delivered on Tuesday, February 18, 2025
I want to share my journey with you—how I found myself standing here as the 86th President of ACPA-College Student Educators International, an organization that has become my professional home for the past 15 years. So much of my life has been shaped by others who saw in me a potential I hadn’t yet recognized. As I reflect, I know deeply that I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. My hope in sharing my story is that others will see themselves in this journey and know that they, too, are exactly where they need to be.
In many ways, my story represents a legacy of firsts. As Vice President Kamala Harris once said, “I may be the first, but I will not be the last.” I stand here not only as a reflection of my journey but as an example of what is possible for the next generation of leaders. My presidency is about creating space for those who will come after me, especially for people from historically marginalized backgrounds, and ensuring that they see themselves in positions of leadership.
To my lifetime friends, mentors, and support system—thank you. Your love, guidance, and belief in me have been the foundation of everything I have accomplished. Specifically, I want to thank Drs. Cameron Beatty and Jordan West, who introduced me during this presidential transition. Thank you for your endless love and support. I am better and stronger because of you both, and I couldn’t imagine this journey without you by my side.
My name is Jonathan Alan McElderry, and I use he/him pronouns. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, I owe everything to my family, particularly my mother, Darlene Colbert, and my nan, Betty Sue Smith. They have always modeled resilience, and their prayers and unwavering support have guided me every step of the way.
As a first-generation college student, I knew that higher education would be my path to a different future. George Mason University broadened my perspective and introduced me to the field of student affairs. The support I received from administrators not only helped me walk across the stage but also set me on the path that led me here today.
Throughout my journey, mentorship has played a pivotal role. As a first-generation scholar, I didn’t have a roadmap to follow, but I had mentors who guided me, introduced me to this association, and lifted my name in rooms where I wasn’t present. They encouraged me to ask the right questions and helped me see opportunities I hadn’t even considered. Their belief in me shaped how I lead today—with intentionality and a commitment to lifting others as I climb.
My career as a practitioner has been deeply rooted in identity center work and diversity, equity, and inclusion—long before it became both a popular and controversial topic. Through mentorship, advocacy, and programming, I have worked to enhance the experiences of minoritized students at historically white institutions. My work and leadership are deeply connected to my personal history and social identities. I understand firsthand the challenges that many students face, which is why I am so passionate about creating spaces where they feel seen, supported, and empowered.
One of the greatest rewards in this work is witnessing the growth of students. Watching them achieve life milestones—graduations, new ventures, job promotions—while reflecting on our shared experiences has been incredibly fulfilling. I often remind students that while they have learned from me, I have gained just as much from them. These interactions have made me a better practitioner, colleague, friend, brother, and mentor.
The significance of mentorship was made especially clear to me during one of the most personal moments of my career. As I prepared for my dissertation defense, several students asked to attend. Initially, I was hesitant, feeling vulnerable about sharing such a personal moment. But they insisted, saying they had been with me throughout the journey and wanted to support me. On the day of my defense, amid the protests at Mizzou, I walked into the room to find it filled with students who came to share that moment with me. It was a powerful reminder that representation matters. For many of them, I was the first person they had seen earn a terminal degree. That day wasn’t just about me; it was about what I represented to them.
Looking back, my involvement with ACPA has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. I attended my first ACPA conference in 2010 in Boston. I remember feeling nervous, uncertain about what to wear or how the experience would unfold. Thankfully, I was accompanied by lifelong friends from undergrad, Drs. Chiquita Baylor and Cameron Harris, who had already found community in the space. By the end of that conference, I knew I had to come back because I felt at home.
Since then, I have been actively involved in ACPA, from serving in entity leadership roles in the Pan African Network (PAN) and the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs to serving on the Governing Board as Director of Equity and Inclusion. These experiences have deepened my commitment to equity and inclusion in higher education and have allowed me to form meaningful connections with colleagues across the country.
I can’t reflect on my journey with ACPA without acknowledging the profound impact of the Pan African Network. The people within PAN have influenced me both personally and professionally in ways that are immeasurable. My introduction to PAN began during an open business meeting, when Dr. Tracey Cameron, a past PAN Chair, leaned over and told me, “I went to Ohio University too.” From that moment, a beautiful mentorship and friendship began, launching my involvement in the association.
Over the past year, many people have asked if serving as association president was a goal of mine. The truth is it wasn’t. I had found my home in ACPA and, as time went on, I immersed myself in new opportunities, but the presidency wasn’t something I envisioned for myself initially. However, as my term as Director of Equity and Inclusion came to a close, the idea began to grow on me. After much reflection and conversations with mentors, I decided to apply, and the rest is history.
My leadership is guided by intentionality, by the belief that leadership is about service, not status. I aim to lead with vulnerability, reflection, and what I call “critical hope,” inspired by Past President Heather Shea’s 2023 address. This approach emphasizes hope and resilience in the face of challenges, particularly within the DEI landscape in higher education. I also believe deeply in the power of partnership and collaboration. Greatness is not achieved alone—it’s built through working with others.
As I look toward the future of ACPA, I am excited about the transformative work we will continue to lead. The challenges facing higher education are significant—from workforce sustainability and enrollment challenges to racial justice and supporting an increasingly diverse student body—but I am confident that ACPA will continue to be a leader in navigating these changes. One of my key priorities will be to position ACPA for the future by focusing on workforce sustainability, ensuring that those doing the work are well-supported, and that students thrive as a result.
The core question driving my work during my presidency is, How do we position ACPA for the future? While these operational goals are essential, I also want to highlight the heart of my presidency, which focuses on the theme of Mentoring with Purpose: Building Networks of Support in Higher Education. I’ll be sharing more about these presidential priorities in the next issue of Developments.
Finally, I want to encourage each of you to think about how you can mentor and support the next generation of leaders. Succession planning and legacy building are critical to our association’s continued success. I am proud to be part of the first all-Black Male Presidential Trio with incoming President-Elect Kelvin Rutledge and Past President Stephen John Quaye. Their leadership is part of the fabric of this association, and I am honored to be part of that legacy.
In closing, I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey—my mentors, my friends, my colleagues. You have all shaped me into the leader I am today. As we move forward, I challenge each of you to lead with intentionality, to mentor with purpose, and to continue the work of creating a more just and inclusive higher education landscape. Together, we will build a legacy that lifts others and creates lasting change.
Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to serving as your 86th President.
Jonathan A. McElderry, Ph.D.
Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence & Assistant Professor, Elon University
President, ACPA – College Student Educators International