Dr. Les Cook is a seasoned higher education leader with nearly four decades of experience advancing student success, institutional strategy, and transformational leadership. As Chancellor of Montana Technological University, he led a bold and inclusive agenda that resulted in record enrollment growth, the launch of new Ph.D. and STEM degree programs, the creation of workforce-aligned micro-credentials, and the highest state appropriation for infrastructure in the university’s history—all while securing unprecedented levels of philanthropic support.

Deeply grounded in student affairs, Les has provided leadership in counseling, student development, student success, and athletics, with a long-standing commitment to student health and well-being. His leadership is student-centered, purpose-driven, and focused on creating inclusive environments where every student can thrive.

Prior to Montana Tech, he served in senior leadership roles at Michigan Technological University, including Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice President for Strategic University Partnerships. Nationally, Les has held leadership positions with NASPA, NODA, the NAIA Frontier Athletic Conference and is chair-elect of the LeaderShape Institute Board of Trustees.

A lifelong learner and advocate, Les maintains an active lifestyle that reflects his values. He is deeply committed to mindfulness practice, wellness research, and the promotion of whole-being well-being initiatives—both within and beyond higher education. Les brings a student-centered, purpose-driven approach to every initiative—believing deeply in the transformative power of higher education and the importance of meeting students where they are. He strives to lead with optimism, authenticity, and intentional care.

Dr. Mary Jo Gonzales has over 20 years of progressively responsible senior level student affairs roles and professional responsibilities in both campus-based and multi-campus system structures. She has established successful partnerships and collaborations between critical stakeholders and constituencies which were pivotal to achieving institutional and organizational goals.

Dr. Gonzales is a respected and sought-after leader, having been selected and trusted by system and organizational leadership to lead numerous campus-based, state-wide, regional, and national student success initiatives. She was also appointed to lead statewide and systemwide equity and social justice efforts in several states.

Using research based and learning focused assessment, Gonzales has also designed and implemented national training and professional development models for emerging, established, and transitioning leaders. Highly effective in strategic and proactive engagement of vastly different organizational areas, she coaches leaders and teams through organizational complexities to broaden institutional capacity and widen the organizational bench.

Dr. Gonzales has secured and managed state, federal, grant, auxiliary, revenue, development, and student fee funds in excess of $100M and held institutional responsibility for a variety of student facing campus facilities and large-scale human resources operations.

Jeff Gray has over 40 years of progressively responsible experience in secondary and higher education, 27 of which were served as a Senior Vice President of Student Affairs, providing creative, current, sustained and stable leadership during a time of great change and challenge in higher education and the field of college student personnel work. As a Senior Student Affairs Officer, was responsible for leadership, management and supervision of all areas of Student Affairs, serving a university population of approximately 10,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students on three campuses, with a residential population of 4,900. Multi-campus supervisory responsibilities included over 15 departments, 250 professional and support staff, 250 contract employees and 200+ student employees, with budgetary responsibilities for $80M+ in operating budgets, and $85M+ in revenue budgets.

Dr. Virginia Hardy is a distinguished leader, educator, and advocate with a profound commitment to fostering inclusion, excellence, and community well-being. She brings decades of experience in higher education and leadership, having served in various transformative roles that underscore her dedication to creating equitable and thriving environments.

Dr. Hardy earned her PhD in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University, solidifying her expertise in student development, mental health, and organizational leadership. She received her undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and masters from East Carolina University. Over the course of her career, she has been recognized for her innovative approaches to advancing leadership development, enhancing student experience, providing innovative solutions, managing crises, promoting equity and inclusion, as well as her ability to build bridges between diverse groups, stakeholders and communities.

Her professional journey includes serving as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at East Carolina University (ECU), where she led initiatives to enhance student engagement, promote holistic well-being, and cultivate a campus culture of belonging. In this role, Dr. Hardy championed strategic efforts to address the evolving needs of students while strengthening partnerships across the university and surrounding communities. She retired from ECU in January 2023 after almost 30 years in higher education.

Patrick Love‘s career has spanned executive managerial and faculty positions in student affairs and academic affairs, having been a tenured professor, a high-level academic administrator (Associate Provost and Graduate Program Director), and a high-level student affairs administrator (VPSA at two different institutions). As a leader in and out of the classroom, he has forged his own path often defying conventional wisdom and many of the innovations that he created or inspired are still in place, including some after many years. Evidence of his success and impact are apparent throughout his career. He is the author of five books (including Rethinking Student Affairs Practice and Leadership and Management Issues for the New Century), and scores of refereed articles and chapters.

His awards are numerous, including the Robert H. Shaffer Distinguished Alumni Award, Pillar of the Profession, Excellence in Institutional Change, Outstanding Senior Level Professional, Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs through Teaching, and Cultural Diversity Award. Patrick earned his doctorate in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University and his master’s in Counseling Psychology and Student Development from The University at Albany.

Marybeth Murphy has held leadership roles at four colleges and universities, both public and private, including NYU, Baruch College, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Stevens Institute of Technology. She has expertise in enrollment management and student affairs with a strong passion for student and staff well-being and is committed to a culture of reinvention in higher education.

Lou Stark served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Case Western Reserve University, 2013-2023, Vice President for Student Affairs at Coe College, 1997-2013, and Vice President for Student Life at Central College from 1993-1997. When he left Case Western Reserve University, he was appointed Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus. He was the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Tulane University, as well as Associate Dean of Students at Washington University in St. Louis. As a new professional, Mr. Stark served in various positions that provided a breadth of experience serving college students within residence life, Greek life, student conduct, academic advising and admission, and financial aid. He has served as a consultant to colleges and universities evaluating their programs and has done reaccreditation work.

Mr. Stark has served in local, regional and national organizations. He has served as a past president and board member of the Iowa Student Personnel Association and has been active in NASPA. He has served as Chair of the Delegates Committee for the University Athletic Association and was a member of the NCAA Division III Management Council. While in that role, he served on the President’s Council/Management Council Joint Legislative Steering Committee, the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, the Convention Planning Subcommittee and the NCAA/NASPA Alcohol and other Drugs Steering Committee. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia and served as a member of the City Council in Marion, Iowa.

Marc Wais, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus, served as NYU’s chief student affairs officer for 18+ years. Under his leadership, NYU earned 39 NASPA Excellence Awards — recognizing excellence and innovation in student affairs programs and initiatives.

Marc has presented on various student life issues nationally and internationally, been published in newspapers and magazines, served on the Editorial Board of the NASPA Journal, co-written a book chapter in Exceptional Senior Student Affairs Administrators Leadership, garnered six major grants totaling more than $1 million dollars, been active in professional associations and higher educations boards (NASPA, College For Every Student, Phi Delta Kappa), and served in various community service initiatives (United Way, Ronald McDonald House, Boy’s Club of America). He is a 2016 recipient of the NASPA Pillar of the Profession Award.

Prior to NYU, Marc served for eight years as Dean of Students, Resident Fellow, and University Fellow at Stanford University. He received his doctorate in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University.