Amelia Parnell

Amelia Parnell, who will assume the presidency of NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education on July 1, 2024, is an accomplished higher education executive and an internationally recognized thought leader regarding current issues and emerging trends in the field. She is a passionate advocate for higher education as a tool for personal advancement and impact, and she seeks opportunities to partner with organizations and individuals who share her sincere commitment to centering students’ needs.

As the vice president for research and policy for NASPA, Parnell leads many of the association’s scholarly and advocacy-focused activities. During her eight-year tenure in this role, she has fostered genuine partnerships with college administrators, researchers, grant makers, and other higher education professionals.

As a frequent keynote speaker at national and regional conferences, Parnell presents on topics related to student affairs, college affordability, student learning outcomes, and institutions’ use of data and analytics. Parnell holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Florida A&M University.