We are pleased to announce the
2022 Pillars of the Profession

Each year, the NASPA Foundation recognizes exceptional members of the student affairs and higher education community through the Pillars of the Profession award, one of the Foundation’s highest honors. This award comes from you, our members and supporters, as a way to recognize your fellow colleagues who represent outstanding contributions to our field and our organization.

2022 John L. Blackburn Distinguished Pillar of the Profession Award

The NASPA Foundation selects recipients for the John L. Blackburn Distinguished Pillar award. This award is the NASPA Foundation's highest honor, celebrating previous Pillars of the Profession who have continued to contribute the field. For 2022, the Foundation is pleased to recognize:

Karen L. Pennington
Vice President for Student Development/Campus Life, Retired
Montclair State University

Mike Segawa
Vice President of Student Affairs, Former, Pitzer College, University of Puget Sound

2022 NASPA Foundation Pillars of the Profession

The NASPA Foundation is pleased to recognize outstanding members of the student affairs and higher education community through the Pillars of the Profession award, one of the Foundation’s highest honors. This award comes from you, our members and supporters, as a way to recognize your fellow colleagues who represent outstanding contributions to our field and our organization.

The NASPA Foundation Board of Directors is honored to designate each of the following exemplary individuals as a 2022 Pillar of the Profession:

• Willie L. Banks, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of California-Irvine
• Jerrid P. Freeman, Vice President for Student Affairs, Northeastern State University
• Eric Grospitch, Vice President for Student Life, Washburn University
• Lamar R. Hylton, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Kent State University
• Lincoln L. Johnson, Associate Vice President for Student Life, University of Washington
• Bridget Turner Kelly, Associate Professor, Student Affairs, University of Maryland-College Park
• Hikaru Kozuma, Executive Director for College Houses and Academic Services, University of Pennsylvania
• Carolyn H. Livingston, Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students, Carleton College
• Sara Adriana Mata, Research Associate, Vice President of Research and Partnerships, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
• Phyllis McCluskey-Titus, Professor, Illinois State University
• Michele Murray, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, College of the Holy Cross
• Joel Perez, Executive Coach & Owner, Apoyo Coaching
• Jason B. Pina, Chief Strategy Officer, Global Programs and University Life, New York University
• Joanna Royce-Davis, Vice President for Student Life, Pacific Lutheran University
• Marijo Russell-O'Grady (posthumous), Associate Vice President of Student Affairs / Dean of Students, Pace University
• Becky Spurlock, Vice President for Student Affairs and Leadership, University of Texas-Permian Basin
• Carla M. Stein, Dean of Student Affairs, Front Range Community College
• Courtney Stryker, Student Affairs Consultant, Qatar University

This new class of Pillars will be honored during the 2022 NASPA Annual Conference.

Help us celebrate the 2022 Pillars with a donation to the NASPA Foundation in honor of a member of the 2022 Pillars class who has influenced you personally and/or professionally. Take a moment to say thanks as your gifts ensure the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession and help answer the challenges we face as educators. You may donate online  and learn more about the Foundation's Pillar class.

For more information about the NASPA Foundation, you can also contact Lucy Fort at lfort@naspa.org or 202-719-1171.