Dear NASPA Supporter:

This is one of our favorite times of year! We know many of you are winding down on your respective campuses and in your workplaces to prepare for a few days at a slower pace. Whether you enjoy reading, writing, exercising, baking, crafting, listening to music, ice skating, going to the beach, spending time with friends, catching up on a TV series, or any of the thousands of other areas of interest that represent our membership, we are excited for this pause. 

It is the pause that allows us to reflect. It is the pause that creates space for celebration. It is the pause that generates energy for the days ahead.

As we thought about this end-of-year message, we began recalling so many moments in 2025 that we experienced together as an organization, and as a community of higher education professionals. Here are a few of our top celebrations: 

• We kicked off the year with successful events in January: The Strategies Conferences connected 1,500 people leading health and well-being initiatives on campus. The Manicur Symposium, AVP Symposium, and Institute for New AVPs provided those in or aspiring to senior leadership roles with resources for discernment and reflection. 
• In March, 6,500+ people gathered in NOLA at our annual conference. What a powerful reminder of how uplifting our time together is! 
• Regional Conferences began in June and ran through this fall. We heard so many positive comments from attendees on the programming delivered and connections made across the country. 
• Events during Careers in Student Affairs Month met needs across all career levels, introducing undergraduates to the field, supporting new and mid-level professionals with resources and community, and providing tools and space for those experiencing career transitions. 
• NASPA provided analysis and practice resources through the Public Policy Hub and virtual events hosted with the Public Policy Division. If you have not had a chance to check out the Public Policy Hub, bookmark the page to continue receiving timely resources in 2026. 
• Our engagement across Global Initiatives was tremendous. A few key events include the MENASA Conference in Abu Dhabi and the European Conference for Student Affairs and Services in Portugal. Our global members bring vibrancy and tremendous perspective to our work. 
• In total, over 50,000 professionals participated in virtual and place-based events in 2025, representing over 5,000 first-time attendees. 
• Engagement through our social media platforms and publications was higher than ever. We registered over 280,000 downloads and/or views of NASPA journals and publications with an additional 829,000 website visitors. This does not include the hundreds of members who enjoyed our most recent Leadership Exchange issue focused on Community Colleges. Explore all past digital versions of the magazine here.

To say we are proud is an understatement. Looking at this brief summary–which is by no means an exhaustive list– has left us so energized for the opportunities before us. We know that all of this is only possible through the dedication and commitment of over 2,000 volunteers who generously give their time and support to NASPA. With all of our appreciation, thank you.

To that end, we cannot wait to see you in Kansas City for #NASPA26 in early March. This will offer your first peek into the Board-approved strategic plan, engagement at the inaugural kick-off celebration, a space for networking, and sessions focused on timely topics. We will see you there! 

Sincerely,

Michael N. Christakis, Ph.D.
NASPA Board Chair, 2025-2026
Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment, University at Albany

Amelia Parnell, Ph.D. 

NASPA President