Conference Committee Leadership Team
The Conference Committee serves as the heart of our member-led planning, ensuring the Annual Conference remains a space shaped by and for our community. This committee acts as the essential link between our Program Committee’s scholarly vision, our Local and Community Engagement Committee’s place-based relationships, and the Attendee Engagement’s wellness and networking initiatives. By unifying these member-driven efforts, the committee ensures your experience—from the research you share to the community connections you build—is purposeful and cohesive. Their work bridges the diverse aspects of our gathering to create an inclusive environment where every member can thrive.
Please e-mail conference@ashe.ws with any conference questions and the ASHE Staff will respond or direct your e-mail to the appropriate Leadership Volunteer.
The Conference Committee consists of a Chair and Co-Chairs of the following in-group committees: Attendee Engagement, Local and Community Engagement, and Program Committee. Current members of these roles are listed after the following committee information. The ASHE Associate Director for Conference and Events serves as the Staff Partner.
Conference Committee Leadership Team
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Nichole M. Garcia
Associate Professor of Higher Education Rutgers University (801)867-5467Conference Committee Chair -
Alicia Castillo Shrestha
Associate Director of Conference and Events Association for the Study of Higher Education (202)925-5935Staff Partner -
LaShawn Faith Washington
Assistant Professor The University of Texas at Austin (972)809-3213Attendee Engagement Committee Co-Chair -
Theresa Jean Ambo
Associate Professor University of California, Los AngelesLocal and Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair -
Stephen Santa-Ramirez
Associate Professor of Higher Education University at Buffalo (716)645-5236Local and Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair -
Crystal E. Garcia
Associate Professor University of Nebraska-Lincoln (214)868-8038Program Committee Co-Chair -
Demetri L Morgan
Associate Professor of Education University of Michigan (561)271-9930Program Committee Co-Chair
Attendee Engagement Committee
The Attendee Engagement Committee will develop resources and opportunities for conference attendees to more fully engage with the conference and each other, and serve as ambassadors of the Association for the continuum of first-time attendees to long-time returners to the annual conference.
Learn more about the Attendee Engagement Committee
Local and Community Engagement Committee
The Local and Community Engagement Committee (LCEC) will guide ASHE in centering Indigeneity, space, place, and people by engaging with local Indigenous communities, local BIPOC communities, and higher education institutions in the location of the annual conference and by developing resources and opportunities for conference attendees to more fully engage with the conference location.
Learn more about the Local and Community Engagement Committee
Program Committee
The Program Committee will be responsible for crafting the content for the peer-reviewed portion of the program for the annual conference by soliciting proposal submissions through the Call for Proposals and facilitating the peer review process including soliciting and selecting volunteers, and reviewing, and selecting proposals for the Annual Conference.