Program Committee
The Program Committee oversees the peer-reviewed portion of the annual conference, managing the Call for Proposals, coordinating peer reviews, ensuring placement of session chairs and discussants, and arranging submissions for the program.
Written by Tonisha B. Lane and Marissa Vasquez, 2025 Program Committee Co-Chairs
Members are most familiar with the ASHE Program Committee as it has existed since the association’s formation. However, as the conference continues to grow both in size and complexity, we are grateful to expand leadership opportunities and deepen our collective work through the Conference Committee. We are grateful to our colleagues on the Local and Community Engagement Committee’s attention to the rich history and traditions of activism in Denver, and we hope this inspires scholars as they submit their scholarship for this year’s conference. We also amplify the Attendee Engagement Committee’s unpacking of this year’s theme and how it reflects goals for member engagement. We hope the proposal process and our convening in Denver exudes a deep commitment to care and creative expression through scholarly activity.
The 50th anniversary of ASHE seeks to bring together scholars, activists, artists, and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and innovative approaches to justice. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s profound words, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice," the conference theme underscores the enduring struggle for equity and the role of creative and scholarly efforts in bending that arc towards justice. In line with this year's conference theme, "The Bend in the Arc: Activist Praxis and Justice through Scholarly Creative Expression," we seek proposals that explore the intersection of activism, scholarship, and creative expression. Together, we will celebrate the resilience and creativity of those who bend the arc of history towards justice.
While connection to the theme is not a criteria for proposal evaluation or selection (please refer to the review criteria in this document by the proposal type for more information), we encourage ASHE members to consider the guiding principles of this year’s theme and integrate them into their proposals.
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Activist Scholarship: Examining how academic research can inform and support social justice movements.
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Creative Resistance: Showcasing artistic expressions that challenge oppression and inspire action.
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Community Engagement: Exploring collaborative efforts between scholars, activists, and communities to create lasting change.
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Intersectional Justice: Addressing the interconnectedness of race, ethnicity, tribal/Indigenous affiliation, national origin, citizenship status, class, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion and the intersections across these identity markers in the fight for equality.
Note: Connection to the theme is not a criterion for evaluation for any proposals and is not part of the review criteria. Please refer to the review criteria in the Call for Proposals document by the proposal type for more information.
Program Committee
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Crystal E. Garcia
Associate Professor University of Nebraska-LincolnProgram Committee Co-Chair -
Demetri L Morgan
Associate Professor of Education University of MichiganProgram Committee Co-Chair -
Alicia Castillo Shrestha
Associate Director of Conference and Events Association for the Study of Higher EducationStaff Partner -
Ali Watts
Assistant Professor Bowling Green State UniversityAdministrators and Staff Section Co-Chair -
Gordon PalmerAssitant Professor University of Illinois - ChicagoEcosystems and Community Partnerships Section Co-Chair
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Kamia Felise SlaughterAssistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law Alabama State UniversityEcosystems and Community Partnerships Section Co-Chair
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Christopher BroadhurstAssociate Professor University of Louisiana at LafayetteFaculty Section Co-Chair
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Musbah ShaheenAssistant Professor University of Massachusetts at AmherstGraduate and Professional Education
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Joshua WallaceAssistant Professor University of LouisvilleGraduate and Professional Education
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Jarett D. Haley
Assistant Professor University of DelawareGraduate & Professional Students and Postdoctoral Scholars -
Jonathan J Okstad
Manager of Research Administration, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern UniversityGraduate & Professional Students and Postdoctoral Scholars -
Danielle K. MolinaProgram Coordinator/Associate Professor of Student Affairs & Higher Education Mississippi State UniversityInterdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research
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Lisa UnangstAssistant Professor Empire State UniversityInternational Higher Education Section Co-Chair
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Hoyun Kim
Ph.D. Candidate University of California, BerkeleyLeadership in Higher Education Section Co-Chair -
Stephanie Aguilar-Smith
Assistant Professor University of GeorgiaOrganization & Administration Section Co-Chair -
Karley A. RiffeAssistant Professor University of CincinnatiOrganization & Administration Section Co-Chair
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Ashton Ryan CooperAssistant Professor University of CincinnatiPhilosophy, Theory, and Foundations Section Co-Chair
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Matthew J. Smith
Lecturer Valdosta State UniversityPhilosophy, Theory, and Foundations Section Co-Chair -
Daniel CorralAssistant Professor University of TorontoPolicy, Finance, & Economics Section Co-Chair
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Paul G. Rubin
Assistant Professor University of UtahPolicy, Finance, & Economics Section Co-Chair -
Peggy Kerr
Assistant Professor Gwynedd Mercy UniversityTeaching & Learning Section Co-Chair -
Benjamin S. SelznickAssociate Professor James Madison UniversityTechnology Section Co-Chair
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Dre'Sha SingletonAssistant Director North Carolina State UniversityTeaching & Learning Section Co-Chair
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Daniel KlasikAssociate Professor University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUndergraduate Students: Access Section Co-Chair
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Zyrashae Smith-OnyewuPostdoctoral Researcher University of FloridaUndergraduate Students: Access Section Co-Chair
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Beth E. W. Nahlik
PhD Candidate Kent State UniversityUndergraduate Student: Context Section Co-Chair -
Lydia Ross
Assistant Professor Arizona State UniversityUndergraduate Students: Contexts Section Co-Chair -
Charisse Staine
Grand Canyon University Adjunct Professor Grand Canyon UniversityUndergraduate Students: Contexts Section Co-Chair -
Danielle SusiAssistant Dean, College Access & Community Engagement University of UtahUndergraduate Students: Contexts Section Co-Chair
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Ebelia HernandezAssociate Professor Rutgers UniversityUndergraduate Students: Developmental Theory Section Co-Chair
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Roberto Carlos Orozco
Assistant Professor University of Minnesota Twin CitiesUndergraduate Students: Developmental Theory Section Co-Chair -
Shonda GowardAssociate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Advising and Success California State UniversityUndergraduate Students: Persistence, Resilience, Retention
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Chandler HawkinsVisiting Assistant Professor Purdue UniversityUndergraduate Students: Persistence, Resilience, & Retention Section Co-Chair
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Jarrod Elliott DrueryAssistant Professor University of CincinnatiUndergraduate Students: Outcomes Section Co-Chair
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Amanda Simpfenderfer
Assistant Professor for Research Design, Methods, and Analysis William & MaryUndergraduate Students: Outcomes Section Co-Chair -
Erin Doran
Associate Professor The University of Texas at El PasoCAHEP Pre-Conference Chair -
Ángel de Jesus GonzálezAssistant Professor California State University, FresnoCEP Pre-Conference Co-Chair
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Mary Ann Bodine Al-Sharif
Ph.D. Adult & Higher Education Associate Professor of Higher Education The University of Alabama at BirminghamCIHE Pre-Conference Co-Chair -
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Eddy Conroy
Senior Director, Communications National College Attainment NetworkCPPHE Pre-Conference Chair
