Juan Guardia, vice president for student affairs at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, has been elected as the Region III Director for NASPA – the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. As the regional director, Guardia will play a crucial role in shaping the future of student affairs across Region III, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
In this leadership role, he will represent the Association at various regional and national meetings. He will also be responsible for coordinating regional activities, conducting events at the NASPA Annual Conference, and strengthening membership throughout the region. Dr. Guardia will begin his term as Regional Director-Elect next month for the 2025-2026 term and will serve as the Region III Director from 2026 to 2028.
NASPA’s mission is to support student affairs professionals in their efforts to advance student learning, development, and success. Dr. Guardia will also serve on the board of directors, ensuring that the voices and needs of the region’s institutions are heard at the national level.
“I’m honored to have been elected by my peers and fellow student affairs colleagues to serve as the Region III director. I look forward to collaborating with them to strengthen our work in student affairs and enhance the support for - and success of - our students across the region,” said Guardia. “The NASPA network is all about people who are shaping the future generation of leaders, and we have a strong network of professionals that I encourage those working in student affairs to tap into.”
His appointment marks an exciting time for NASPA as it bolsters its presence and impact, fostering collaboration and growth within higher education and student affairs. Guardia is focused on efforts to support student affairs professionals through collaborative partnerships, increasing member engagement, applying innovative ways and creative solutions to recruitment, and members' personal and professional development.
Dr. Guardia is a seasoned scholar-practitioner with over 25 years of experience in higher education and student affairs. Throughout his career, he has held various administrative roles, including assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students at the University of Cincinnati. His leadership at Texas A&M University-San Antonio is focused on promoting student development, learning, and success, ensuring that student experiences align with the Division of Student Affairs' mission and vision.