Category: Volume 22

Dear ACPA members,

It feels quite unusual to be writing this submission for ACPA’s Developments publication for the month of March and to have the ACPA Annual Convention already concluded, but here we are!  To be honest, it was a gift for the ACPA Annual Convention to occur earlier in 2025 than usual because our community needed time and space together after what many have experienced as an ongoing series of attacks at our purposes, our identities, our humanity, and our livelihood this year. For those who were not able to be with us in Long Beach for the ACPA25 Convention, I hope you have also taken the important time of attending to your health, safety, wellness, and well-being. This year’s convention theme, “Take a Breath, and Begin Again” is likely going to be a centralizing mantra for many of us for the unforeseeable future.

In one issue of Developments per year, I provide a record of the business transacted by the Association as required by the ACPA Standard Operating Procedures. We shared highlights of the past year at the ACPA25 Convention Annual Business Meeting, yet we know that some of our members may not have been able to be present with us for those updates. Following each Annual Convention seems like an appropriate time to provide this briefing as ACPA members typically think about their professional involvement and connection from convention to convention each year. It is my honor to offer this reflection on ACPA’s most recent year as a summary of the business actions and decisions taken by ACPA governance and International Office for the period between the 2024 Annual Convention in Chicago through the ACPA25 Annual Convention in Long Beach, held 16-19 February 2025.

March 2024

• The 2024 Annual Convention was held March 18-21 in Chicago, Illinois, and welcomed 2,276 attendees. The city of Chicago was a significant place for hosting this Centennial Celebration as it was the place where ACPA’s founders met for the first time 100 years ago in 1924, and where the Association held this event for the 25^th and 50^th There were no Bylaws proposals introduced at the 2024 Annual Business Meeting in Chicago.
• The conclusion of the 2024 Annual Business Meeting on March 20 marked the implementation of the first phase of a new governance model, transitioning from the previous Governing Board to the ACPA Leadership Council. The staggered approach to introducing the new governance structure was divided into two phases with the full model now in place as of February 2025.The new Leadership Council structure intends to respond to the evolving ways in which the Association attends to making volunteer leadership more attainable, sustainable, and innovative.
• While at the 2024 Annual Convention, the final set of proposals from the Future Conventions Task Force was accepted with the intention of implementing a 3-day annual convention structure beginning in 2029. In addition, governance leaders also approved a revision to the Standard Operating Procedures related to the nominations and elections process and timeline to respond to the shortened time available to new leader selection between the 2024 and 2025 Annual Conventions.
• The ACPA International Office launched the membership loyalty campaign, recognizing nearly 2,100 members who have been members for 5+ years.

April 2024

• In the April Leadership Council meeting, LaTecia Yarbrough was appointed to complete the remaining one-year term for a Member-at-Large position vacancy.
• Vice President of Equity & Inclusion, Jasmine Lee, provided the annual summary of bias incident reports received to the Leadership Council, which included only 1 submission between the 2023 and 2024 Conventions related to convention hotel accessibility concerns.
• A revised budget and proposed registration rate and policy changes for the 2025 Annual Convention in Long Beach and the 2026 Annual Convention in Baltimore were presented to and approved by the Administrative Council during the April meeting.

May 2024

• The new governance structure and policies suggest an every-other-month meeting schedule for Leadership Council meetings, so the full Leadership Council did not convene in May. Leadership Council meetings were also not held in July 2024, September 2024, or December 2024.
• The Administrative Council approved a restated budget for fiscal year 2024, proposed changes to the Annual Convention guest rates and policies, and a 3-year joint membership incentive campaign with the Caribbean Tertiary Level Personnel Association (CTLPA) during their May meeting.
• Based on a proposal from CTLPA leaders, the Administrative Council also approved discounted rate structures for most ACPA professional development events for attendees from outside of the United States for the following 3 years.

June 2024

• Based on the May motion from the Administrative Council, the full Leadership Council voted to approve the proposed fiscal year 2024 Association Budget restatement, setting new revenue and expense goals for the calendar year.
• During late 2023-early 2024, the Association hired EdPros to conduct a disability accessibility audit of ACPA’s programmatic and digital activities. A summary of recommendations and future actions was accepted by the Leadership Council for implementation during the June meeting.
• The Leadership Council tasked the Vice President for Membership, Gudrun Nyunt, with creating a task force to consider how the Association might further recruit and engage graduate students in the future.
• All Association volunteer and staff leaders participated in a mid-year virtual All-Leadership Summit on 21 June. Over 100 leaders joined for this opportunity to dive deeper into Association planning and strategy.

July 2024

• In July, the Administrative Council approved expanded eligibility criteria for registrations for the 2024 Paul Shang Aspiring Executive Officers Institute connected to the rebranding of this professional development experience to individuals beyond traditional student affairs/services functions.
• During this month, the Administrative Council initiated numerous contractual, financial, and legal discussions that are reported below as they were actualized in later months.

August 2024

• Aja Holmes was selected and announced as the chair of the 2026 Annual Convention to occur in Baltimore, Maryland (31 March – 2 April 2026).
• A resource frequently utilized by volunteer leaders, the ACPA Leadership Manual, was approved to be renamed as the ACPA Entity Leadership Manual, to focus the intention of the resources contained in this document.
• The Leadership Council approved a number of Standard Operating Procedures changes proposed by the Bylaws & Policies Council, including: authorizing the Volunteer Training & Development Council to make future changes to the ACPA Entity Leadership Manual, relocating the Association Alcohol Policy into the Standard Operating Procedures, and enacting the policy of requiring Internal ACPA Chapters to no longer maintain external bank accounts, and various policy changes related to ACPA publications.
• The Administrative Council approved the fiscal year 2023 tax documents 990 and 990-T as prepared by Petrella Phillips, LLC certified public accountants.
• The 2024 Leadership Council elections were held to identify leaders to begin their terms in governance leadership in 2025. Elections for member voting were held earlier this year than usual, given the early dates of the 2025 Annual Convention.

September 2024

• The Administrative Council approved the proposal to present to the Leadership Council for the 2025 fiscal year Association budget.

October 2024

• Activities connected to celebrating ACPA’s 100^th Anniversary Year concluded on October 21, the annual “ACPA Day,” with a dinner event in Washington, D.C.
• The 2020-2024 Association Strategic Plan was timed to conclude with the anniversary celebrations, and highlights from this plan were shared with members via weekly email from late October through December 2024. This plan focused on five core pillars guiding Association strategy and efforts since 2020: Celebrating 100 Years of ACPA, Attending to Our Current and Future Membership, the Generation and Sharing of Transformative Educational Experiences, Maintaining and Increasing Our Strengths in Research & Scholarship, and Association Leadership and Presence.
• The Leadership Council approved the fiscal year 2025 Association budget as proposed by the Administrative Council.
• As part of the 2024 Nominations & Elections Process the Leadership Council made the following appointments for the 2025-2026 governance year: Nicole Whitner as Nominations & Elections Chair, Nicholas Lamar Wright as Racial Justice Strategies Chair, Zak Foste as Research & Scholarship Chair, and Mike Kutnak as Universal Design Strategies Chair.
• A partnership agreement with the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals was signed in October, creating programmatic opportunities for both organizations connected to the 2025 and 2026 Annual Conventions.
• The Administrative Council offered, negotiated, and completed a contract extension to Chris Moody as ACPA Executive Director through December 2031.
• 2024-2025 ACPA President Rachel Aho collaborated with the ASHE President Jeni Hart in hosting the 2024 ACPA/ASHE Presidential Symposium on the topic, “Backward and Forward: Reflection, Action, and Inspiration for Scholarship and Praxis,” during which we hosted a panel of thoughtful leaders in discussing individual and collective perspectives on free speech, activism, anti-DEI legislation, and career sustainability.
• In October and November 2024, ACPA offered six virtual Community Conversation events for ACPA members to spend time preparing for and processing the 2024 US Presidential Elections.

November 2024

• In the November meeting, the Leadership Council received an update and provided feedback to the Task Force working on proposed revisions to the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies for Student Affairs Educators.
• The Leadership Council approved three additions to the Standard Operating Procedures: 1) Documenting the intentions for a future schedule of Association financial audits, 2) adding and updating the Volunteer Travel and Reimbursement Policy to the SOPs, and 3) outlining the circumstances for when the Association should initiate discussions to consider relocating a future Annual Convention site already under contract(s).
• Following several years of increasing collaboration, a partnership agreement with the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) and the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) was fully executed in October, committing all three organizations to financial, personnel, and logistics support for the following 3 years.
• The Administrative Council approved changes to the Professional Development Event Registration and Cancellation Policy to take effect with the opening of registration for the ACPA26 Annual Convention in Baltimore.

December 2024

• The Administrative Council reviewed and approved changes to the ACPA Personnel Policy Manual, the resource articulating employment policies for the ACPA International Office staff.

January 2025

• In January, it was announced to the membership that the 2029 Annual Convention will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana and the 2030 Annual Convention will be hosted in Anaheim/Disneyland, California. These annual gatherings will occur after the 2026 convention in Baltimore, Maryland, the 2027 convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the 2028 convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
• The open call for volunteers for general members to join the 2025-2026 Working Councils and Task Forces of the Leadership Council was distributed and appointments to the various groups were made.
• A multi-year partnership agreement with the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) was signed in January, creating membership and conference opportunities for both organizations in advance of ACPA’s 2027 Annual Convention in Toronto.
• The Leadership Council approved updates to the Standard Operating Procedures to incorporate new positions and structures related to the second and full implementation of the new governance model. The new SOPs were approved to take effect on 18 February 2025 at the conclusion of the 2025 Annual Business Meeting.
• The Administrative Council approved proposed updates to the ACPA Accounting Procedures Manual, the document articulating financial and accounting policies and procedures for the work of the ACPA International Office staff.

February 2025

• The 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Leadership Councils met in-person in Long Beach, California in advance of the 2025 Annual Convention. In addition to strategy sessions regarding some of the issues and concerns facing higher education and the Association, the Leadership Council accepted the report from the Labor Acknowledgements Task Force following nearly two years of work on these recommendations. 2025-2026 ACPA President Jonathan A. McElderry was charged by the Leadership Council with appointing a task force to implement various components of the report.
• The 2025 Annual Business Meeting of members was held on Tuesday, 18 February 2025 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Those in attendance represented a quorum of the membership, as defined in the ACPA Bylaws. A video honoring the memorial, retirement, and anniversary resolutions to be recognized at this Convention was displayed, and the resolution was presented to and approved by the membership.

Not specific to any month, Vice President for Volunteer Leadership Amanda Mollet shared during the 2025 Annual Business Meeting that the previous year was particularly strong for the 52 ACPA entity groups, providing connection and spaces of tremendous meaning, growth, and community within the Association. ACPA’s entity groups are led by more than 400 volunteer leaders who hosted 65 professional development events, which engaged nearly 2,000 participants across the previous year. All this activity is in addition to the numerous Institutes, webinars, and other special events organized by both volunteer and staff leaders throughout 2024 and early 2025. Congratulations on a tremendous year to all who were involved in leading, supporting, or attending to these amazing contributions!

The past year in ACPA will be one that lives on in history as we celebrated the Association’s 100^th Anniversary. Despite the chaos and disruption facing higher education at the start of 2025, I invite you to join me in balancing the fears and anxieties with the moral optimism that we have been through tough times before and will emerge stronger. Turning 100 means we have a century of knowledge, wisdom, scholarship, and progress that supports us and propels us forward.

Questions or feedback on any of these decisions or updates may be sent to cmoody@acpa.nche.edu. A summary of the highlights from 2025 since the ACPA25 Convention will be shared at the 2026 Annual Business Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland on 1 April 2026, and I hope you will join us there as we become more anchored, grounded in our roots, true to our core values, and unwavering in our purpose.

ACPA 2026 Annual Convention
30 March – April 2 2026
Baltimore, Maryland
Be More Anchored

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