Jessica Bailey is a higher education leader with extensive experience in enrollment management, student services, career readiness, and operational transformation. She currently serves as Director of Enrollment and Career Readiness at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where she leads initiatives designed to connect students from enrollment through career outcomes. Previously, Jessica played a key leadership role in the development and expansion of EKU’s Big E Central integrated one-stop model, helping bring together academic readiness, student intervention, enrollment, and career services to create a more seamless student experience. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and brings a strong background in public service, student support, and organizational leadership.

Jessica’s work centers on creating connected, responsive systems that help both students and the professionals who serve them navigate change with greater clarity and confidence. As EKU evolved Big E Central into a broader, integrated student support model, she helped develop new communication practices, workflows, and service structures designed to keep staff informed and empower them to provide timely, accurate support. Her presentation explores the practical realities of delivering real-time updates in a complex student services environment—including how leaders can improve internal communication, reduce information gaps, and create a more consistent experience for students across departments. She is passionate about sharing practical strategies that student services professionals can take back to their own institutions.

Sandy Banos brings over 12 years of higher education experience to her role as a Counselor at the Titan Hub at California State University, Fullerton. She holds a master’s degree in Equity, Education, and Social Justice, where her research focused on student-centered educational frameworks and critical pedagogy. Throughout her career, including nearly a decade dedicated to supporting student veterans, Sandy has been dedicated to supporting first-generation students and historically underrepresented student communities. At the Titan Hub, she leads digital engagement and strategic social media outreach to demystify complex university processes, increase transparency, and build meaningful connections with historically underserved scholars.

Michael Cockrell is the Associate Director of One Stop on UTK's campus. Michael has been with One Stop for over 4 years now and has grown from a counselor to Assistant Director, to now Associate Director. Michael oversees all office operations and staff that includes 23 full-time employees and 21 student assistants. UTK's One Stop runs on hybrid operations, with prospective students, current students, families, faculty and staff able to reach us via phone, SalesForce Case (email), and in-person walk-in services. We assist The Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid & Scholarships, University Bursar, and University Registrar Offices. 

Christopher Coleman is a native of Wildwood, NJ, and a graduate of Stockton University in Galloway, NJ, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. While at Stockton University (formerly The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey), Mr. Coleman became a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and a First-Generation college graduate. Following his undergraduate experience, Mr. Coleman discovered his passion for Social Work was not limited to children and families but was primarily rooted in the progression and development of communities. Mr. Coleman dedicated himself to the Mental Health field, serving in various capacities in both residential and school settings for a total of 7 years before transitioning to higher education.

In the Summer of 2018, Mr. Coleman landed on the campus of Morgan State University as a Resident Director with the Office of Residence Life & Housing. Here, he devoted three years to promoting and providing a transformative experience for our campus community. Mr. Coleman simultaneously served as a Coordinator of the Morgan M.I.L.E. (Male Initiative on Leadership and Excellence) and, in 2020, earned his Master’s Degree in Sociology. Mr. Coleman is also an adjunct professor with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, pursuing his Ph.D. in Applied Sociology and Social Justice. Mr. Coleman is passionate about the education and advancement of his students and the institution alike, as our individual success contributes to our success as a Morgan global community.

Hannah Connor serves as the Student Central Manager at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), bringing more than seven years of experience in higher education. Beginning her career in an entry-level position, Hannah advanced through roles in financial literacy and communications before transitioning into leadership. Her professional journey has shaped her passion for talent development, student success, and data-informed process improvement.

Hannah co-leads CVTC's Achieving the Dream initiative, spearheading the institution's data team efforts to support continuous improvement and student success. She is also helping guide a significant remodel of CVTC's one-stop Student Central office, designed to complement the college's student journey work and enhance the student experience. She is proud to contribute to an institution recognized as a top-10 finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

Beyond CVTC, Hannah recently completed seven years on the board of her local Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals organization, most recently serving as the outgoing board chair. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young children.

Jaclyn Demetrak is the Coordinator of the Warrior One-Stop at Wayne State University, where she leads front-line student services and oversees the recruitment, training, and development of a team of student leaders who support thousands of students each year. With more than 13 years of experience in higher education, Jaclyn has focused her career on creating efficient, student-centered service models while fostering meaningful learning and leadership opportunities for student employees.

Believing that student employees are more than just front-line support, Jaclyn is passionate about developing intentional hiring, onboarding, and training programs that empower students to become confident campus ambassadors and valuable contributors to institutional success. Through collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to exceptional customer service, she enjoys sharing practical strategies that help colleges and universities strengthen their student service operations while enhancing the student experience.

Mona Dolton has served as Director of Student Services Navigation at Portland Community College since July 2023. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she leads PCC’s transition to a first-stop student service model, emphasizing collaboration, staff development, and equitable access. Her background spans various roles in student and academic affairs, restorative justice based youth education, business consulting, and 10+ years of jewelry retail management, grounding her leadership in customer service and staff development.

Mona began her educational journey at Palomar Community College, where she earned two business based associate degrees and fell in love with education. She went on to earn bachelor’s degrees in Social Sciences and Communication and a master’s degree in Sociological Practice, all from California State University, San Marcos. Her master’s thesis explored the experiences of students with invisible disabilities in higher education, informing her commitment to equitable access and student belonging. Outside of work, Mona enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, gardening, cooking, attending concerts and theater, tackling home improvement projects, and playing games.

Tim DuFresne is a founding staff member of his department's One-Stop Shop, Wolverine Services, and has served as the Wolverine Services Supervisor since 2022.

Alecia Fields is the Director of Enrollment Operations and Student Services, overseeing a multi-campus hybrid One Stop that supports students through both in-person and virtual service delivery models. An experienced leader in enrollment operations, student services, organizational leadership, and process improvement, she has led service model redesigns, implemented data-driven reporting through the adoption of student service ticketing systems that track service demand and student traffic trends, and advanced institution-wide fraud prevention initiatives. Alecia is passionate about building and empowering high-performing teams and creating student-centered operations that enhance the student experience and drive institutional success.

Ryan Fisher serves as Director of Enrollment Services Center at Penn State University, University Park, where he leads a cross trained team of 28 focused on enhancing the student experience and supporting enrollment services operations. With more than a decade in higher education administration and student services, Ryan focuses on working collaboratively to develop student-centered processes that improve service delivery, removes barriers, and improves efficiency. His work focuses on operational excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and leveraging technology to support students throughout their educational journey from application to graduation.

Darice Fowler (she/her) is a Senior Counselor within One Stop Student Services at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, where she works with students navigating financial aid, billing, registration, and financial crises. Her work includes administering the University’s emergency grant program and connecting students with resources to address basic needs and financial barriers. Her professional interests include supporting students experiencing financial instability, international students, and students with disabilities and other access needs.

Prior to working in higher education, Darice worked as a crisis counselor at a Minneapolis-based nonprofit, an experience that continues to inform her approach to student support. Outside of her role at the University, she also volunteers with high school exchange students throughout their year-long international exchange experience. Darice holds an M.A. in Applied Child and Adolescent Development from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development and a B.A. in Criminology from Flagler College.

Lisa M.C. Ginder has spent her entire professional career in Higher Education, currently working as the Executive Director of Integrated Student Services at Kean University. She is overseeing the development & launch of the new Cougar Help Center which will serve students across three campuses and virtually. Leveraging her passion for organizational development & drawing from her 26 years of experience in Enrollment, Student Development, & Residence Life, she found her niche opening the One Stops at Union College of Union County, NJ & Rutgers University–Newark campus. Her career has been dedicated to understanding & dissecting the entire lifecycle of a student from start to finish - always remaining cognizant of putting the student first while teaching them independence to navigate their higher education career.

When not at work, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband & two young children, participating in the PTA, & serving as a women's fertility advocate.

Levi Glavin is the Associate Director of Operations and Student Experience at The Hub, the One Stop at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, Colorado. In that role, Levi: directly manages 8-10 front-lines counseling staff, oversees the implementation and maintenance of technological systems like Amazon Web Services, HelpSpot, and WaitWell, and supports all day-to-day processes that seek to support CSU’s students to the best of The Hub’s abilities.

Scott Hagg is Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at UC Merced. With more than three decades of experience in higher education, he has served in leadership roles spanning admissions, financial aid, records, student success, and enrollment strategy. Scott is passionate about creating seamless, student-centered services and removing barriers that prevent students from reaching their educational goals. His work focuses on improving access, supporting student success, and helping institutions navigate enrollment challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Chalah has been a professional in higher ed for 28 years with 20 years of management experience. At Seminole State College, she leads the Adult Education Student Services team, the Contact Center, Student Communications and Student Success Specialists teams. Chalah is an active member of the college community. She is a graduate of the 2014-2015 Leadership Academy class, has led the community-based Goldsboro Training Initiative, was an application administrator for the Navigate Implementation Team, board member of the Professional Employee Council and as Co-Chair of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

Meredith Hauer Epee has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with extensive leadership experience in financial aid and student services. She has served at Normandale Community College for the past 14 years, including eight years as Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Currently, Meredith serves as Director of Student Services, leading Normandale’s integrated One Stop service center. She played a key role in designing and launching the department, transforming how students access support and services. The department provides assistance with records, registration, financial aid, scholarships, billing, payment services, and student communications. Under her leadership, the department has grown by 350% in six years while maintaining exceptional service, as reflected in a 96% student satisfaction rate.

Meredith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Economics and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, both from St. Catherine University.

Sean has been blessed with over 25 years of engaging and inspiring students and colleagues in institutions around the globe. In addition to his role as Assistant Dean for Student Success, he teaches multiple courses, advises student organizations and even coached the club baseball team for seven seasons.

Sean's interactive style of teaching and presenting has opened the door for him to teach in India, and present keynote addresses at student leadership conferences across the U.S. His his research on FERPA and Family Communication Expectations won an award for best Doctoral Research in 2026, and he hopes this research will reshape the way universities work with today's changing students and their families.

Daniel Janak, serves as Project Manager in the Department of Design and Construction Management at Morgan State University, where he oversees major institutional capital projects designed to elevate the student, staff, and campus experience. Combining advanced degrees in engineering, business administration and project management, Daniel bridges strategic planning with collaborative project execution to create high-performing, welcoming physical environments. Daniel notably managed the comprehensive design and construction of Morgan State’s landmark Tyler Hall Student Services Building. Designed as an intuitive, centralized "one-stop shop," this 140,000-square-foot, award-winning facility transformed how students interact with university administration by co-locating vital services—including admissions, enrollment management, financial aid, the registrar, and student accounts—under one roof. The building was recognized with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, pairing expressive civic architecture with functional, service-oriented interiors that support seamless student navigation and staff collaboration.

Building upon that milestone, Daniel is currently leading the design and construction of a next-generation Science Research Facility; Morgan's largest capital project to date; which houses advanced multidisciplinary laboratories and collaborative academic spaces. In addition to directing major building construction, Daniel serves on campus project teams and committees advancing the university's decarbonization planning, supporting heating and cooling utility modernization, and aligning with Maryland’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). Throughout his work, Daniel partners closely with university stakeholders, designers, and builders to deliver spaces that enhance the daily campus journey.

Renee Keller, Manager of Wayne State University’s Warrior One-Stop, brings more than 20 years of experience serving the Wayne State University community. She began her career in the Office of the Registrar in 2002 before transitioning to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Since 2012, Renee has proudly served students through the Warrior One-Stop, helping them navigate a wide range of university-related needs and connecting them with the resources, services, and support they need to succeed.

Renee holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Marketing from Wayne State University. In her role as Manager, she leads a dedicated team of 11 full-time Enrollment Specialists and five College Work-Study Student Assistants. Her experience across multiple areas of the university has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the student experience and the importance of delivering accessible, personalized, and responsive service.

Kenny Kolanko has been with the One Stop Student Services Center at Rutgers University – New Brunswick for seven years, first as a Student Services Advisor, and currently as a Team Lead. He supervises a team of Student Services Advisors, and co-chairs the Student Response and Reference Committee - which focuses on creating and maintaining clear, concise, uniform language to be used in interactions with students. He has a total of 19 years of experience in higher education, with prior experience in Residence Life, Academic Advising, and Athletic Marketing. Kenny holds a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University - New Brunswick.

Lindsay Levy is a Senior Enrollment Services Counselor for World Campus Central at The Pennsylvania State University. With over 16 years of experience in higher education, Lindsay has served in various capacities from financial aid, to student services and she even taught some business courses in the past. Her career spans a range of institutions, including a two-year business school, a four-year liberal arts college, and now a flagship public university.

In Lindsay’s current role, she works remotely in intake operations, helps manage enrollment projects, and serves as a VA School Certifying Official, supporting the World Campus Military Benefits team when needed. Her educational background includes an Associate’s degree in Executive Assistance from DuBois Business College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Penn College.

Lindsay is dedicated to guiding and supporting students as they work toward achieving their educational goals, bringing both professional expertise and personal commitment to every interaction.

Juan Lopez is a proud UC Merced alumnus and higher education professional passionate about creating meaningful connections between students and the resources that support their success. As an Enrollment Services Advisor and Digital Marketing Coordinator at UC Merced, he leads student-centered communication strategies, digital campaigns, and collaborative initiatives designed to make important information more accessible, engaging, and relevant. With a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership, Juan brings together his experience in enrollment services, student engagement, and digital marketing to develop creative and innovative approaches that strengthen the student experience and support student success.

Patrick has worked in higher education for over 20 years and currently serves as the Executive Director of Integrated Enrollment Services and Cougar One Stop. He holds a Master's in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Texas A&M University and a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Houston. He has also previously worked at Rice University and Georgetown University.

Latisha McCray currently serves as Director of Student Services and Communications Center at Seminole State College of Florida, where she leads initiatives focused on improving the student experience, strengthening communication, and connecting students with the information and support they need from enrollment through completion. Previously, she served as Director of Admissions, where she worked to streamline admissions processes, reduce barriers to enrollment, and create stronger pathways to higher education.

Latisha holds a Master of Arts in Career and Technical Education from the University of Central Florida and Bachelor's in Liberal Studies from the University of Central Florida. student success. A committed professional leader, Latisha served as President of the Florida Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (FACRAO) in 2026 and continues to serve the organization in leadership and advisory roles.

Chris Morett, PhD, President of Co| Here Campus and Workplace, is a consultant and former university administrator who advises institutions on strategic campus and space planning and evaluation as well as student-centered course scheduling.

He is the former president of the Higher Education Facilities Management Alliance and is currently a member of the Society for College and University Planning’s Mid-Atlantic Council. His writing has appeared in outlets including Inside Higher Ed, SCUP’s Planning in Higher Education Journal, The Teaching Professor, and Allwork.Space.

Mike Ormsby has spent 15 years working in higher education with experience in student affairs, academic support, and One Stop student services. Starting his career as a hall director, he has always been passionate about helping students navigate their college experience and does not miss the 2am duty phone calls. Mike has led the transition to integrated student services at both a small private college and a large public university, giving him a broad perspective on building student-centered support models. When he's not working, you'll likely find him and his family at their kids sports games where he repeatedly reminds kids to stop playing with the grass/dirt and watch the ball (also known as coaching).

Scott is a technology guru with an extensive background in IT, design, and customer service. He currently serves as the higher-education specialist Client Success Manager at WaitWell where he has implemented sites for, and continues to support, 53 institutions within the academia vertical.

He's looking forward to showcasing WaitWell's latest features and sharing his expertise on workflow configurations for queue and appointment management, staff scheduling, and more, for prospective and existing clients at his second ISSP.

Erin Porter is the Executive Director of Aggie One Stop at Texas A&M University. Aggie One Stop was launched in 2022 to streamline support for the University’s 79,000+ students.

Under Erin’s leadership, Aggie One Stop provides holistic, student-centered assistance across admissions, financial aid, veteran benefits, billing, and registration—reducing complexity and improving the overall student experience through collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional service.

Prior to launching Aggie One Stop, Erin held a variety of roles in the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid over a span of 17 years. She had found leading an integrated enrollment services team to be a truly rewarding and energizing experience.

Melanie Price has held various roles in higher education over the last 27 years. She has worked in advising, new student orientation and currently serves as Manager, Start Strong Center at Pellissippi State Community College. She earned a BA Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a MS Counseling and Psychology from Troy University.

She is passionate about helping remove barriers to success. She seeks to help students navigate the many processes that can create challenges and cause frustration. She understands the importance of providing pertinent information to students at all phases of their educational journey. She seeks to holistically serve students through collaboration and cooperation with various college departments.

Speaker profile coming soon.

Michelle Rill is the Assistant Director of World Campus Central (WCC), the Enrollment Management Services one-stop support center for Penn State World Campus. With more than 30 years of experience in education, including 13 years at Penn State, she has served in a variety of student-focused roles, including classroom educator, county coordinator of adult education programs, financial aid specialist, and senior enrollment services counselor. She holds an M.Ed. in Alternative Education from Lock Haven University and has dedicated her career to helping students achieve their educational goals.

In her current role, Michelle oversees the daily operations of WCC and leads a remote team of six senior counselors. She collaborates with partner units across World Campus to support outreach efforts and enrollment management initiatives through strategic planning and collaboration. Michelle is passionate about developing and supporting high-performing teams. She considers one of the most rewarding aspects of her role with WCC as being a cheerleader for her team by encouraging them to grow professionally and reach their full potential. Through her leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to student success, Michelle helps ensure that Penn State World Campus students receive the guidance and support they need throughout the enrollment processes.

Nichole (Nikki) Rishel is the Associate Director of Training for the Enrollment Services Center at Penn State University. With almost 10 years of experience in higher education, she has dedicated her career to staff development, training, and student support. Prior to joining the Enrollment Services Center, Nikki spent seven years in Penn State's Office of Student Aid, most recently as Assistant Director of Training. Today, she leads the creation and delivery of onboarding and ongoing professional development programs helping employees build the knowledge and skills needed to provide excellent service to students and families.

Gabriel Saldaña is an educational leader, international speaker, Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, and founder of Kineo Collective, LLC, where he created The CARE Model™—a practical, curiosity-driven framework for student success and leadership development. Grounded in higher education administration, global humanitarian outreach, and cross-cultural engagement, Gabriel brings deep empathy and relational strategy to every audience he serves.

He currently serves as a Senior Navigator for Student Success at Central Piedmont Community College, where he champions high-impact retention strategies and service initiatives supporting over 60,000 students across the greater Charlotte metropolitan area.

Julie Selander, PhD, is the Executive Director of One Stop Student Services at the University of Minnesota. She has more than 35 years of experience in higher education administration and finance, including a variety of leadership roles in student services and service operations. In 2000, she collaborated with colleagues to develop the “One Stop” model at the University of Minnesota, designed to provide seamless, integrated student services across enrollment, registration, financial aid, billing and payment, academic records, financial wellness, and veteran services.

Dr. Selander is a founding board member and currently serves as the President for the Institute for Student Services Professionals (ISSP). She has provided consulting services to a wide range of public and private colleges and universities around the United States and internationally, including institutions in Sweden, Australia, China, Japan, Canada, and England. Her consulting work focuses on developing and implementing integrated student service models and leading continuous improvement initiatives. Dr. Selander frequently presents to national and regional audiences on higher education student services and has written dozens of published articles, including a chapter in NACUBO’s Student Centered Financial Services: Innovations That Succeed. 

Dr. Selander earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees from the University of Minnesota. Her PhD is in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development with an emphasis in Higher Education. She has also served for several years as a part-time instructor at the University of Minnesota, where she taught Strategic Customer Relationship Management and Customer Service Training.

Jeff Shikaze has spent four years at WaitWell, a service operations platform that helps busy organizations deliver better service. As Marketing Manager, his work spans multiple verticals, with higher education as his key focus.

Jeff is an active member of several higher education associations, including AACRAO, NASFAA, NACUBO, and ISSP. WaitWell partners with more than 65 institutions, and Jeff works closely with these campus teams to help them serve students better. He is excited to attend his fourth ISSP conference.

Pia St. Pierre is a Senior Enrollment Services Counselor for World Campus Central at The Pennsylvania State University. In her current role, she works as part of a remote team to support enrollment at Penn State World Campus through intake operations, student outreach, and other enrollment projects. She also supports the World Campus Peer Guide Program as a peer guide supervisor. Through her work, she strives to support the holistic development and growth of students through collaborative relationships, advocacy, and meeting students where they are at.

Pia has held roles in various functional areas including Academic Advising, Disability Services, Enrollment Services, Student Success, Career Services, Admissions, and New Student Orientation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Penn State and her Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Laura Stansell serves as Director of One Stop Student Services at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she leads a team dedicated to making the student experience a little easier to navigate—and a lot more human. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education and a Ph.D. focused on higher education leadership, Laura is passionate about student service, enrollment management, leadership, and creating teams and experiences where people can thrive. She is also a frequent presenter who believes professional development needs to be fun and doesn’t have to be boring.

Outside of work, Laura is married to Zak and is mom to 16-year-old twins, Ben and Katie. She loves traveling, reading, cooking, and planning her next adventure—preferably one that involves Disney. A proudly self-described Disney Adult, Laura is always happy to discuss higher education strategy, leadership, or where to find the best snack in a Disney park.

Jay Stefanelli, Ph.D. serves as the Director of the One Stop Student Services Center at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where he leads a university-wide effort to modernize and integrate student services. He provides strategic direction, fosters cross-campus collaboration, and drives innovation to improve access, efficiency, and the overall student experience. Under his leadership, the One Stop has become a national model for student-centered service delivery and earned Rutgers recognition for excellence in enrollment management and student success.

With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Stefanelli has advanced institutional initiatives in enrollment management, technology integration, and student support. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, an MBA, and a B.S. from Rutgers University, and is a frequent national presenter on topics related to student experience design, organizational leadership, and the future of integrated student services.

As Director of the Start Strong Center at Pellissippi State Community College, Jessica leads a comprehensive Enrollment Services One Stop focused on creating seamless, student-centered experiences and removing barriers to student success. With more than a decade of experience across enrollment services, financial aid, admissions, registration, and student support, Jessica brings a holistic perspective to helping students navigate the college experience.

In her current role, Jessica provides strategic and operational leadership for a multidisciplinary team and works collaboratively across campus to strengthen communication, streamline processes, and create greater consistency in student service. She has led initiatives focused on cross-functional training, student communication, barrier removal, and continuous improvement, including the development of the Start Strong Center. Jessica is passionate about breaking down institutional silos, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, and using data and feedback from students and staff to improve the enrollment experience. Her work is grounded in the belief that when institutions collaborate effectively, they can create more accessible, supportive, and successful pathways for all learners.

Anthony Surratt serves as the Senior Director of the One Stop Enrollment Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he leads efforts to make enrollment services more accessible and student-centered. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, his background includes leadership roles in Admissions, New Student Programs, and Enrollment Management.

As the founder and president of the National Leadership Society of First Generation College Students, also known as FirstGen Society, Anthony is committed to supporting first-generation students through leadership development and community connection. A first-generation college graduate himself, he brings a practical and student-focused perspective to his work and presentations.

Arbeena Thapa is the Assistant Director of the One Stop Enrollment Center at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she leads training, onboarding, and student experience initiatives that support staff development and student success. With more than 8 years of experience in higher education, enrollment services, and financial aid administration, she has served in leadership and student-facing roles across both public and private sector institutions, including The University of Texas at San Antonio, The University of Texas at Austin, and University of North Texas. Her work focuses on staff training, process improvement, operational excellence, and translating complex regulations into practical solutions that improve service for students and families.

Arbeena holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology from Northwestern University, where her studies emphasized qualitative research methods. In simpler terms, she's a proud "people nerd" who enjoys understanding how individuals learn, communicate, and navigate systems. That perspective has shaped her approach to leadership, training, and student services by keeping people at the center of every process. She also maintains multiple professional credentials through NASFAA in federal student aid administration. Outside of work, Arbeena is a dedicated cat mom to Minerva, who keeps her humble and regularly reminds her that she is not actually in charge.

Dr. Kara Turner is Morgan State University's inaugural Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, appointed on July 1, 2016, and promoted to Senior Vice President in July 2023. She provides strategic leadership to the University's enrollment management efforts, overseeing seven student services offices: Undergraduate Recruitment, Admissions Operations, Financial Aid, Student Success and Retention, the Center for Academic Success and Achievement, the Registrar, and the Bear Essentials One Stop Student Services Center. Under her leadership, numerous enhancements to student services have been implemented, over $4 million in external grants to support student success have been awarded, and the University has experienced historic increases in enrollment, retention rates, and graduation rates. 

Dr. Turner has worked at Morgan since 2002. Before her appointment as Vice President, she held various administrative positions, including Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Associate Provost at Morgan, and Assistant to the Dean of Liberal Arts and Education and Assistant Professor of History at Virginia State University. Dr. Turner earned her B.A. in Political Science and Africana Studies from Rutgers University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in American History from Duke University. Her research specialty is African American civil rights and educational history. She has authored several publications, including book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, book reviews, and encyclopedia entries. She has also given numerous scholarly and public presentations at national conferences, schools, universities, and community venues. 

Dr. Turner has extensive experience in Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management and is committed to ensuring that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds and levels of academic preparedness have the opportunity to obtain a college degree.

Jennifer Vaden is the founder and managing partner of Vaden Higher Education Consulting and a higher education strategist and consultant with more than twenty years of experience in higher education. She specializes in helping colleges and universities design, implement, and strengthen integrated one-stop student service models. Prior to launching her consulting practice, Jennifer served as Director of Student Financial & Registration Services at the George Washington University, where she led the transition from a co-located service center to a fully integrated one-stop team. Today, she partners with higher education leaders to develop service models, align stakeholders, design staffing and workflows, and guide implementation. Her collaborative, data-informed approach is grounded in the belief that, working as one team, we can transform our colleges and universities into models of innovation and service excellence.

Jean Valencia is the Assistant Director of One-Stop Operations at UCNJ. He began his career in higher education as an academic advisor, where he developed valuable experience supporting students and helping them navigate their academic journey. Building on this experience, he transitioned into a leadership role and now supports the day-to-day operations of the One-Stop centers while collaborating with staff and campus partners to enhance the student experience.

His leadership focuses on team development, collaboration, and creating a supportive environment for both his team and the students they serve.

Shannon Vander Meulen is Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at WaitWell, a service operations platform built to help colleges and universities manage queues, appointments, staff scheduling, and visitor intake across student service locations on busy college and university campuses. WaitWell supports higher education institutions in delivering smoother, more efficient front-line service experiences for students, with a growing suite of AI tools built on top. She is moderating the panel discussion "Building Your Dream Team: Recruitment & Retention Strategies for One-Stop Student Service Centers

Dr. Ruth Vega is the director of the Cougar One Stop at the University of Houston and Houston, Texas. UH is a large public four-year university that serves almost 50,000 students. The Cougar One Stop launched June 1, 2026 and provide services in the areas of financial aid, billing, and payments and enrollment in records. 

Bethany Warner is the Director of Intervention and Academic Readiness at Eastern Kentucky University’s Big E Central, part of the Division of Student Success, Enrollment, Retention & Graduation. She leads student-centered strategies focused on retention, academic success, and student progression. With experience in academic advising, career development, intervention, case management, and enrollment support, Bethany brings a broad perspective to helping students navigate barriers to success. Her work combines data-informed outreach, proactive intervention, and personalized support to create connected experiences that help students stay on track and persist to graduation.

Chevaun Whitman is a seasoned higher education leader with over 20 years of experience advancing student success and access. She is the inaugural Director of Morgan State University’s Bear Essentials One-Stop Student Services Center, leading a team dedicated to supporting students, families, and campus visitors.

Prior to returning to her alma mater, Morgan State University, Chevaun held senior leadership roles at Trinity Washington University, including Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, Director of Financial Aid, and Associate Registrar. Her work has been recognized for its lasting impact, particularly through various enrollment and retention initiatives.

Chevaun holds a B.S. in Telecommunications from Morgan, an M.A. in Liberal and Professional Studies, and a Management and Leadership Development certificate from Towson University.

Guided by compassion and empathy, she leads with students at the center of every decision, motivated by an unwavering commitment to empowerment and equity in education. At the core of her work is a belief that when students are fully supported, their potential becomes limitless.

Salim H. Williams, MPA is a higher education professional, educator, and student success advocate with extensive experience in academic advising, career development, student retention, and program leadership. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Advising, Career, and Transfer Services at Union College of Union County, New Jersey, where he leads retention initiatives, supports student success strategies, oversees New Student Orientation, analyzes student success data, and supervises Student Services staff.

Williams has built his career around helping students navigate higher education and achieve their academic and professional goals. His roles at Middlesex College and Union College of County, NJ (UCNJ) includes advising students through the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) and Project Achievement programs, developing student engagement initiatives, providing holistic and intrusive advising, supporting career exploration, and creating programs designed to improve persistence and degree completion.

David Kwabena Wilson, Ed.D., is the 10th inaugurated president of Morgan State University— Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University. For more than a decade, Dr. Wilson has not only been a transformative president at Morgan but has emerged as a leader among university presidents nationwide, as well as an effective advocate for HBCUs and the role they play in developing leaders and serving the needs of their community, state, and nation.

Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Wilson served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin Extension; vice president for University Outreach and associate provost for Auburn University; assistant and associate provost for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Camden); and director for the Office of Minority Programs at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey.

Dr. Wilson received his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in education from Tuskegee University, as well as a master’s and doctorate in education from Harvard University. He was also bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from his alma mater, Tuskegee University.

His educational philosophy is to prioritize the student experience. As a leader, he builds consensus and strongly believes in transparency of the process. Dr. Wilson aims to make Morgan a leader in producing the next wave of innovators in the U.S., further cementing its call to action of Growing the Future and Leading the World.

Laura Zottarelli, Ed.M., is a Student Services Advisor at the One Stop Student Services Center at Rutgers University–New Brunswick with six years of higher education experience. During her four years at One Stop, she has contributed to a variety of initiatives that enhance both the employee and student experience, including coordinating staff wellness programs, developing New Student Orientation presentations, and creating clear, consistent communication resources that help staff effectively support students. Laura has also served on Rutgers' Student Success Conference Committee for the past four years, helping to foster collaboration and professional development across the university community.

Passionate about accessibility, engagement, and effective communication, Laura focuses on simplifying complex processes and creating meaningful experiences for both students and colleagues. Her work is guided by a commitment to student success and continuous improvement in higher education services. In recognition of her contributions to student services and campus engagement, she was named a 2023-2024 Gold Medallion Award recipient within the Division of Enrollment Management.