programs and products to drive the Association’s innovative efforts.

Prior to working at ACPA, Tricia served as the Director of Events & Programs at Synergos, an Association Management Company. She has previous work experience with the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, Rockhurst University, and the University of South Carolina Aiken.

Tricia earned a bachelor’s in secondary education from Saint Louis University, a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina, and an MBA from Rockhurst University. She holds a Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University. She also holds the Certified Association Executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives. Tricia lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her partner Kevin and their four children.

p: 202-759-4830

E-Mail Schawn

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 Florida with her partner Andres, their two children, and two french bulldogs.

p: 202-688-1978

E-Mail Tim

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.

p: 202-539-6505

E-Mail Sarah

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.

p: 202-759-4834

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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.

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BRIAN HERCLIFF-PROFFER

Director, Member Belonging

Brian joined ACPA International Office in September of 2022. He is responsible for working on member retention initiatives such as the Association Awards process and annual member resolutions, supporting cohort based institute planning teams including NextGen and the Donna M. Bourassa Mid-Level Management Institute, coordinating association public policy work, and management of association accommodation and access requests.

Prior to joining the ACPA Team, Brian spent over 17 years in higher education focusing on creating belonging through student organizations and activities, leadership programs, and faculty/staff identity-based advocacy organizations and has worked at a variety of institutions in the state of Michigan. Brian has served as a volunteer in ACPA in a multitude of capacities including within the Association Entities and 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. He lives in Lansing, Michigan with his husband and their cat-daughter Lyra.

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E-Mail Brian

BRIAN HOPKINS

Director, Convention & Events

Brian joined the ACPA International Office in December 2022. He is responsible for working with planning teams to implement ACPA’s Annual Convention and other events including, but not limited to, the Institute on the Curricular Approach, the Student Affairs Assessment Institute, the National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education Institute, and the Presidential Symposium.

Prior to joining ACPA, Brian worked in the higher education field for nearly 14 years. Brian worked at the University of Mount Union in Ohio as well as Stony Brook University and Syracuse University in New York. He worked in different functional areas including residence life, student orientation, first year programs, student success, and academic support. In addition to his formal positions, Brian served ACPA in a variety of capacities including three years as a Convention Planning Team member culminating with his serving as the Program Chair for ACPA’s 2022 convention in St. Louis, MO.

Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Walsh University and a master’s degree in counselor education from Clemson University. Brian lives in Northeast Ohio and enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and takes every opportunity he has to enjoy live theater.

p: 202-759-4831

E-Mail Bethany

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! Bethany is a Mom to her daughter and two dogs and enjoys working on various creative projects with her wife at their home in Maryland.