Region IV-W

Chester "Chet" Peters from Kansas State University carved the Region IV-West gavel. Chet retired from Kansas State in 1985 as the Vice President for Student Affairs after 38 years of service to students on that campus. He was the first Region IV-West Vice President, 1967 - 1968. He also served as the President of NASPA from 1971 - 1972.

Like his passion for creating a better environment for students at K-State, Chet also had a passion for wood carving. Like the students with whom he worked, each piece of wood with which he worked was unique. His wood sculptures and carvings are on display throughout the Kansas State campus.

Region IV-West is honored to have this uniquely carved gavel as the "official" gavel for each regional leader to cherish for their two-year term. For many years, Chet also carved a unique gavel for each incoming NASPA President from a piece of wood special to that President.

Dr. Peters will be remembered for being student-centered, compassionate, moral and highly respected. Students and staff members were moved by his warmth, gentle humor and caring attitude. His ability to extend an understanding of the real meaning of goodness as a human quality is his legacy to learning.

Chet Peters will long be remembered as the "father" of Region IV-West, and we have this gavel as constant appreciation of the leadership that he gave to NASPA.

Registration for the 2025 Regional Conference hosted at Washington University in St. Louis is now open!

Please click here to register

Have you ever had that moment—the one where everything clicks and you remember exactly why you do this work? That fire, that drive, that why—it's at the heart of this year’s theme: Gateway to Passion, Values, & Connections in Student Affairs: Discovering Your Why. Led by our dynamic Program Chair Jerri Arnold Cook and Co-Chair Tanya Montgomery, this year’s regional conference is all about reconnecting with what fuels us in student affairs—our purpose, our people, and the powerful impact we create every day.

Now, we want YOU to bring that energy to life.

We’re officially opening our Call for Programs and inviting passionate professionals like you to submit proposals that dig deep into:

• The why behind your work 
• Aligning purpose with practice 
• Values-driven leadership 
• Building meaningful connections in the field 

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a rising star, your voice and experiences matter. Share your stories, spark ideas, and inspire your colleagues across the profession!

Submit your proposal today and be a part of something purposeful, powerful, and truly unforgettable.

Let’s remind ourselves—and each other—why we do what we do. 

Deadline to submit: Sunday, May 25, 2025, Submission Portal

Want to support in another meaningful way?
If you're someone who loves learning from others and has an eye for great content, we’d love to have you as a Program Proposal Reviewer! It’s a great way to contribute to the profession, stay inspired, and help shape a dynamic and engaging conference experience.   

Past & Future Conference Locations

The Regional SERVE (Supporting, Expanding, and Recruiting Volunteer Excellence) Program is mirrored from the NASPA National SERVE Academy. It is our role as an Association to help our members feel a connection to the region and Association, a sense of belonging, and purpose for your membership. This Region IV-West SERVE Program engages NASPA Region IV-West members at all levels (graduate students, new professionals, mid-level professionals, senior-level professionals, and faculty members) in a cohort experience of learning about NASPA and Region IV-West, connecting with a seasoned NASPA Region IV-West volunteer leader as a mentor, and developing and implementing a cohort project that will give back to the Region in support of a strategic priority. The Region IV-West SERVE participants will meet monthly via Zoom from December through September to learn more about NASPA and Region IV-West and then design & implement a project as a cohort to better NASPA Region IV-West.

For questions or more information, please contact Dr. Lori Lander, Region IV-West Regional Director, at llander@uark.edu

2024-2025 SERVE Academy Cohort

Cara Baker, Western Center Director at Highland Community College. Cara will be mentored by Christopher Miofsky, Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life at the University of Denver

Jarrick Brown, Director of Student Life & Community at the University of Colorado-Denver. Jarrick will be mentored by Dr. Sara Mata, Executive Director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives/Assistant Teaching Professor of Intervention Services & Leadership in Education at Wichita State University.

Veronica Guzman, Assistant Director of Admissions at Wayne State College. Veronica will be mentored by Dr. Kimberly Blea, Vice President for Student Affairs at New Mexico Highlands University.

Dakota La Gore, Financial Aid Counselor at the University of Kansas. Dakota will be mentored by Amy Pennington, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students & Title IX at Arkansas Tech University

Israel Lovins, Director of Student Life at Highland Community College. Israel will be mentored by Ryan Gove, Director of Student Life at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Dr. Jacob Mendez, Assistant Dean of Student Success at Wichita State University. Dr. Mendez will be mentored by David Adams, Vice President for Student Affairs at Independence Community College

Dr. Becky Meidinger, Senior Institutional Researcher at Adams State University. Dr. Meidinger will be mentored by Alyssa Wendel, Director of Student Affairs at Kansas State University Salina

Erica Meneses-Corona, Assistant Director of Retention, Persistence, & Multicultural Engagement at Fort Hays State University. Erica will be mentored by Bobbi Muehlenkamp, Director of Student Success & Retention, at Mid-Plains Community College

Brenda Peters, Retention Specialist at Mid-Plains Community College. Brenda will be mentored by Dr. Veronica Riepe, Director of Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Carmelita Sanchez, Care Support Manager at New Mexico Highlands University. Carmelita will be mentored by Dr. Teresa Clounch, Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students at Washburn University.

Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte, Assistant Director of Student Success at Wichita State University. Eiran will be mentored by Joshua Busby, Dean of Students at Langston University.

Dr. Tiffany Schmidtberger-Okolo, Director of Residence & Student Life at Colby Community College. Dr. Schmidtberger-Okolo will be mentored by Dr. Cassie Gerhardt, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of North Dakota.

Demi Spencer, Office Manager for University Recreation & Wellness at the University of Arkansas. Demi will be mentored by Dr. Aubrey Holt, Director of Assessment/Visiting Lecturer for Student Affairs Administration at Arkansas Tech University.

Brandi Stone, Director of African American Student Services at the University of New Mexico. Brandi will be mentored by Dr. Heidi Hoskinson, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Bethel College.

Yoke Tassent, Resident Director at the University of Denver. Yoke will be mentored by Todd Wells, Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Student Life at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Dr. Justin White, Vice President for Student Affairs & Strategic Initiatives at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. Dr. White will be mentored by Dr. Mary Skinner, Director of Student Involvement & Leadership at the University of Arkansas.

Amanda Williams, Professional Academic Advisor at South Dakota State University. Amanda will be mentored by Andrew Brown, Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

View Past SERVE Cohorts