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About Us

Iowa Student Personnel Association

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Iowa Student Personnel Association provides high-quality and affordable professional development while seeking opportunities to cultivate leadership, advocacy, and meaningful relationships for higher education professionals throughout the state of Iowa. 

Equity & Inclusion Statement

Equity & Inclusion Statement

Iowa Student Personnel Association (ISPA) affirms and supports the unique identities in our community by striving for social justice and practicing inclusive engagement.

ISPA values and appreciates diversity by providing opportunities to engage in continued conversations and participate in meaningful professional development. ISPA celebrates all facets brought to our community by striving to work inclusively and welcome all voices.

History

History

The Iowa Student Personnel Association (ISPA) we know today began as a series of meetings between Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) at Iowa State University (ISU), the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and the University of Iowa (UI) in July 1969. A close group of SSAOs working at each institution met monthly in a central location (usually Toledo, Iowa) to exchange information. The SSAOs in attendance sometimes dedicated meetings to an area reporting to all of them, and invited directors from those areas to the meetings to join the conversation.

The group saw much success from these meetings. Several months in, the group decided to invite both private and smaller schools to attend the monthly meetings. Wartburg College, Simpson College, ISU, UNI, UI, Luther College, Cornell College, Morningside College, and Grinnell College were among the first schools to attend the regular meetings. Increasing group membership representative of all higher education experience levels prompted the group to begin meeting once a year instead of monthly. This annual meeting is recognized today as ISPA's annual conference. The original annual conferences were held each fall at ISU. ISPA's annual conference is still held every fall, and have been hosted by institutions across the state of Iowa. Previous hosting institutions include Grinnell College, St. Ambrose University, and ISU.    

ISPA credits much of its success to its passion for helping higher education professionals connect through professional development opportunities, share ideas, and work together to further higher education in the state of Iowa. ISPA began and remains NASPA and ACPA neutral. All national groups are welcome to be a part of ISPA. 

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Site background image by photographer Carl Wycoff https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlwwycoff/

ISPA Presidents

The following individuals previously served as Presidents of ISPA. 

ISPA Presidents

Jerry Parker

Drake University

2019–2020

Louise Paskey

Briar Cliff University

2015–2016

Erin Swancutt

Simpson College

2011–2012

Karla Carney Hall

Iowa State University

2007–2008

Renee Romano

University of Northern Iowa

2003–2004

Louis W. Stark

Coe College

1999–2000

Roger Hadley

Waldorf College

1995–1996

Carolyn Rants

Morningside College

1991–1992

Bill Hinga

Central College

1987–1988

Jim Thorius

Iowa State University

1983–1984

Daniel Carey

Morningside College

1979–1980

Sarah Moschenross

Grinell College

2018–2019

Daryl Grove

Upper Iowa University

2014–2015

Mandi McReynolds

Coe College

2010–2011

Sentwali Bakari

Drake University

2006–2007

Deb Liddell

University of Iowa

2002–2003

Kathleen MacKay

Iowa State University

1998–1999

Jerry Price

Drake University

1994–1995

Sally Walker

Iowa State University

1990–1991

Jim Petty

Clarke College

1986–1987

Charles Lang

Loras College

1982–1983

Collen Jones

University of Iowa

1978–1979

Quinneka Lee

Wayne State College

2017–2018

Kodee Wright

Drake University

2013–2014

Travis Greene

Grinnell College

2009–2010

Pete Englin

Iowa State University

2005–2006

Mary Johnson

Loras College

2001–2002

Ann Highum

Luther College

1997–1998

Stan Kabat

St. Ambrose University

1993–1994

Dan Robinson

Iowa State University

1989–1990

Barbara Handcock-Snyder

Iowa State University

1985–1986

Jon Dalton

Iowa State University

1981–1982

Gary Valen

Simpson College

1977–1978

Tom Hicks

Coe College

2016–2017

Tony Tyler

Drake University

2012–2013

Lynn Lundy Evans

Iowa State University

2008–2009

Jane DeHaven

Grand View College

2004–2005

Alexander "Lex" Smith

Wartburg College

2000–2001

Donna Vinton

University of Northern Iowa

1996–1997

Sharon Dendurent

Cornell College

1992–1993

Carol Nemitz

Iowa Wesleyan College

1988–1989

Lynnea Halberg

University of Iowa

1984–1985

Janet Carl

Grinnell College

1980–1981

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