2026 SACSA Executive Council Elections

President-Elect

3 candidates

About the position

Presidential responsibilities: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association, Chairperson of the Executive Council, and presiding officer at all business sessions of the Association. Subject to the approval of the Executive Council, the President shall appoint all Committee Chairs. The President shall oversee the annual conference including conference chair, local arrangements, and sponsors and exhibits. The President shall also oversee public policy, and the presidential scholar. The President shall hold ex-officio membership on all committees except the Nominating Committee.

Dashan J. Axson-Lawrence, Ed.D.

Associate Athletic Director, Academics and Student-Athlete Development

George Mason University

Read statement

My experiences across multiple functional areas in higher education have provided me with the perspective to understand the diverse experiences, opportunities, and challenges represented throughout our association. Having served in residence life, multicultural student affairs, academic support, and collegiate athletics, my professional journey has allowed me to experience higher education through multiple lenses rather than from a single functional perspective. This breadth of experience has strengthened my understanding of how our work intersects across campus and prepared me to bring a broad, collaborative perspective to SACSA leadership. As a SACSA member for more than 13 years, beginning as a graduate student, I have experienced firsthand the genuine care, family atmosphere, and commitment to professional growth that make this association special. I have served SACSA in numerous capacities, including on the Executive Council, as a committee and subcommittee chair, and as a volunteer. These experiences have allowed me to understand our association from multiple perspectives and shown me that SACSA can be a place where professionals discover who they are, develop as leaders, and find community. If selected as President-Elect, I would bring these perspectives to the role while collaborating with the Executive Council and SACSA Foundation to advance our strategic priorities. As higher education evolves, I would work to ensure that leadership feels obtainable, members have opportunities to grow and become involved, and professionals at every stage feel seen, valued, and connected, creating an association where current members want to remain and new professionals want to belong.

Dena Kniess, Ph.D.

Professor, Higher Education & Student Affairs

Appalachian State University

Read statement

SACSA's strength has always been its members and one of the main components of the strategic plan have been to increase our membership through encouraging participation by institutions, such as community colleges, HBCUs, etc. that are not currently represented and through our graduate preparation programs. My goal will be to work collaboratively with our membership through listening sessions and the EC on setting goals to achieve SACSA's strategic plan and long-term vision. Additionally, I will continue relationships with NASPA Region III and the Executive Council to see where we can coordinate and collaborate on initiatives.

Lakiesa Rawlinson, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students

University of West Georgia

Read statement

SACSA has been my professional home since 2005—a place where I have grown, served, built meaningful relationships, and helped others find their place within our profession. My qualifications reflect more than 20 years of higher education leadership and sustained service to the association, including roles as Executive Council Member-at-Large, Vice President for Member Engagement, Local Arrangements Chair, committee chair, presenter, mentor, and Mid-Managers Institute faculty member. As Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of West Georgia, I lead complex operations, develop teams, manage crises, build cross-divisional partnerships, and translate strategic priorities into measurable action. My leadership style is relational, strategic, and grounded in accountability. I believe effective leaders listen before acting, leverage the strengths of others, communicate expectations clearly, and create the structure necessary for people and organizations to thrive. As President, I will honor SACSA’s history and values while positioning the association to meet the evolving needs of student affairs professionals. I will engage members across career levels and institutional types, strengthen pathways for volunteer and leadership involvement, and advance professional development that is relevant, inclusive, and accessible. I will work collaboratively with the Executive Council, SACSA Foundation, NASPA Region III, and our institutional partners to establish clear priorities, assess our progress, and steward the association’s resources responsibly. Most importantly, I will lead as both an advocate and a connector—ensuring members feel heard, valued, and inspired to help shape SACSA’s future.

Vice President of Marketing

2 candidates

About the position

Vice President of Marketing: The Vice President of Marketing oversees and serves as a liaison for the Web site, SACSA communication, social networking sites, and membership recruitment and retention, advises the board and membership on the future use of technology within the association. This position also entails the following responsibilities: Serves as the primary contact regarding alterations, design, and service for the SACSA Web site. Identifies and develops programs to advance the knowledge and capabilities of the SACSA membership. Collaborates with the SACSA President and Executive Director to ensure the appropriate and ethical use of technology by the board and membership. Assists the Vice President of Member Engagement in developing strategies to market the organization to external entities. Work in partnership with the Member at Large 1 for membership recruitment and retention efforts. Consults the board on the brand and development of marketing materials and products through technology. Oversees SACSA communications. Works in developing professional development sessions during the annual conference and special programs on integrating technology in Student Affairs. Assists the Vice President of Member Engagement with creating external marketing materials and deciding the appropriate information for the SACSA Website. Oversee the development of a marketing brochure and packet for distribution to current partners and sponsors. These materials would include information about the history of the organization, current programs, member profiles, and benefits of partnering with SACSA Support the strategic plan of the Organization by taking on additional duties as assigned.

Alexis Montana Harp, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Greek Life

University of Georgia

Read statement

Serving as the SACSAlert Coordinator for the past two years, I have had the opportunity to work strategically alongside the VP of Marketing to develop new and effective ways to engage our members and strengthen connection to SACSA. Through my role, I have helped elevate the SACSAlert experience by being intentional about communication, content, length, and collaboration between SACSA News and SACSA Social Media. These experiences have strengthened my skills in communication, marketing, strategy, collaboration, and understanding what our members need and want. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to build intentional and personable relationships. I believe that is exactly where effective marketing starts; understanding the people we serve, what they need, what they value, and what keeps them engaged. In this role, I intend to build that foundation by creating meaningful and consistent communication, strengthening collaboration across SACSA's marketing platforms, and finding innovative ways to increase our engagement. By running for this role, it is more than sharing information. It is to create an experience that makes our members feel informed, connected, and excited to engage with our beloved association.

Brianna Williams, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Residence Life

Kennesaw State University

Read statement

I am excited to serve as SACSA’s Vice President of Marketing because my experience in student affairs, communication, engagement, and relationship-building positions me to strengthen how SACSA connects with members. As an Assistant Director of Residence Life, I develop communication and engagement strategies for students and staff, oversee a monthly RA newsletter, contribute to communications reaching over 1,500 residents, support recruitment and event marketing, and work with campus partners to ensure messaging is consistent and accurate. These responsibilities allow me to communicate with key audiences, strengthen engagement, and support campus efforts. I also serve as Co-Chair of the SACSA MAC Committee, where I promote initiatives, engage members, and encourage colleagues new to SACSA to attend, join committees, and present. These experiences have strengthened my ability to build connections, understand different audiences, and create meaningful opportunities for engagement. As Vice President of Marketing, I will strengthen SACSA’s digital presence through consistent, engaging, member-centered communication. I will collaborate with the Vice President of Membership, Conference Chair, and Executive Council to develop unified messaging, maintain a coordinated communication calendar, and share SACSA’s value and opportunities throughout the year. I will also seek member feedback to evaluate SACSA’s website, social media, and other digital tools and identify opportunities to improve connections with members. I bring creativity, adaptability, strong relationship-building skills, and a willingness to learn. Most importantly, I would approach this role with a commitment to building connections, increasing engagement, and making SACSA more visible, accessible, and connected to the professionals it serves.

Vice President of Professional Development

5 candidates

About the position

Vice President of Professional Development: The Vice President of Professional Development oversees and serves as a liaison for the Mid-Manager's Institute, New Professional Institute, and non-conference programming. The responsibilities of this position specifically entails: Provide guidance and consultation on SACSA policy and procedure as it pertains to hosting, planning, and implementing traditional and new professional development programs. Design and devise a professional development strategy which keeps the membership and appropriate committees informed of current professional development issues. Consult with the Annual Conference Committee to ensure that the conference goals are in alignment with the overall professional enhancement strategy. Co-develop activities with the appropriate committees that may include workshops, networking events in both face-to face and virtual formats. Collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing in promoting professional development activities through the website. Serve as a resource and direct contact for the programs listed above. This includes conveying programmatic and administrative concerns to the board and assisting in a capacity to ensure program success. Work with NASPA Region III Coordinator for Professional Programs; coordinate the selection of directors and faculty for Mid-Managers’ Institute and New Professionals Institute, as well as, participate in site selection. Support the strategic plan of the Organization by taking on additional duties as assigned.

Eric Bailey II, Ed.D.

Senior Associate Vice Provost for Student Academic Success

University of Memphis

Read statement

SACSA has played an important role in my professional journey, and I am excited about the opportunity to give back through leadership and service. I bring more than 16 years of higher education experience and currently serve as Senior Associate Vice Provost for Student Academic Success at the University of Memphis, where I lead a diverse portfolio of student success programs, services, and professionals. My experience also includes designing professional development, developing and implementing strategic initiatives, facilitating learning experiences, and, most recently, serving as Director of the 2026 New Professionals Institute. If selected, I will focus on creating meaningful professional development experiences that meet members where they are throughout every stage of their careers. I envision SACSA as a year-round professional home—one where learning, connection, and development extend well beyond the Annual Conference. This includes strengthening NPI ('14) and MMI ('17), establishing a consistent calendar of workshops and webinars, leveraging the expertise within our membership, and using assessment and member feedback to ensure programming remains relevant and responsive. Collaboration will be central to my approach. I will work closely with NASPA Region III, the Annual Conference Committee, Marketing, and other SACSA leaders to align curriculum, programming, and communication into a cohesive member experience. Ultimately, I hope to honor SACSA’s strong tradition of professional development while creating new opportunities for members to learn, connect, lead, and grow—all year long.

Nequel Burwell, Ed.D.

Director of Residence Life

UNC Charlotte

Read statement

I am excited to seek the position of Vice President for Professional Development because SACSA has played a significant role in my own professional growth. I completed the New Professionals Institute (NPI) in 2014, which remains one of the most rewarding and impactful professional development experiences of my career. In 2016, I served on the Mid-Managers Institute (MMI) host site planning committee. These experiences strengthened my connection to SACSA and inspired my continued involvement in the organization. Professionally, I bring extensive experience developing and facilitating learning opportunities for students and staff. I have served as a faculty member for the ACUHO-I Mid-Level Leadership Institute, taught college-level courses, developed academic curricula, and led training and curriculum initiatives for student staff, graduate assistants, and professional staff. These experiences have equipped me with the skills to design engaging educational experiences, assess learning needs, and support professional growth across career stages. If elected, I will work collaboratively with NASPA Region III, institute directors, conference leadership, and the VP of Marketing to ensure SACSA offers high-quality, relevant, and accessible professional development opportunities. I will prioritize intentional faculty selection, outcomes-based curriculum development, and year-round learning opportunities that complement conference programming. Through strong communication, collaboration, and responsiveness, I will work to ensure SACSA members have meaningful opportunities to learn, connect, and develop as student affairs professionals throughout the year.

Nichole Lewis, Ed.D.

Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students

Elizabeth City State University

Read statement

I have spent the entirety of my student affairs professional career centering SACSA as my professional home. I have moved through the SACSA experience in both volunteer and leadership roles and seen the way the association has propelled folks from graduate student with a learners permit to the executive council rewriting the manual. Whether formally in the Career Services room, or sitting behind the foundation table, to a phone call across state lines providing coaching and counseling to seasoned and not-so-seasoned colleagues, I have become known as a trusted source for feedback, guidance, and fresh eyes with unique solutions. In both my pre-higher education life in industry, and my higher education experience it has been my goal to coach, educate and bring structure and stabilization to processes to enhance others as they build their professional experiences fleet. I intend to be the vehicle that drives the president's vision to the desired destination. SACSA is nothing if not the engine for professional development in our region and I hope to keep that engine oiled and running strong.

Bernard Nichols, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Student Conduct

Johns Hopkins University

Read statement

I bring eight years of SACSA membership, service as Career Services Co-Chair since 2023, and extensive experience creating professional development opportunities. In previous roles, I chaired a Staff Development Committee, developing training for professional and student staff. In my current role, I have launched proactive education initiatives, facilitated more than 100 workshops across student affairs, academic affairs, and student organizations, and used assessment to understand participant experiences and strengthen programming. Within SACSA, I have collaborated with stakeholders, including Graduate Symposium Chairs, to help members build their professional brand and prepare for life after graduate study. I also helped transform the Career Services Workroom into the FOCUS Hub, expanding services beyond resume and cover letter reviews to increase engagement and meet members’ broader professional needs. As VP of Professional Development, I would build a member-centered professional development ecosystem grounded in assessment, collaboration, and shared expertise. Assessment would help us better understand who we serve, what members need, and what they are expecting. I would use those insights to create accessible, year-round opportunities that leverage the expertise within SACSA, including inviting members whose conference proposals are not accepted to facilitate webinars, workshops, or skill labs. My experience participating in the 2024 New Professionals Institute would inform my partnership with NASPA Region III and the NPI and MMI Directors on faculty and curriculum selection. I would also collaborate with the Annual Conference Committee and VP of Marketing to align programming, strengthen promotion, and create intentional learning opportunities before and after the annual conference.

Ahmed Samaha, M.Ed.

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

University of South Carolina Aiken

Read statement

As a higher education professional with more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience, I am well prepared to serve as Vice President for Professional Development for the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA). Throughout my career at the University of South Carolina Aiken, culminating in my current role as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, I have led large teams, developed emerging and senior leaders, overseen strategic initiatives, and created professional development programs that strengthen both individual practitioners and organizational effectiveness. My longstanding involvement with professional associations, including leadership roles within SACSA, NASPA, and NACA, has given me extensive experience designing conferences, coordinating leadership tracks, facilitating educational programs, mentoring professionals, and cultivating meaningful professional networks. As Vice President for Professional Development, I will focus on creating intentional opportunities that support professionals at every stage of their careers. I will work collaboratively to expand leadership development initiatives, strengthen mentoring and networking opportunities, and ensure that professional development offerings are relevant, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of our members. I am particularly committed to developing pathways that support new professionals, mid-level leaders, and aspiring senior administrators while fostering a culture of inclusion, engagement, and lifelong learning. My goal is to leverage my experience in leadership education, conference planning, supervision, and professional association service to help SACSA continue providing high-quality professional development experiences that empower members and advance the student affairs profession.

Member-at-Large

6 candidates

About the position

Member-at-Large The Member-at-Large shall serve as a liaison between the membership and the Executive Council. Responsibilities shall include: The Member-at-Large will oversee any changes to SACSA policies and bylaws, facilitate SACSA resolutions, facilitate the management of committee transitions, and serve as a resource to the SACSA Historian. Additionally, the Member-at-Large will: Serve as a member of the Executive Council and attend all meetings; Participate in discussion, deliberation and voting on all matters before the Council; Gather input from Association members on an ongoing basis to ensure that various segments and opinions of the membership are adequately represented and considered by the Executive Council; Inform the Executive Council of significant issues impacting the membership and/or the Student Affairs profession; Support the strategic plan of the Organization by taking on additional duties as assigned.

Qubanae' C. Hudson, M.S.

Assistant Dean of Students

North Carolina Central University

Read statement

I am committed to serving on the Executive Council as Member-at-Large with a strong foundation in student affairs, leadership, advocacy, and professional engagement. In my role as an Assistant Dean of Students, I work collaboratively with students, colleagues, and campus partners to address concerns, create a holistic environment, build supportive relationships, navigate complex situations, ensure campus safety and care for our students, and ensure that student voices remain central to our work. These experiences have strengthened my ability to listen, communicate, build connections, and advocate for the needs of others. If selected, I intend to fulfill the responsibilities of the Member-at-Large role by being intentional about gathering input from members across the SACSA region and ensuring their experiences, ideas, and concerns are brought forward to the Executive Council. I will prioritize accessibility, active listening, transparency, and consistent communication while creating opportunities for members to feel connected to the organization and to one another. I also hope to contribute my experiences in policy, programming, student support, and collaborative leadership while remaining open to learning from colleagues across institutions and career stages. I view this role as an opportunity to serve, connect, and strengthen our professional community. I would bring a spirit of collaboration, a willingness to listen and learn, and a genuine commitment to ensuring that members feel heard, supported, and represented.

Martina Jackson, M.P.A.

Director of the Colonel Care Network

Eastern Kentucky University

Read statement

I would be honored to serve in this capacity for our profession. It is important that we have effective communicators, individuals dedicated to seeing our field grow, and that we have a professional body committed to ensuring that we have opportunities to develop. I have experience in elected roles both in my professional, and personal life. My leadership experience includes serving on EKU's Staff Council, policy committee, student conduct judiciary committee, and think tanks focused on retention of high need students. I was selected in 2025 by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education's Academic Leadership and Development Institute as a fellow. I have attended SACSA conferences in the last few years and have been able to volunteer as a judge for the case studies competitions. I intend to fulfill my role by continuing to support policies that grow my fellow professionals in our area and represent the interest of our members.

Ti-Ana Pyatt, M.Ed.

Associate Director for Student Engagement

Clemson University

Read statement

I am excited for the opportunity to serve SACSA as the Member-at-Large. My experiences within SACSA and across student affairs have prepared me to thoughtfully represent the diverse perspectives and needs of our membership. Over the past four years, I have had the pleasure of serving SACSA in multiple capacities, including Local Arrangements Co-Chair, Knowledge Cafe Co-Chair, Graduate Student Symposium Coordinator, and as a SACSA Ambassador. These roles have allowed me to engage with professionals and graduate students across different career stages and institutions while contributing to the continued growth of our beloved association. In my professional role as the Associate Director for Student Engagement at Clemson University, I regularly navigate organizational policy, risk management, leadership transitions, and collaborative decision-making. I also serve as a Business Continuity Coordinator, which has strengthened my ability to interpret policies, develop processes, communicate during periods of uncertainty, and ensure that the appropriate voices are included in organizational decisions. As the Member-at-Large, I intend to serve as an accessible and intentional liaison between SACSA members and the Executive Council. My goal is to create meaningful opportunities for members to share their feedback throughout the year, including developing a consistent avenue for the SACSA Executive Council to hear directly from members, identify emerging needs, and respond more intentionally to the experiences of our membership. I want to ensure members understand how their input shapes SACSA’s work. Ultimately, I hope to ensure that members feel heard, represented, and connected to the work of SACSA throughout my term.

Justavian D. Tillman, Ed.D.

Associate Dean of Students

Notre Dame of Maryland University

Read statement

SACSA has been part of my professional journey since 2016, and my experience within the Association has touched many levels of its work. I have served through committees, membership and recruitment, graduate student programming, conference operations, and most recently as Assistant Conference Chair for SACSA’s 75th Annual Conference and as a member of the SACSA–NASPA Region III Task Force. Each experience has allowed me to see SACSA from a different perspective and deepen my understanding of what makes this Association meaningful to its members. I believe Member-at-Large is the natural next step in my service to SACSA. After years of contributing to specific programs and initiatives, I am ready to gain a broader understanding of the Association through its governance while also bringing nearly a decade of SACSA experience to the Executive Council. Professionally, much of my work involves listening to different constituencies, developing and reviewing policy, improving organizational processes, and helping teams navigate change. Those experiences align directly with the Member-at-Large’s responsibility to represent the membership while supporting SACSA’s policies, bylaws, resolutions, and leadership transitions. If elected, I will be intentional about listening across the membership, bringing those perspectives to the Executive Council, and helping ensure SACSA’s governance reflects the people it serves. I see this opportunity as a chance to both give back to an Association that has invested in me and gain a fuller breadth of understanding of SACSA as an organization.

Jalesha E. Turner, M.Ed.

Assistant Director for Student Staffing

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Read statement

The opportunity to serve SACSA and its members as Member-At-Large is not one I take lightly. Since attending my first SACSA conference in 2018, I have continued to engage, serve, and learn through various roles and opportunities. These experiences have allowed me to build relationships with members across institutions, career stages, and areas of involvement. Those relationships are important because I believe serving SACSA means more than supporting the organization; it means listening to its people, understanding their experiences and needs, and ensuring their voices are represented. Through my knowledge, relationships, and commitment to SACSA and its members, I believe I am prepared to serve in this role. If elected, I would approach this responsibility with intentionality. I would continue gathering feedback from members across the region and bringing those perspectives into Executive Council conversations. I would seek input beyond those who are already highly involved in SACSA and create opportunities for members to share what is working, where they see challenges, and how SACSA can better serve its membership. I would also bring my experience with transition reports, documentation, and organizational processes to support continuity within the Executive Council and organization as a whole. I would prioritize documenting decisions, processes, and lessons learned throughout my term while upkeeping a transition process that allows outgoing and incoming leaders to provide feedback. Ultimately, I want to serve in a way that is responsive to SACSA’s members, accountable to the organization, and intentional about leaving the work stronger for those who come next.

ShyAnte'e Williams,M.Ed.

Coordinator of Student Center and Activity

Southern Methodist University

Read statement

I am passionate about informed advocacy, recognizing the importance of including voices and assessments to foster meaningful change. My focus is on people and their growth; I've dedicated my work to removing barriers, improving efficiency, and creating platforms for people to thrive. I believe I possess the skills to fulfill this role in any capacity needed. I am adaptable and willing to make myself available, incorporate new ideas, and refine initiatives that need additional focus. I have an eye for detail and innovation. I enjoy assessing situations and conducting thoughtful analysis to support change or decision-making. Overall, I appreciate collaborating with others who share a mission, goal, or initiative, and I aim to contribute to SACSA's mission.

How to vote Eligibility, ballot instructions & assistance

Voting period

Voting opens on Monday, September 28, 2026, and closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Ballots submitted after this deadline will not be counted.
Eligibility to vote

All active regular and student members of SACSA as of September 15 are eligible to vote in Executive Council elections. If you are unsure of your membership status, please contact Dr. Tony Cawthon at executive.director@sacsa.org prior to submitting your ballot.
Receive your ballot.

Ballots will be emailed to the primary address listed in your member profile on Monday, September 28. Emails will be sent by admin@sacsa.org. SACSA uses a third-party vendor, Zoho Survey, to conduct elections.
Make your selections
- Review the list of candidates carefully.
- For each leadership position, select one (1) candidate.
- Mark your selection clearly using the designated method.
- You can only vote once, and this ballot is unique to your membership account.
Review your ballot

Before submitting, double-check your selections to ensure your vote reflects your choices.
Submit your ballot

Submit your completed ballot through the official voting platform by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 14, 2026. You will receive a confirmation once your ballot is submitted successfully.
Need assistance?

For questions about technical issues, please contact past.president@sacsa.org.

Your participation is essential to the continued growth and leadership of SACSA. Thank you for taking the time to vote.

Sincerely,

Matt Clifford

Past President
Chair, SACSA Nominations Committee

2026 SACSA Executive Council Elections

2026 election dates

President-Elect

Dashan J. Axson-Lawrence, Ed.D.

Dena Kniess, Ph.D.

Lakiesa Rawlinson, Ph.D.

Vice President of Marketing

Alexis Montana Harp, M.Ed.

Brianna Williams, M.Ed.

Vice President of Professional Development

Eric Bailey II, Ed.D.

Nequel Burwell, Ed.D.

Nichole Lewis, Ed.D.

Bernard Nichols, M.Ed.

Ahmed Samaha, M.Ed.

Member-at-Large

Qubanae' C. Hudson, M.S.

Martina Jackson, M.P.A.

Ti-Ana Pyatt, M.Ed.

Justavian D. Tillman, Ed.D.

Jalesha E. Turner, M.Ed.

ShyAnte'e Williams,M.Ed.

Voting period

Eligibility to vote

Receive your ballot.

Make your selections

Review your ballot

Submit your ballot

Need assistance?