Apr 24, 2025
The latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field is not only a must-listen for higher education professionals but a rich resource for anyone seeking insight into the dynamic landscape of student affairs. Dr. Jill Creighton hosts a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Amelia Parnell, the new president and CEO of NASPA, as she reflects on her journey, the evolving challenges facing the profession, and her vision for the organization and the field.
Leadership Through Uncertainty
One of the strongest themes of the episode is leadership amidst change and uncertainty. Dr. Parnell candidly discusses stepping into her presidential role during a significant period of transition—mirroring the larger flux happening across higher education. She emphasizes the importance of staying calm, understanding the complexities of policy shifts, and making informed decisions, especially as national and state regulations impact campuses at breakneck speed.
The Power of Community
Dr. Parnell’s gratitude for the NASPA community—its staff, members, and peer associations—shines through. Her message is clear: while the challenges ahead are real and substantial, the strength of student affairs lies in its collaborative spirit and supportive networks. She notes that community isn’t just a buzzword. Whether through regional conferences, association partnerships, or simply reaching out to colleagues, being “in it together” makes turbulent times more bearable and productive.
Value and Impact of Student Affairs
A recurring point throughout the episode is the critical need to showcase the impact of student affairs, not just in crisis management or engagement, but as facilitators of student learning and success. Dr. Parnell calls for professionals to embrace data, tell their stories, and make a compelling case for the essential role they play across campuses nationwide. She encourages the field to move beyond simply surviving and towards thriving, both individually and institutionally.
Looking Ahead
Perhaps most inspiring, Dr. Parnell expresses optimism for the future. She predicts ongoing difficulty but also emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the vibrancy of the student affairs profession. Her practical advice—utilize new NASPA resources, invest in community, focus on continuous learning, and center the student experience—resonates deeply.
Tune In for Insight and Inspiration
If you’re searching for honest dialogue and encouragement amidst challenging times, this episode is essential listening. Dr. Parnell’s warmth, expertise, and hopefulness will leave you feeling empowered and connected—ready to support your campus and each other as the field forges ahead.
Listen to the full conversation and join the ongoing journey with the NASPA community. Your work and your voice matter—now more than ever.
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01]:
Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where
we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to
seasoned experts. Brought to you by NASPA, we curate free and
accessible professional development for higher ed professionals
wherever you happen to be. This is season 12, continuing our
journey through the past, present, and future of student affairs.
I'm doctor Jill Creighton, sheherhers, your essay voices from the
field host. Today on essay voices, I'm so pleased to bring you a
conversation with doctor Amelia Parnell, our first on the podcast
with her in her new role as president of NASPA. We've had doctor
Parnell on before in her prior role at NASPA as the VP for research
and policy, and I really loved getting to hear her vision for the
organization, where we're going as an association. And if you
weren't able to attend the annual conference, she also follows up
on some of her remarks and her keynote speech. So this is not one
to miss.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:53]:
We're so glad that Amelia was able to make the time to come on the
show. A little bit more about Amelia. Doctor Parnell is an
accomplished higher ed leader and executive and an internationally
recognized thought leader regarding current issues and emerging
trends in the field. She's a passionate advocate for higher
education as a tool for personal advancement and impact, and she
seeks opportunities to partner with organizations and individuals
who share her sincere commitment to centering students' needs. In
her prior role as VP for research and policy at NASPA, she led many
of the association's scholarly and advocacy focused activities and
fostered partnerships with college administrators, researchers,
grantmakers, and other higher ed professionals. As a frequent
keynote speaker at national and regional conferences, Amelia
presents on topics related to higher ed, student affairs, college
affordability, student learning outcomes, and institutions' use of
data and analytics. She's been quoted in The Wall Street Journal,
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and the PBS
NewsHour. Amelia recently completed four years of service on the
board of directors for EDUCAUSE, where she was the chair of the
finance and investment committee and the audit committee.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:55]:
She's also the past chair of the Higher Education Equity Network or
HEEN, a collective impact network representing more than 25
organizations at the forefront of addressing a racial equity in
higher ed. Amelia enjoys opportunities to teach, and she's
energized by making complex concepts easy to understand. She's had
enriching engagements with students and peers as an adjunct
instructor and lecturer, and she's the author of the book, You Are
a Data Person, which she wrote to encourage all higher education
professionals to discover and embrace their unique data identity.
Amelia holds her PhD in higher education from Florida State
University and master's and bachelor's degrees in business
administration from Florida A and M University. Amelia, welcome
back to SA Voices.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:02:35]:
Thank you very much for having me.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:36]:
And we're recording just about two weeks post annual conference. It
was lovely to see you in person and living in your element and
leading a marching band from opening to Mardi Gras World and
welcoming all of us to New Orleans. So we're thrilled to introduce
you as NASPA president and CEO for the first time. In the past,
we've had you on as VP of policy and research. So as we typically
do, we love to open our show by asking you, how did you get to your
current seat?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:03:03]:
Well, I should tell you that I got a similar question yesterday in
an interview with someone who asked if I'd always knew I wanted to
work in associations. And I said, when I was in my, of course,
undergrad program, I didn't even know about higher ed associations
or higher education as a major. And then when I was doing my
doctoral work, I knew about associations, but didn't necessarily
see myself there. So I can say it's been a journey, but every step
along the way has been part of the preparation. So first I'd say
getting to this literal seat is involved a lot of association
experience. So, you mentioned it before this role for nine years, I
was that VP of research and policy. And then before that, I worked
for a few years at another association, the Association for
Institutional Research. So, those who know me know that I enjoy
data conversations and that kind of helped with that.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:03:44]:
And then prior to that, I spent seven years in state policy in
Florida in an office that really felt a lot like the IR office or
institutional research office for the legislature. So a lot of
association industry experience, and then a lot of other things
that fill in the spaces. So served on some other association
boards, did some teaching, some writing, some research, public
speaking, advisory board service, and all that together in addition
to early, early days working on a campus. So I'd like to think that
this opportunity now was several, several years in the making.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:13]:
And just to plug some of your work, if you're a data nerd, Amelia
has a great book out on data, so you should check that one out if
you're a data and assessment person.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:04:21]:
I think we all are.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:22]:
Definitely. And I think more so now in the profession than we were,
you know, five, ten years ago. Even the data has begun to speak
differently than it has before. Mhmm. But you've been in the NASPA
presidency just under a year now. So how is it going?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:04:35]:
It's going very well. Now I can say, like many others in higher
education, has not all been easy. But I would definitely say it's
been more bearable when you're in a welcoming community, and I'm
glad to have that. So specifically, the membership has been really
welcoming. I had an opportunity to go to almost all the regional
meetings, over the past year. This one, the Western Regional, but
I'll see them at their meeting this year. The membership in general
has been very kind and welcoming. Get a lot of emails.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:04:59]:
The challenge I have is to respond to all of them in a timely way.
The board has been very supportive and enjoyed that partnership and
looking to build on that. NASPA staff are great. This feels like a
commercial, but truly, it it really has been nice. The my neighbor
association, some of those CEOs and presidents have immediately
reached out. So I feel a sense of community that I was already
there, but just feels different in this new role. So it's going
really, really well.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:19]:
I know you're gonna love Western Regional. It's one of my favorite
conferences as a former region fiver. So I'll give a shout out to
Josie Alquist and Kim Halapa who are the chairs of NASPA Western
Regional this year. You're gonna have a great time.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:05:30]:
Okay. Okay.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:31]:
But as we look at kind of you incoming to the presidency, I kind of
think of doctor Lauria White's journey as well. She started her
presidency, like, five seconds before COVID hit the world. You
started your presidency right amidst a major presidential
transition and policy transition. And coming from your policy
background, I'm sure that has been maybe some unexpected turns, in
your first year. So can you talk about kind of your philosophy
behind navigating all
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:05:57]:
of it? Oh, absolutely. I don't wanna downplay it and say, oh, I was
ready for this. No big deal. That type of thing. But I can say some
of my earlier experiences in my career have certainly helped me for
this moment. And the first I'll say is that it's never a single
person's responsibility. Although being in a role like president,
you are asked to make a lot of decisions and that might be a
partnership with the border. It might be this is in your scope of
influence.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:06:18]:
What are we gonna do? That type of, I'd say, heightened
responsibility, I'm not necessarily new to it. I've been able to be
a part of, like I said, the NASPA executive team for a while. It's
a different role, but it did give me some direct exposure to kind
of how NASPA should be able to move and navigate in these
environments. In terms of the specific policy angle, that's where
my state policy experience in Florida. And if anybody watches the
news, Florida has been in the news for a while. And so I worked in
Florida policy at a time when, just like now, Florida was in the
news, and there were a lot of moving discussions that put me right
in the middle of making decisions in a difficult time. So nothing
prepares you for the moment that you're in because you've never
seen it before. But the environment, one that you could probably
say is a little bit uncertain, unexpected, a little bit
challenging, I've gotten able to be uncomfortable in those
situations.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:07:02]:
So what I would say I've learned is to not panic. It's hard to do,
but it's definitely relevant. Try not to panic. We make better
decisions when you have a chance to sit and think. Maybe not in
abundance of time to sit and think, but, number one thing for me
I'd say is make sure you understand everything possible that you
can, that you can absolutely absorb and try not to panic because
you can make better decisions when you have a clear head.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:22]:
I think that not panic moment is really important in higher ed
right now. I've been in the public policy division space for NASPA
for, I think, like three terms now. And I was having a conversation
with Gaut Sheehan, who's the outgoing policy chair for us. And he
and I gave a presentation, like, a couple of years ago called
something like why public policy should matter to higher ed
pros.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:07:44]:
Talk about foreshadowing.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:45]:
And I just remember us being like, how do we get people to
understand this is important to their work and how much that has
shifted over the last couple of years where we're now in a space
where policy is moving at us at what can really only be described
as a breakneck pace. And so I'm not asking any of us in the field
to agree, disagree, or be undecided about what these policy changes
are and mean. What I'm really asking us to do is to take a look at
how it's affecting our campuses and our students because regardless
of how we personally feel about it, it's happening, and it's
happening in ways that affect our campuses. So aside from remaining
calm, kind of that keep calm and carry on, what advice do you have
for campuses who are trying to keep up right now?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:08:24]:
Yeah. Absolutely. And and before I answer that, let me add on to
your point about your session with Scott. I've said this many
times, kind of in jest, that I feel prepared for this moment
because the the nine years I spent leading the research and policy
area, those were two areas that when you say, hey, you know, would
you like to sit down and talk about some data? Those people will be
like, I don't know. That's my favorite topic. Maybe we'll get back
to you and and talk another time. And if it's policy, oh, well, you
know, I've got a colleague who does our policy stuff. And so this
idea that these two big buckets and they're they're really kind of
linked research and policy together were areas that we needed to be
paying attention to closely anyway.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:08:55]:
And this feels like the right time to elevate that. So I appreciate
your question. And I would say, I see the thing, keep calm. I don't
want to say carry on because I feel like that could be dismissive
of what it means to be working in the field. But the calm nature
means as you are still going through these difficult times, try not
to be too overly overwhelmed. I'd say about what's going on. In
terms of specifically what we can do, I think I can think of three
things. The one I'd say to anybody, this is a great time to learn
as much as possible.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:09:19]:
And I know that the news outlets give us news and they give us
updates, but there are certainly other opportunities for us to
really understand how does a bill become a law? How does the law
become a rule? How does the rule turn into policy? What's the
difference between the executive order and, act of Congress, things
like that. This is the time where if you you're not quite sure, ask
somebody, see if you can read up on it. I know we talk about
Schoolhouse Rock and the basics. It's okay to go back to the basics
because I think in this time now it helps us have deeper
conversations about what our options are. Got to understand what's
going on. That ultimately will lead to the space of influence,
which will be your campus policies or campus decisions. And so it
all fits together. I think that's number one.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:09:55]:
Learn as much as you can. In terms of supporting students, I think
it means consistency. You know, for as much as things are changing
all around us and we as professionals see this, students are still
coming. They're still coming to class. They're still going home,
still making plans, and they're looking to us to still provide some
consistency in how we're going to help them navigate their college
experience. I know it's hard, but they, I think, could give us a
signal of where we could go to support them. And then I'd say the
last, I just got to double back down on the idea of informed
decision making. We haven't gotten to that question yet, but I feel
like to some extent that that pairs well with not panicking,
because if we have an abundance of information about what's been
working, where our places of improvement should be, this is a good
time.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:10:33]:
And we're being kind of pushed into those conversations, by not
rushing. Maybe moving at a faster pace, but not rushing to every
quick decision that gives us a chance to take a fresh look at some
information and data that we might already have in partnership
across the campus. So that's gonna bring us closer together.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:10:47]:
I will plug that Schoolhouse Rock piece on YouTube because it does
hold up. It's the policy process is exactly the same. And one that
I also like to include is the more r rated version by Saturday
Night Live, which is about executive orders. So go watch that one.
It's definitely not child or office friendly, but in your spare
time, go check out that one because it's also pretty much accurate.
But we are also in a space where all of the federal personnel that
campuses may be used to talking to for investigations or there's
currently, you know, we know the list of 60 and things like that
going on. How might you advise campus professionals who are trying
to do their best to comply with federal regulations knowing that
their staff or relationships have all changed, how do you recommend
people begin to re navigate this new landscape?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:11:31]:
So that's a specific question I could imagine that impacts those
who are used to having an ongoing connection to the department, and
that would include me. Before this current administration, the
previous administration, we would get invited to have a closed
conversation here or convening there or some type of email exchange
that would say, this is what we're considering. Can you tell us
maybe a perspective of student affairs professionals? And to not
have that has been a little, little tough because number one, it
gives you access into conversations that might be emerging into
something later. But also it kind of gives us a chance to prepare
in advance. And so to not have that, it does feel acutely more
difficult than previous situations. This is a place where I would
say associations can actually support with the membership though.
So even though I may not have that direct line to as many
department professionals as I previously did, a lot of associations
do have connections to the Hill. And so NASPA doesn't do direct
lobbying, but we do a lot of advocacy work, which connects us to
other associations who have that type of capacity.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:12:22]:
So I think that's a place where associations can help members
understand a little bit of what's going on. Now, naturally, we
can't share everything that we've heard, especially if some of it
is speculative, but it does help us be a little bit ahead and
prepared. So some of the things that we're seeing right now, those
conversations, I think we, we got a little bit of a heads up of
what might happen. And of course we all are speculating to some
degree, but we had a little bit of a head start, maybe a few weeks
ahead or maybe a couple of months in other cases. So I think in
terms of those individuals who might be doing work where they
normally would have to engage, maybe you're doing iPads reporting,
or maybe you're doing something that directly connects to one of
the departments. I think that's a place where associations can help
a little bit. Now we don't have a Rolodex to offer and new people
to connect to, but I do think those specific questions, they would
be looking to associations to help them unpack a little of those
unanswered questions.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:13:06]:
And you kind of mentioned it already, but NASPA has enjoyed really
positive relationships with other higher ed associations that are
DC based for a good long while now. We even, I believe, shared an
office with a couple of them for a while. So knowing all of that
and knowing that you all are very connected, it's, I think,
important for our members to know that we're not alone, that
student affairs professionals aren't there floating out in this
world of change without the scaffolding of other professional
associations around us. So can you talk a little bit about how
NASPA's working with those other associations or how they're
weathering the storm with us as we work through this process?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:13:37]:
Sure. There are some natural groupings of associations. So for
those listening, I'm not sure if everybody knows, but there are
probably at least 50 different associations that touch or connect
to higher education in some way. And some of them are larger
comprehensive associations like NASPA that covers a suite of
departments and units like we have. And then there are some that
are specifically focused on one area. So you might have both NASPA,
but then you also have ACUOI, which is specifically focused on
housing or my previous association AIR. So those associations, we
get together from time to time to share what's going on. Now,
again, we don't open up our professional diaries and share
everything that's going on, but we do talk about the impact of some
of these changes that are completely impacting higher education and
how it's impacting us specifically within our membership in our
particular area of influence.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:14:20]:
So that leaves a lot of space for us to compare notes and say, have
you considered this or you had considered that? We all have
different levels of capacity, even down to the amount of policy and
advocacy staff we have. So those who might have a little bit more,
they might take up a little bit more of the, the time to give
updates. Those of us who have a little bit less, we might spend
more time listening, but we can still offer context. So I would say
there's a great imperative across the associations from my POMO
perspective that we share with each other. Not that we didn't
previously, but in a time like this, there's not that type of
competition that you might think, well, who can get out first? Who
can be the best at this? I think there's an ongoing commitment to
say we literally all are experiencing something similar. We're
better together by, by having these conversations in a way that
helps us see where the opportunities for partnership are at a very
limited level conversations. And so it's been nice for as much as a
difficult time can be nice. It's been nice to be able to go to
those meetings and not have to be concerned about someone trying to
have ulterior motives.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:15:13]:
I haven't experienced any of that, and I don't think it'll be that
way for the foreseeable future.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:15:17]:
I always get a bit of a nerdy kick out of the fact that there's,
like, associations for associations.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:15:21]:
Yes. There's an association for associations if there's a big one,
ASAE.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:15:25]:
But given all of that, I also know that NASPA has come out with
some new resources for members to help us look at all of these
things, specifically the policy hub. Can you tell us a little bit
about the policy hub and any other resources that NASPA is
currently putting out for members?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:15:38]:
Yeah. So I have to give credit to the NASPA policy and advocacy
colleagues that we have, both the policy division, the policy and
advocacy colleagues on the staff, and others who have been really
influential in creating this, the executive team. I should stop
naming names because I'm gonna leave somebody out. The idea behind
the public policy hub was that we would have a space where
individuals who are saying, hey, I see executive words are
happening, or this dear, dear colleague letter. I'm trying to keep
up with everything. So rather than number one, have to try to
bookmark a certain email here or flag a certain news article there,
they would have a centralized place to catch up on all the news
that would be relevant to higher ed with that student affairs lens.
So it's a central location for that. Beyond that, there are places
where we can actually do a little bit of a summary.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:16:16]:
So if a document is exceptionally long, they may be able to read,
not the cliff notes, but give me the summary of what this might
mean for student affairs. Now we don't have legal guidance in
there. So if someone's listening to this and they're like, oh, I
know exactly what to do because the resource hub is going to tell
me, that's not it. We would still suggest that because each campus
is different, that you talk with your legal counsel and other
policy experts, but it does provide a level of translation and
curation that I think feels a little bit easier to absorb than what
you might see a flurry of emails and newsletters and things like
that. So we try to do our best to highlight everything that's
happening within real time. And so if something happens at 2PM on
Tuesday, then maybe don't check it at 3PM, but very soon after we
would have something there, a bit of a summary and something that
says considerations. I'd also want to highlight that the public
policy division, to a point you just, you just named, they're
watching these things very closely. The, the leadership team meets
monthly.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:17:03]:
They had several sessions during the annual conference. And I know
they're probably thinking of some virtual things they can do
throughout the rest of the year. In addition to that, probably our
regional meetings will have more of that stuff too. So long story
short, the policy hub, we're still building into it. Every time
something happens that we think would be relevant, it's organized
by topic area and by timing of when things occurred. So there's a
there's a lot in there. A lot of good stuff in there.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:17:24]:
We've talked a lot about policy, but policy is not all that NASA
is. It is a member experience. It's learning. It's resources. It's
publications. It's access to other members, its conference
gatherings, all of the things that create community in the student
affairs profession, in my opinion. So I'm wondering if you can talk
about NASPA at large, bigger NASPA. What is your vision for the
typical member experience and where you hope to drive the
association in kind of the foreseeable future?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:17:51]:
As a membership association, I think the main thing for me will
always be the main thing, which is that with, in this case, 14,000
individuals, I want everyone to feel like what they get from NASPA
is worth their investment. Now, also understanding that everybody
could want something different. That's sometimes challenging, but
I'd say at the core, some come to NASPA for the community. Then
it's not that these are mutually exclusive, but it does help to be
in community with someone who understands your job, does a similar
role. I mean, you have shared experiences together. Others will
come because they really want to know what's going on, what they
can expect in the future. So current and emerging topics, and
coupled with that would be a place to learn, learn with each other,
learn from each other, a place for scholarship, for research, and
all those things. And there may be a long list of other things that
people would expect from NASPA.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:18:34]:
But regardless of what that mix of expectations is, I think there
are three things that I hope everybody will experience to some
degree. I hope that they would see NASPA as timely, like a timely
organization that regardless of what's happening in higher
education or student affairs, they feel like we're on the cusp of
what's current, that we can be a place for them to come and be
informed. I really want it to be tailored. Something about the
comments that I made during the opening session that people keep
telling me about is when I made the connection to Netflix. The idea
that Netflix really understands what types of films I want to see,
short stories I want to see, and they always put those right in
front of me. So, that's an opportunity for us to use our data to
make that experience for each individual as tailored as possible.
So, that though we have a lot to offer, we figured out exactly
which things matter most to which people. And then lastly, because
I'm just a nice person.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:19:20]:
I want us to be thoughtful. I want us to have everything from our
messaging to our experiences and our conferences, to all of our
interactions to be developed in a way that's thoughtful. Now,
again, that's subjective, what's thoughtful to one, someone might
say it's no big deal, but I want the intentionality of this
relationship between NASPA and its members to be as clear as
possible. That I want it to feel like a very thoughtful and
tailored and timely organization.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:19:42]:
What's most important to NASPO right now?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:19:44]:
It's the same thing I would probably say to anybody. We gotta be
close to the membership. And I don't like to compare crises, but I
would say during the pandemic, we made a a conscious decision to
say we wanted to lower the the cost of the annual conference, for
example, just to make it so that more people could actually stay
involved. And it's not that I'm looking for this exclusively as a
business. I'm looking at it really to say, we have a hard time
having community with no people. And so what's important to me is
that we have individuals feel like they can still be connected to
us and have access to what we're doing. We're going to make it
through this. I really do think that this is a difficult time, but
it's not impossible, but we need a community that's together,
that's able to connect and share with each other what we know, and
that will get us through this difficult time.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:20:21]:
But what's most important is that we have the community. So I wanna
be able to deliver some decisions that will help us get to that
point now and for the foreseeable future.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:20:29]:
I think this is a really important message that, you know, NASPA's
focus is not whiplashing with the things that are changing, but a
continual focus that ultimately, it's a member organization, and
we're here to support each other and to serve the needs of the
profession. And keeping that mission at the core, I think, is
really gonna be seen by the members as we move forward.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:20:49]:
I hope so.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:20:50]:
At the conference, you made four predictions, and you asked four
questions of higher ed. And I think these are really important to
share, especially for those who were not able to attend the
conference or for those who only got to see it live or wanted more
time to reflect that. We can go there a little bit. So I'm gonna
start with the predictions. The first thing you predicted was that
things are gonna be hard for several years, but we're going to
survive. Can you talk more about that?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:21:12]:
Yes. I would say we I could think of higher ed in the the long
term. So I almost wanna make the connection between that and the
stock market. And those who are finance nerds. If I weren't
studying higher ed, I'd be looking more at financial markets and
things like that. But oftentimes when people talk about investing,
they say, maybe don't look at one to two years. You know, what's
happened this year compared to last year. If you look at the market
over time, it always rebounds now.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:21:34]:
So realize that this is coming out at a time when the markets right
now are tumbling. So I'm hoping that this analogy still holds. But
the idea is that if you took a one hundred year period, you would
see very few fluctuations. If you were to look at the diagram, The
idea is that it's mostly consistent and it will probably rebound.
Even during periods of recession or depression, the market will
rebound. I don't want to make a one to one parallel, but I will say
higher ed does need to change. And we all realized that that was
not new, but I don't see a situation in which all of higher
education will ultimately crumble. We will survive.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:22:03]:
And in the keynote, I said, there are some places where I think we
will actually continue to thrive. We're not doing all this work for
nothing and not everything is going bad. I realized that the news
cycles would have you believe that everything is going in the
downward direction, but there are still students who are having a
very good college experience. There are still campuses that are
having vibrant experiences within student affairs, amid all of
these challenges. So when I say survive, I mean, we're still going
to be here, but it's not going to be all bad. I think there'll be
some very, very hard challenges that will point out to us places
where we were a little bit more vulnerable and we'll approve on
those things. And ultimately we will thrive because we will be
better at rebounding. And I say reacting and then being proactive
for some things that are coming.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:22:42]:
So, long winded way of saying, I think that things will be hard
because they're already hard, but I don't think that we will be in
a place where higher it will ultimately crumble. We will
survive.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:22:50]:
Your second prediction dovetails here, which is that NASPA will
thrive.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:22:53]:
I think I said alliteration. If I had the the timely thorough
alliteration there, I want to use another one with the letter V and
just say, I've said this in a couple of interviews that I think
NASPA will continue to be a valuable, vibrant, and versatile
organization. I use those three things intentionally. So I always
say valuable and that if someone comes to NASBA, I want them to
feel like they got what they expected to some degree. Now, again,
trying to do that for $14,000 that's a little hard, but there
should be some value. There should be some value there. It's the
same way I want to emphasize the need for us to show the value of
student affairs in the larger conversation. Vibrant because we're a
wonderful community.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:23:26]:
We bring all kinds of differences, backgrounds of perspectives of
cultures, you know, just all kinds of things that make a really
wonderful mix of experiences, which is why I think we had such a
great time in New Orleans. And then versatile because we're big
enough. And I feel fortunate to say this, that we can pivot if we
need to. And I almost hesitate to say that word pivot because we
use it so much during the pandemic. But versatility in the sense
that with the membership that goes across so many functions within
student affairs and so many levels of involvement from senior
leaders all the way to those who are studying at the graduate
level. Of course, we're going to be versatile, so we can do a lot
of things simultaneously. And I think that's, that's one of the
things that makes the Aspen special.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:24:02]:
Your third prediction is that student affairs will become more
collaborative, which I think is an interesting one, because I feel
like as a field, we're already pretty collaborative and sharing
practice. What does this mean in practice?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:24:13]:
Yeah, I think about it in terms of the student affairs function on
a campus, and I'll give some shout outs here. Not that I have any
favorites, but the things that come to mind. So there are a lot of
other areas of a campus that are doing what they would describe as
student success work. They may not say student affairs, but student
success work. In the Kubo, for example, they just released recently
a student success hub. And so I think that was some intentionality
to say that there is a connection between business decisions and
and ultimately trying to help students succeed in college. And so I
could see the collaborations between student affairs and the
finance office being one, student affairs and IR, student affairs
and technology. As you can see within a campus, I think we're going
to have even more collaborations than what we currently have.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:24:50]:
Nationally, I'd say at a broad level, there are lots more
collaborations across associations. And whether those be funded by
philanthropy or just started up because of shared goodwill and
interest, I really do think, pointing back to that earlier question
about the association community, we're gonna see a lot more
collaboration, and I'm excited about it. I'm happy for the number
of student affairs associations that came to the NASPA conference
too, off the invitation. I I really feel grateful that they came
and spent the time with us. And your
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:25:14]:
fourth prediction was that we were going to have a fantastic twenty
twenty five annual conference. So I wanna give a huge shout out and
congratulations to doctor Akira Bradley Armstrong, who was the
annual conference chair. It was a fantastic conference. I believe
we had about 6,200 attendees.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:25:28]:
6,600.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:25:29]:
60 six hundred. That's nearly 50% of national members. Is it
usually that high? It felt really vibrant this year to me more so
than maybe past years.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:25:39]:
I think it's the largest one since the pandemic happened. So we've
had a couple that were larger than that, like, over 7,000, but this
was the largest one we've had since coming back from the pandemic.
And now since I gotta say some thank yous, I definitely Akira and
the whole conference leadership committee, they did a great job. We
had thousands of volunteers who did everything from help direct
traffic to work at the membership area, the registration area. We
have a lot of volunteer help, which was great. The board was really
fantastic. The staff was great. Of course, a lot of staff of the
hotels and the convention center.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:26:06]:
So it takes a lot of work. That project, I would say the conference
itself starts at least maybe eighteen months to two years in
advance. All the details, the local arrangements committee. I mean,
just a lot of people put a lot of work into this. So, I had a good
feeling it was going to be good, but I think when I said it, I
should have put fantastic and bold. It was a really, really, it's a
really good experience. And it was kind of like a metaphor because
anybody who was there in person on Saturday might recall we had
some really, really just turbulent weather. It was really, really
windy.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:26:34]:
And unfortunately there were some tornadoes nearby that touched
down. And so, to go from that really windy stormy day to Sunday at
the opening in the evening, and the sun was shining, and it wasn't
too hot, it wasn't too cold, and we got to go to Mardi Gras world.
It was truly like the sunshine after the storm, which nobody would
have planned it that way, But to go into that idea that I had, that
higher ed will actually be fine on the long term, it's going to
look different. Truly, I think it will feel different. It'll be
different, but the sun's going to come back out. That sounds so
cheesy. I know. I know.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:27:04]:
It sounds so cheesy. I know. I know. Just go with me.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:27:06]:
Our co producer on the podcast, Chris, he actually got diverted to
Mobile, Alabama and spent, like, several hours on the ground in
Alabama trying to get note to Nola. I was several hours delayed out
of my connection as well. And so some of my amazing colleagues
actually had to present part of the pre con on my behalf. So we all
got there, though.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:27:23]:
It was rough.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:27:24]:
You also asked four questions of the profession and of higher ed.
The first being, what does the increased state in federal
involvement in higher ed mean for student affairs staff? And you
talked about specifically more difficult conversations and an
ongoing urgency to explain implicitly the value of student affairs,
which I think a lot of us felt like we were finally seen in COVID
in terms of what we were contributing to the higher education
experience. Presidents were leaning on student affairs more than
many other parts of their university administrations to help the
institutions thrive. But have we backslid? Are we going in a
different place now?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:28:00]:
I don't think we backslid. I think the current state of us using
data to show the value and impact is where it previously was. And
I'll, I'll use your example as maybe my starting point for my
response. So I think for a while, and this is back to maybe even
two or three years into my role as VP for Research and Policy, when
I started to spend more time outside of just student affairs and
talking with some provost and presidents and things of that sort.
So I oftentimes hear a description of student affairs that fits
into one of three buckets. Number one, the obvious one that you
just named, that student affairs professionals are great in a
crisis. And I'm happy that we are. So the crisis in that case being
COVID, that we are trained professionals to be able to handle the
unexpected events that could be unfortunate in nature.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:28:41]:
That's really good. But if we're not careful, we would end up being
put in that box and we stay there, which is that we need student
affairs. The value of student affairs is that we need someone to
handle a crisis. And that's not where I want us to be. On the
completely opposite end of the continuum, you have someone who
would say, I'm so glad we have student affairs. They are the best
at engagement activities. We have orientation, we have clubs and
activities, all kinds of things that make students feel welcome and
belong. And we absolutely need that.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:29:03]:
And I'm happy that that's part the portfolio. But if we're not
careful, you'll see articles that come out and describe student
affairs as balloons in the lawn and pizza parties and things of
that sort. And we need those things too. Those are elements of
helping students feel welcome and comfortable, but we're more than
that. And we're more than crisis. The middle piece, the third
narrative that I want to see pushed more, and it started a little
bit during the student success wave when there was a student
success agenda for everybody, whether it be conferences or roles
and things like that, is that we are facilitators of learning. That
those very same things that employers say that they want and
graduate schools say they want, critical thinkers and those who can
communicate well and solve complex problems, we are facilitators of
those things. And so when I said we need more data to show the
value and impact, it's impact across all three.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:29:45]:
We're doing fine on the crisis management. Even without extra data,
people know that we're getting a crisis, and they know that we are
very good in engagement. But we need an extra effort, additional
effort to show the real impact that we have for every student who
engages with advising of any type. The likelihood of them
persisting in major is this, the likely of them, likely of them
moving toward graduation and completing a credential. It's this.
That's the missing piece that I think. So I don't think we've gone
backward. The two very clear narratives are just as clear as they
were years ago, but I want to push a little bit more to see that
that value and impact conversation expands beyond what I would say
are the two prevailing narratives at the time.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:30:20]:
The second question you asked is NASPA changing its strategy for
supporting the profession. And your response on stage was that it's
changing some of the strategies for supporting the profession, but
we still have a major focus on learning and data, inform portfolios
and resources. Anything you wanna elaborate on here?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:30:38]:
Yeah. So the the new and the different. The different pieces that I
really want us to be more data informed. And so on stage, I made
the example of Netflix that basically, if we do the best we can
with this abundance of data that we have, I should know that doctor
Jill likes to read articles that are on this. And so when we write
you, I feel like at least a section of that update email should
say, check out the latest that we have on the areas that interest
you. So that part should be new. We're not behind in that regard,
but we have definitely a lot more opportunity that we haven't
leveraged yet. The more things change, the more they stay the same,
we're still a membership association, and we have a commitment to
learning and community and access and all the things that I just
mentioned earlier about why I feel like NASPA's commitment should
stay the same.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:31:15]:
Feel like there's an opening for AI to do some work for us
here.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:31:19]:
Could be.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:31:20]:
Your third question, which I think is an important one, and one
we've been talking about on the podcast for a long time now is is
everyone leaving student affairs. And this question, the way we've
talked about it on the podcast is really directed towards salaries
and hours and things like that because of the level of intensity of
the work, the credentials required for entry level positions, the
constant tension with HR data about what the value of a position is
and things like that. You gave some statistics, which is that
eighty eight percent of people surveyed state that they would leave
due to the salaries not being commensurate with their experience or
their expectations of the position. And that sixty eight percent
said that they have they have job duties that are not in their PD.
That other duties as assigned box is something we all say a bit
pejoratively, but it's a very real pain. And that sixty one percent
plan to stay more than five years. So there's some things in the
statistics that aren't wholly aligned, but I think the story hasn't
changed a ton.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:32:20]:
So with one caveat on the former pieces of data. So the eighty
eight percent, we didn't ask them about what would make them want
to leave. We asked them what they think others would leave for. So
basically what we're asking, we said, hey, if someone were to leave
the field in the next five years, why do you think they would
leave? And then the 88% said, hey, this is probably going to be
paid. To add to the ones you just named, another 84% said they
think others will leave because of the stress of the work. Like
it's just really hard work. The other 81% said they think others
will leave because they feel undervalued and then you get to sixty
eight percent. So the data are clear.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:32:49]:
If I had to guess, it would be no different. Even if I asked
someone, hey, John, why do you think someone else would leave at
this 88% that said pay? Pretty good chance that John themselves
would say, I too would have considered leaving for one of those
four reasons. So for each individual, it may not be that their
number one is pay, but I think those are still the top four,
regardless of whether you're talking about yourself or someone
else, which is why we followed up with that question of, well, what
are you planning on doing? And 61% saying, okay, I think in the
next five years, I'll probably stay. That's not exceptionally good
news. It's not bad news, it's right in the middle, which is to say,
there's the opportunity. And I'm thinking all the time about what
would it take to get that 61% to trend upward instead of downward?
Because even though they said, I think I'm planning on staying,
amid all the things that you've just named, those are all reasons,
you know, some of them beyond assets control. Like we can't control
what campuses would offer in terms of salary, but we can offer some
strategies for how to approach staff retention and not just keeping
them there, but helping it be a thriving and valuable and vibrant
profession that could move that 61% up instead of down. So you're
right.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:33:48]:
I think the biggest issue in student affairs has to be how we're
going to retain individuals and pathways into the profession, not
just to get into it for a few years and to say, I think I'm going
to go someplace else, but to say there's enough space there for
growth professionally. And hopefully, we'll see more people respond
differently if we were to ask that question again. I'm kind of
nervous to ask it right now, given everything that's happening in
the backdrop of higher education.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:34:10]:
That's fair, but it also leads very nicely into the fourth question
you asked, which is, if things remain difficult for a while, how do
we find and keep our joy in the profession? And I'm gonna quote you
because I actually giggled. You said, we've got about 65, 60 six
hundred attendees here in New Orleans. And quote, this might sound
like a ploy for NASBA, but you chose to come here.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:34:31]:
Yes. Yes. And I wanna celebrate that. I had to say it that way
because ultimately, and you made a great point, that we had almost
half the membership that came. And though each individual's
experience is different, each campus' experiences are different,
one of the best places you can be in a difficult time is in
community. And so, there were so many people, and I realize I'm
about to be that single person example, but there were a lot of
people that I saw walking around the conference that actually gave
hugs or high fives and they were smiling. And it doesn't mean that
everything was perfect. It doesn't mean that they didn't come from
some tumultuous situations, job losses and everything else.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:35:02]:
But in this moment, when you're trying to find joy, like where can
I find my small piece of happy in a difficult time? Something about
being in community does help you manage that. So back to your first
question, when you said, how's it been going so far? I had to
quickly say it has not been easy, but it is much more bearable when
you have a community of people that you know are welcoming and can
say, Hey, I get it. I understand what you're going through. And
that to me helps find and keep a little bit of joy in these hard
times while we're waiting for this period of difficulty to pass
through. And it will. The storm will pass through. We will have
more coming, but this particular one, I'd rather be under the
umbrella than somebody else talking about it.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:35:37]:
Anything else you want to share with the membership right now?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:35:39]:
Gratitude, honestly, just gratitude. Everybody who's asked like,
how's it going, though? How's it really going? How are you doing?
How are you really doing? That's an extra question because I think
we all get it. But this truly, in my remarks, I said this is just
one of the best places I've ever worked, one of the best
professions I've ever been a part of, and I'm grateful. I know that
there's still a lot more hard work to do, and there are gonna be
times when we're gonna be even more disappointed with the direction
of things. I don't think that I'd be wise to tell anybody, hey,
don't worry about it. Give it a couple of months. We'll be back
stronger than ever. It's going to be hard for a while, which is why
I said a few years, but I'm just truly grateful, grateful for all
the volunteers and members.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:36:14]:
And and even you for inviting me to the podcast, knowing my
schedule wouldn't let me do it on on time in New Orleans. I'm just
really grateful.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:36:20]:
We're just glad to have you, Amelia. And now we are on to our theme
questions for the season, which is the past, present, and future of
student affairs. So I've got one question for you on each part of
this theme. So on the past, what's one component of the history of
the student affairs profession that you think we should continue to
carry forward or alternatively let go of?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:36:39]:
I have two. I wanna have two. I think the history of student
affairs, which might map nicely to NASPA, is this opportunity for
trying something new. We have a number of new things that I'd say
if we never tried them, we wouldn't have something to build on. So
everything from our institutes, specifically identity based
programming, all kinds of things that we've said, Hey, I see a need
here. We haven't previously done this. Let's try it. So I liked
this idea of innovation.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:37:02]:
At one point, I think we still do have that as one of our four
guiding principles. So I like the idea that as things change, we
can change with it. Student affairs can change too, inappropriate
ways as necessary. I also liked that in the early history of
student affairs, there's a lot of discussion about it coming out of
a place of counseling or caring for others, something about
community and that we're just, again, feeling particularly grateful
right now. I think if there's a history of NASPA that's rooted in
the idea that we should be caring about each other and for each
other, I think I'd like to carry that forward too. In terms of
letting things go, I would love to let go a little bit of this idea
that you work until you're exhausted. You know, it's part of the
change has to be a changing model for how we do student affairs
work. So I do want us to start to let go of this idea that in order
to do the work well, you have to work beyond what you're capable
of.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:37:45]:
It's really hard to care for someone else when you're not caring
for yourself. So that's what I would say. I guess that's three
things, That's three things.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:37:50]:
On the present, what's happening in the field right now that's
going well for student affairs?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:37:55]:
Advising and anything related to us supporting students and making
their hardest decisions. And that's not me positioning advising as
the best part of student affairs, because I think honestly, a lot
of people in student affairs have advising roles, even if they
don't have that title. So within the whole, I guess, continuum of
student affairs work, students are still seeing us, talking to us,
engaging with us. And I think right now, even in this backdrop of
difficult policy developments, we're still giving council advice,
support to students. I think we're still doing a good job at that.
I really had this hunch that the best part of student affairs is
that we are connected to students and they're going to give us real
time indications of how things are going. So yeah, anything related
to that. The second I'd probably say, even though you told me to
give you one, we're still facilitating learning.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:38:37]:
So yes, of course we're doing crisis management and we're doing
engagement, but I think we are still facilitating lots of learning
opportunities for students. And we're we're getting to a place
where we're better at documenting that. Maybe that's another
podcast episode for another time.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:38:49]:
And finally, looking towards the future, in an ideal world, what
does the field need to do to thrive towards the future?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:38:55]:
Gotta be data informed. Gotta be able to do more than just say
we're making an impact. We've got to be able to show with data and
information what that impact is and how we can sustain it. I feel
like the future is gonna require that of us. And I think we're
moving in the right direction, but I feel like the field as a
whole, we have the evidence because we've been doing the work, but
we gotta be able to provide that and curate it to different
audiences so that we could not just sustain ourselves and make a
good case, but literally keep the good work going in a more
intentional way.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:39:20]:
It's time to take a quick break and toss it over to producer Chris
to learn what's going on in the NASPA world.
Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:39:26]:
Thanks, Jill. So excited to be back in the NASPA world, and there's
a ton of things happening in NASPA. There is a new short course
that's being offered through NASPA called Designing Campuses for
Mental Health and Well-being. The course runs from May 5 to June 9.
And in this essential short course, it explores the crucial
intersection of campus design and mental health in higher
education. As we navigate an academic landscape marked by
increasing mental health challenges, it's clear that depression and
other mental health concerns compounded by academic stress lead to
negative outcomes, including higher dropout rates. This course
highlights the the vital role of administrators in student affairs
in fostering a culture of wellness and understanding on their
college or university campuses. Through comprehensive insights from
experts, the course will explore various mental health models,
assess campus specific needs, and develop actionable sustainable
strategies to enhance campus wide mental health.
Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:40:28]:
Through this short course, you will join a transformative journey
to better support your students and colleagues and create a
thriving supportive academic environment. Another short course not
to miss is happening between June 16 and July 21 called building a
shared commitment to well-being. This short course is designed by
members of the NASPA health safety and well-being initiatives team.
In this short course, you will be guided by student affairs
professionals through a comprehensive understanding of holistic
well-being, focusing on fostering a shared commitment to well-being
in educational environments, particularly through the integration
Through this course, you will have the opportunity to cultivate,
Through this course, you will have the opportunity to cultivate an
inclusive culture that prioritizes the health and well-being of the
entire campus community. You can find out more about either of
these courses on the NASPA learning portal going to
learning.NASPA.org. Also, today, I'm gonna give you a save the date
for the NASPA symposium on military connected students. The next
symposium on military connected students will be held in Norfolk,
Virginia from February 17 through the twentieth, twenty twenty
sixth. The twenty twenty six NASPA Symposium on Military Connected
Students is the association's premier event designed for student
affairs for student for student affairs practitioners supporting
military connected students.
Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:42:06]:
The Symposium is your exclusive opportunity to share evidence based
practices from your campus or organization. Through this Symposium,
you can learn from leading researchers in the field and engage with
other professionals committed to supporting military connected
students. This three day symposium features keynote sessions,
research, policy, and best practice best practices presentations
and workshop style sessions to help campus professionals develop or
enhance their programming and services for military connected
students. You still have some time as the early registration
deadline ends on 10/27/2025, but sign up today to get ready for
this amazing learning opportunity. Every week, we're going to be
sharing some amazing things that are happening within the
association. So we are going to be able to try and keep you up to
date on everything that's happening and allow for you to be able to
get involved in different ways because the association is as strong
as its members. And for all of us, we have to find our place within
the association, whether it be getting involved with a knowledge
community, giving back within one of the the centers or the
divisions of the association. And as you're doing that, it's
important to be able to identify for yourself.
Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:43:25]:
Where do you fit? Where do you wanna give back? Each week, we're
hoping that we will share some things that might encourage you,
might allow for you to be able to get some ideas that will provide
you with an opportunity to be able to say, hey, I see myself in
that knowledge community. I see myself doing something like that.
Or encourage you in other ways that allow for you to be able to
think beyond what's available right now to offer other things to
the association, to bring your gifts, your talents to the
association and to all of the members within the association.
Because through doing that, all of us are stronger and the
association is better. Tune in again next week as we find out more
about what is happening in NASPA.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:44:14]:
Chris, thank you so much as always for keeping us informed on
what's going on in and around NASPA. And, Amelia, we have reached
our lightning round questions. And as a second time guest, we have
slightly different set of questions for you. So I'm gonna change up
the first one a little bit because you literally were just a
conference keynote speaker, and you walked up to Before I Let Go
Thank You by Starchild. You also said when you entered that you
changed the song, like, four times. So can you tell us what the
other songs were?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:44:40]:
Yeah. So, well, the the song this version that I came out to, it
was Before I Let Go. It was Frankie Beverly and Maze, but then on
top of that, it was Beyonce's cover of it. So the ones that didn't
make the cut, I'll give you two of them. And both of them were good
for, for different reasons. Stevie Wonder is my favorite artist.
And so it was gonna be Sir Duke that I came out to, but I saved
that one for another time. I just really liked Stevie.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:44:58]:
And plus I actually used that one at a conference in November. So I
want to do something fresh. The other one is I love Whitney
Houston, and I wanted to go with, I want to dance with somebody,
but I was like, maybe that's going to take too long to get to the
chorus. The intro people know, but I was like, nah, it just
wouldn't work. And plus the one I picked had a little bit of a live
band thing, which seemed to work with the New Orleans vibe. So, I
landed there.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:45:17]:
Number two, your undergraduate degree, and do you use it in your
work now?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:45:20]:
All the time. Maybe not the specific class related principles
because it's been a couple decades since I was an undergrad, but,
yeah, I was a business administration major. So being a president
right now, I spend more time looking at business analytics than I
ever have. So absolutely. I use it all the time. And the board kind
of expects me to make sure that NASPA's financials are intact. And
so, yeah, debits and credits and assets and liabilities and revenue
and expenses. Absolutely.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:45:43]:
Minor details. Minor details.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:45:44]:
Minor. Minor details. Minor details. Yes.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:45:46]:
Number three, your guilty pleasure TV show binge.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:45:49]:
Oh, I've been watching a lot of TV. I've been watching, because I
do a lot of DVR. Beyond the Gates. It's a brand new soap opera
that's on CBS. I've enjoyed that very much. I just finished
Paradise on Hulu, which everybody at the conference told me I
should watch, and I finished it in two days. It was really good.
And like I said in the keynote, I did watch Love is Blind.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:46:06]:
I I have to watch it.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:46:07]:
I heard this season called Love is Bland. Number four. If someone
visits your city, Washington, DC, what's the one place they must
eat?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:46:16]:
Well, if if they're not opposed to eating meat, I would definitely
say go to Ben's Chili Bowl. It's a staple of the city. You gotta do
that. If you like sushi, I would say go to Oku. I feel like I I
should be giving you one answer. So what are those two? I'll go
with those two. Those are two spots I would go to.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:46:29]:
Number five, your favorite work related podcast.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:46:32]:
Oh, other than the MASP, the podcast. Don't say that? Let me let me
go without one. I wanna say MASP. I should be listening to MASP,
but that's the one.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:46:37]:
Number six, your favorite not work related podcast. I listen
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:46:40]:
to a lot of personal finance and investment type stuff. So it's not
called everyday millionaires, and maybe it's they might be called
everyday millionaires. But the idea that these are everyday people
who have figured out how to make sound investments, not anything,
like, quick, like day trading, but simple things that help them get
to a place of financial stability. So I really like the idea that
more individuals start investing early. And so hearing about people
who made that journey just really excited to me, and they all have
different paths to the same outcome.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:47:06]:
And finally, number seven, any shout outs you'd like to give,
personal or professional?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:47:10]:
Okay. So, the whole NASPA membership, even those who did not come
to the conference, I just have to go back to my place of gratitude.
I'm just honored and thankful to be in this role. So, shout out to
everybody who's a member of NASPA and to those who are not a member
of NASPA, but a part of student affairs. I truly think it's not
exclusively about joining NASPA, but to be in student affairs right
now, it's one of the most challenging and joyful times, play on the
title of my keynote. So anybody who works in student affairs, hello
to you all. Thank you so much for everything that you're doing for
your campuses and for your students. Shout out to you and
Chris.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:47:39]:
Thank you for keeping the podcast going. This is a place where,
when we have these conversations, I know you have to do a lot to
curate it and get it ready. So thank you. Thank you to both of you
and thank you to the NASPA staff and the board and everybody. So I
think I probably covered just about everybody in that everybody in
the field space. But personally, I would say I want to thank my
sister and my brother-in-law and my friend, Tiffany, all who were
in the front row for the conference. I'll never forget it. It was
good to see their smiling faces.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:48:00]:
And then lastly, to Kevin Kruger, who preceded me in the role, to
Gwen Dungey, who preceded him, to be in this role, those two
individuals, I've had conversations with them. They understand more
than anybody what it's like to do the job. And to my mentor, Bob
Schwartz, who along the way, that early, early question about my
journey, he's been with me the whole time. And so I really hesitate
to do this because I feel like I'll leave somebody out. But, yeah,
that's my short but yet long list of people.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:48:22]:
I do have to say after I think we've known each other for at least
five, ten years at this point, and I didn't learn till the
conference you were a twin.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:48:28]:
Yes. I am.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:48:32]:
That was my first time knowing that. Very cute picture, by the way,
that you put up on this line.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:48:36]:
Even though I was half smiling, barely smiling. Yeah.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:48:39]:
Amelia, it's always a pleasure to speak with you. And I know a lot
of our members would like to stay in contact with you. If they
would like to reach you after this episode airs, how can they find
you?
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:48:47]:
The best way is aparnell@NASPA.org. I check my emails on my phone
all the time. I try to get back to folks as soon as I can. But if
it's more casual and social, I'm on LinkedIn, but I don't really do
as much there. But I'd be happy to connect with anybody there too.
But email is probably the best place. Well,
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:49:00]:
Amelia, it's been a pleasure to have you back on the pod. As
always, we want to thank you so much for sharing your voice with us
and the NASPA community.
Dr. Amelia Parnell [00:49:07]:
Thank you very much for having me.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:49:14]:
This has been an episode of SA Voices from the Field, a podcast
brought to you by NASPA. This show is made possible because of you,
the listeners, and we continue to be grateful that you spend your
time with us. If you'd like to reach the show, you can always email
us at essayvoices@NASPA.org or find me on LinkedIn by searching for
doctor Jill L. Creighton. We always welcome your feedback and your
topic and guest suggestions. We'd love it if you take a moment to
tell a colleague about the show, and please leave us a five star
rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening
now. It really helps other student affairs professionals find our
show and helps us to become more visible in the larger podcasting
community. This episode was produced and hosted by doctor Jill
Creighton.
Dr. Jill Creighton [00:49:53]:
That's me. Produced and audio engineered by doctor Chris Lewis.
Special thanks to the University of Michigan Flint for your support
as we create this project. Catch you next time.