Stephanie Box

Stephanie Box began her higher education career in 1999 when she was hired as a graduate assistant in the Student Activities Office.  At the time, the Associate Dean of Students was responsible for the TACUSPA Fall Conference and she was asked to help with preparations.  She has been an active member of TACUSPA since then.  Currently, Stephanie is the University Housing Officer at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.  She was previously the Administrative Director of the Honors Program and Assistant Director of Student Activities.  Throughout her career, she has also worked or collaborated with student orientation, campus tours, first year programs, facilities management, community service, leadership programs, Quality Enhancement Programs (QEP), academic affairs, marketing, and more. 

She has been active in professional and community organizations. In addition to TACUSPA, she has been a member of the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (SWACUHO), Association of College Unions International (ACUI), and the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA).  Stephanie currently volunteers with the Orange Grove Youth Volleyball Club, Corpus Christi Police Athletic League, and Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT).

Stephanie received her Bachelor of Arts in History (1998) and Masters of Public Administration (2002) from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.  In 2017, Stephanie became a certified True Colors© facilitator. 

Statement of Candidacy

I am honored to be nominated for President-Elect and have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of so many friends and colleagues.  My primary goals for the association are 1) to ensure the association’s structure is conducive to meet the needs of the membership and 2) enhance resources offered to members.  The association and membership has grown extensively over the last few years and we need to regularly assess our structure and offerings so that members get maximum value for their membership.  TACUSPA is the premier association for student affairs professionals in Texas and we should earn that claim every year.

Since joining TACUSPA and the student affairs profession in 1999, this association has been my primary professional association.  Through volunteering with TACUSPA, I have met and developed relationships with many mentors and friends.  I currently serve as Director of Administration and was previously Director of Membership from 2012-2017.  Before joining the Board of Directors, I held many other volunteer positions, including Newsletter Editor, Fall Conference Committee member & conference volunteer.

As a generalist association, one of the benefits of TACUSPA is the ability to meet colleagues not only from across the state, but across functional areas.  It offers an opportunity to gain insight into the operations and opportunities offered across campus.  TACUSPA has the ability to connect student affairs professionals with other associations, trainings and conferences offered in our great state.  I will utilize my experiences to maintain TACUSPA’s reputation as the best student affairs association in Texas.

Maureen “Moe” McGuinness

I currently serve as the Dean of Students/Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of North Texas. In my role, I supervise many departments and initiatives such as Conduct, Survivor Advocate, Center for Leadership and Service, Dean of Students, Student Legal, Student Sustainability, and the Substance Use and Resource Center.  I have the distinct honor of chairing our CARE Team, our Clery team as well as serving as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

I have been active in a number of professional organizations including TACUSPA, SWACUHO, TEXDOS, NAACOP, SACSA, NASPA and NABITA. TACUSPA has been an exciting professional home for me doing presentations and creating the inaugural Midlevel Managers track in 2016 and 2017.  I served as the Chair of the Texas Dean of Students (TXDOS) organization for two years helping lead a group of fantastic individuals who on a daily basis to remove obstacles for all of our students. I was also a faculty member at the Midlevel Managers Institute for SACSA/NASPA for 2013 and 2014. 

I have presented at many local, state, regional and national conferences on issues facing our college students today from Title IX, Clery, Social Media, Disruptive Students, & CARE teams. I have even been published in the Huffington post regarding our role assisting survivors of sexual assault.  I am currently working as a Primary investigator on a grant given to UNT from the Texas Attorney General on assisting students who are victims of sexual violence and intimate partner violence.  I also serve as UNT’s representative on the Cultivating Safe College Campuses with 8 other institutions in the North Texas region.

Statement of Candidacy

I remember my first TACUSPA conference in Arlington, Texas in 1996 as if it were yesterday.  I was an inexperienced new professional who had no idea what my career in Student Affairs would hold. I am truly humbled by the nomination for TACUSA President and want to give back to an organization that helped mold my professional career.  TACUSPA has opened doors for many of us in the state and for me personally. It has connected me to one of the greatest professional groups, TXDOS, which I had the honor to lead for two years and build relationships with so many of our leaders across the state of Texas. I am committed to giving back to TACUSPA.  The organization has been such a fundamental part of my professional development and growth.

I have served a number of leadership roles throughout my life and can honestly say I have been honored to serve each one of them.  Each time I have added to the organization that I am a part of as well as learned a great deal myself to the inner operations of an organization. I am extremely dedicated to the organization and see myself fully invested in TACUSPA while serving on the Board.   If elected, I would continue to develop ideas on how we can involve Student Affairs professionals all over the state of Texas, in particular, those new to the state and profession as well as serve as an advocate for you.  I would be honored to serve on the TACUSPA Board as President.

Dr. Ashley Spicer-Runnels

Dr.  Ashley Spicer-Runnels has been a member of TACUSPA since 2014. Beginning with a conferenece presentation based on her dissertation, she has continued as an active member serving as Marketing Chair and Registration Chair for the annual conference, as well as Co-Chair for the 2016 annual conference held in Austin. Additionally, she is currently completing her three-year term as Treasurer and previously served as a member of the Student Affairs on Campus editorial board. In addition to formal positions, she has presented multiple webinars, participated as a judge for graduate case study competitions, and was also the recipient of a Biggest Buzz award in 2016. Most importantly she has served as a mentor and sponsor to many TACUSPA members by building pathways for active engagement within the association, as well as serving as a resource and advocate when needed.

She currently serves as Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Her professional experience over the last 10 years has included working in the following functional areas: Career and Testing Services, Orientation and Transition Programs, Student Conduct, Multicultural Affairs, Greek Life, Leadership Development, First-Year Experience, Family Programming, Student Success Programs, and many others.

Dr. Spicer-Runnels earned a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies from Lamar University, a Master of Business Administration from University of Houston-Victoria, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. She is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Her research interests include retention and persistence, multiracial students, student integration and engagement, and imposter syndrome.

Statement of Candidacy

I am honored to be nominated to serve as President-Elect for the TACUSPA Board of Directors. Since 2014 I have been fortunate to serve with Presidents and other Board members that have been committed to strengthening the association while remaining true to its purpose.

In keeping with that spirit, if elected, I intend to examine and strengthen the existing infrastructure to support the efficient implementation of the new strategic plan. As Treasurer I’ve gained extensive knowledge of the operational procedures of our association and as we prepare ourselves for continued growth, expanded partnerships, and enhanced professional development opportunities I believe we have a unique opportunity to leverage the expertise of our membership to strengthen our association.

If elected, I would work closely with the Board to establish systems of continuity for future leadership, as well as encourage the Board to examine and explore opportunities to enhance efficiencies in our practices. Although membership and scholarship growth remain priorities, I would encourage the Board to think creatively about ways to enhance the return for members and constituents who support our efforts.

I believe that my commitment to excellence, critical thinking skills, and commitment to inclusivity, in partnership with other members of the Board, provide me with the necessary skills to serve as President-Elect. I am committed to TACUSPA’s success and hope to continue my service in strengthening its place as the premier state association dedicated to the development, support, and promotion of the student affairs profession in the state of Texas.

Jody C. Randall

Jody Randall (she/her/hers) serves as the Director for the Office of LGBTQIA Education & Engagement at Texas Tech University. She is a thought- and practice-leader in the development of cultural competencies within higher education and non-profit sectors. Jody is a member of the Gender and Sexuality Leadership Team for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) where she serves as the Public Policy Liaison. She serves as the Board President of the Jim Collins Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports trans health through providing financial assistance towards gender affirming surgeries for transgender people who need them, and member of the Advisory Board for the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit. Previously, Jody served as Board Chair of the Equality Federation Education Fund, Heartland CARES, Inc., and Kentucky Fairness Alliance. She is the recipient of a Masters of Science in Human Development and Leadership from Murray State University in Murray, Ky. Jody is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations through the Peabody College at Vanderbilt University.

Statement of Candidacy

Throughout my career in higher education and nonprofit spaces, I have served in a variety of leadership roles similar in scope to that of the TACUSPA Director of Administration. Documents such as by-laws and operations manuals must be maintained to accurately reflect mission, vision, and operations of the organization. As members of TACUSPA, our day-to-day practice and scholarship for the success of our students is at its core a values-based way of life. I bring real-world experience and a personable approach to my work. I ask for your support to serve our Association as Director of Administration.

Staphany C. López-Coronado

Staphany López-Coronado serves as Assistant Director for the Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement. In this role she coordinates the Connect Mentorship Program for incoming students of color, co-instructs Human Rights 1101: Foundations of Community, Diversity, and Inclusion, develops and facilitates trainings on diversity education, and coordinates assessment efforts for the office. Additionally, she coordinates the recruitment, selection, and supervision of 30 upper class students who serve as mentors in the Connect Mentorship Program.

Staphany holds a master’s of Student Affairs in Higher Education degree from Texas State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Her background and work focuses on serving and advocating for underrepresented communities. Staphany has served the University of North Texas’ Office of Outreach as a Recruiting Specialist at the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas and coordinated the Underrepresented Student Advisory Council in the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion at Texas State. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Higher Education at the University of North Texas.

Additionally, as President for the Dallas Fort Worth Alumnae Association of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.  Staphany worked closely with the Vice President of Membership to create a plan in increase membership by 30%. Together, they developed a marketing plan strategically targeting undergraduate entities and young alumnae. By the end of the year, the 30% goal was met and there was increased representation from five new entities.

Statement of Candidacy

My goals as Director of Membership would be the following:

Develop an annual goal percentage increase for the membership drive. To accomplish this I would work with the Director of Marketing to develop a strategic social media and marketing campaign. The social media graphics can be sent via the TACUSPA newsletter to encourage our current membership to also recruit new members. Additionally, I would identify the institutions where we have gaps in membership and identify potential new members by utilizing the board’s network.

Increase student memberships. I would work with the Director of Education and Professional Development to ensure our scholarship and fellowships information are being received by every institution with graduate programs in related fields. This professional development opportunity would be great way to engage our graduate students early with the hopes of retaining them as members for the future.

Recruit and actively engage volunteers and membership. I would work with the Board to identify opportunities for committees and volunteers early on. My goal is to ensure that members to seek to stay engaged outside of the annual conference have an avenue to do so.

Identify ongoing membership benefits. I would work with the Director of Marketing to utilize our social media platforms to share what select members have gained as a marketing tool. Additionally, I would work with the Director of Education and Professional Development and Director of Research to develop a menu of yearlong professional development opportunities including webinars, journal deadlines, and grant opportunities.

Dr. Misty Smethers  

I earned my doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of North Texas, my Master of Arts in Education degree in Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University.

I have worked professionally in the field of higher education for over 15 years. Previous experience includes the areas of Student Development, Judicial Affairs, New Student Orientation, Student Union Management, Admissions and Recruitment, Student Organizations and Leadership, Greek Life, and Events and Programs.

I lead the Office of Academic Services for the School of Public Health, where I work with a dedicated and experienced team of higher education and public health professionals. My main responsibilities include the success and retention of our students; advising our graduate certificate in public health, professional option and non-degree seeking students; serving as a CARE team representative; teaching professional and academic development sessions; managing facilitation of the MPH practice experience; developing and advising school-level policies and procedures; and overseeing accreditation compliance and reporting.

My research has focused mainly on workplace supportiveness, family obligations and the field of student affairs. My main role is to serve as a practitioner in higher education and to foster student success. I am passionate about helping students succeed professionally and academically, by serving as an advocate for student needs while encouraging quality and achievement.

My faculty profile can be found here: https://www.unthsc.edu/school-of-public-health/dr-misty-smethers/

Statement of Candidacy

My enthusiasm and experience in the field of higher education (undergraduate and graduate school experiences), organizational skills, experiences planning various local and national conferences (TACUSPA, SACSA, and ASPPH), and my desire to engage others is what drives me to serve in this role. Serving as the Director of Membership would allow me to recruit colleagues, interact with our TACUSPA membership, and provide a welcoming environment as they seek out a professional organization to call home.

Caryn Hawkins

My name is Caryn Hawkins, and I have been a member of TACUSPA since 2012.  Since attending my first TACUSPA conference, I knew I wanted to make TACUSPA my “home” for professional development.  In 2014, while in graduate school, I participated in the Case Study competition.  This experience was rewarding because of the people I got to know and work alongside with as we presented and defended our solution to the case study.  Eventually, I broadened my service in TACUSPA by volunteering for a conference.  This experience led to serving on several committees in various capacities: Conference Planning Team, Awards and Recognition Committee, Co-Chair of the Marketing and Technology Committee, and Facilitator/Co-Facilitator for the Communities of Practice.  Currently, I serve on TACUSPA’s Board of Directors as Director for Technology. As Director for Technology, I oversee platform improvements, migrate data, and research technology to assist all roles within the Board of Directors. 

My career in higher education spans fifteen years, and I currently serve as the Assistant Director of Academic Advising at Blinn College. In my role, I introduce and support new initiatives and programs for the Academic Advising Office, supervise the Testing Center by serving as Chief Examiner for all assessments offered on the Bryan Campus, and serve as Chair on the Executive Council of the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT).  I earned the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of North Texas and obtained the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Sam Houston State University.

Statement of Candidacy

I am honored to be nominated for a second term for the Director for Technology position for TACUSPA.   TACUSPA is an association I firmly support because of its commitment to furthering the field of higher education. The Director for Technology’s role is designed to support each entity within the organization using technology.  If I am elected to serve, I will continue to identify technological platforms and resources that will benefit TACUSPA by supporting communication between each member with the use of technology.

I would be honored to receive your support for the Director for Technology position.  I believe that my experience as the 2017-2019 Director for Technology has equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to fill this role for a second term.