Meet the Pillars: Angela Batista and Paul Bennion
Supporting the Profession
May 28, 2020
Each year, the NASPA Foundation recognizes a series of distinguished individuals who have served as leaders, teachers, and scholars in student affairs and higher education. The Pillar of the Profession Award honors members of the profession who have provided significant service to NASPA through regional and/or national leadership role, created a lasting impact on the institutions and organizations at which they have worked, leaving a legacy of extraordinary service recognized by a cross-section of stakeholders, and demonstrated sustained, lifetime professional distinction in the field of student affairs and/or higher education. Each individual is nominated and supported for designation as a Pillar by colleagues, students, friends, or others who find them deserving of this honor.
Angela Batista
Vice President of Student Affairs and Institutional Diversity, Champlain College
“We cannot be more proud of her accomplishments and unwavering support for NASPA and our profession. She is a once in life-time individual. When we look back, and we will say, it was my honor to have known her and had an opportunity to work with or serve under her leadership.”
– Terry C. Mena, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Lamar University
Paul Bennion
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, The College of Idaho
"As a former Regional Director that served with Paul, I can honestly say that it is a joy to have served with him then and now as co‐chairs for the SSAO Institute upcoming in Portland and to serve beside him with the NASPA Foundation Board as well. He has always been insightful, thoughtful, caring, and most of all, passionate regarding his staff and especially about student success."
– Henry Gee, Vice President, Student Services at Rio Hondo College and Class of 2004 Pillar of the Profession
If selected as a Pillar, the nominator and an assigned Foundation Board member will raise $3,500 in the name of the individual being nominated to further research and scholarship in student affairs. If you are in a position to consider, a gift to the NASPA Foundation in honor of a 2020 Pillar of the Profession will empower new outreach and expanded opportunities to support the field as we navigate unprecedented times in higher ed.