Student Affairs Women Lead We want to Support, Affirm, Lift, and Transform. SALT

Tisa Mason

In her post for the NASPA Women in Student Affairs community, Dr. Tisa Mason wrote, “I always have faith in the little things we all do to make a difference.” She continues to encourage the hearts and minds of students, staff, and faculty at Fort Hays State University, where she serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs, the first female in the role.

Prior to her work at Fort Hays, Dr. Mason served as the Dean of Student Life at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the Executive Director of Sigma Kappa Sorority and Foundation, The Director of Student Life at Christopher Newport University, and the Assistant Dean of Students at Hanover College.

In addition to her work on campus, Dr. Mason is a past president of the National Interfraternity Conference Foundation (also the first female in that role), a former trustee for the Sigma Kappa Foundation, and is certified through the American Society of Association Executives. She is on the board for NASPA and the Association for Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV), and is President of the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity.

Dr. Mason received her Bachelor of Arts in sociology/anthropology from Transylvania University, her Master of Science in Education in Counseling and Guidance/Student Personnel Work in Higher Education from Eastern Illinois University, and her Doctor of Education in Higher Education from the College of William and Mary.

At William and Mary, she was also the recipient of the Galfo Research Award. Additionally, she received the Outstanding Advisor award while at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

We thank Dr. Mason for her continued work in encouraging students, staff, and faculty to be and do more, and we thank her for her wonderful example of leading from the heart. You can follow Dr. Mason on Twitter at @tamason.

This is a month-long effort to recognize amazing women leaders in student affairs. If you know of a wonderful leader, we encourage you to write your own blog to honor them or tell us about them in the comments. Keep watching throughout March, National Women’s History Month, for more spotlights on great leaders.

Theresa Powell

Dr. Powell exemplifies the commitment and dedication that makes student affairs so effective. Since 2002, Dr. Theresa Powell has served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Temple University. Prior to Temple, she served as Dean of Students and then Vice President for Student Affairs at Western Michigan University, and in positions with the Ohio Board of Regents and Wilberforce University in Ohio. She was also a tenured faculty member while at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Powell has a B.A in sociology and education from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.Ed. from Texas Christian University, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Powell is a past president of NASPA and a NASPA Foundation board member. In addition to her many accomplishments, she has been recognized with:

• 2008 recipient of the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA
• 2003 NASPA Pillar of the Profession
• 2000 recipient of the prestigious Ohio State University Maude Stewart Award for contributions to higher education and student affairs

She has written and presented at regional and national conferences on student culture and diversity, student leadership, and professional development of women administrators. Dr. Powell is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in addition to community work in the Philadelphia area.

We would like to thank Dr. Powell for her leadership and dedication to students and her work in developing the student affairs work that we do.

This is a month-long effort to recognize amazing women leaders in student affairs. If you know of a wonderful leader, we encourage you to write your own blog to honor them or tell us about them in the comments. Keep watching throughout March, National Women’s History Month, for more spotlights on great leaders.