Region VI
Region VI
Grounded in our commitment to diversity, inclusion, scholarship, and leadership, our mission is to provide innovative professional development opportunities that connect, engage, and inspire current and aspiring student affairs educators to serve, respond to, and advocate for students in Aotearoa (New Zealand), Arizona, Australia, California, China, Guahan (Guam), Hawai'i, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
When you give to the NASPA Foundation, you make a difference. Through a tax-deductible contribution to the NASPA Foundation, you invest in innovative research. You provide scholarships for NASPA members of all levels. You advance excellence in our field. You shape the future of the student affairs profession!
About
Values: Respect. Teamwork. Integrity.
Territory
Region VI encompasses Aotearoa (New Zealand), Arizona, Australia, California, China, Guahan (Guam), Hawai'i, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The History of NASPA Region VI
Regional Vice President/Regional Director History
Western Regional Conference History
History of Region VI Awardees 1997-present
Original Western Regional Conference Agreement (February 1989)
Careers in Student Affairs Month panels
State Chapters- Region VI
Region VI State Chapters
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Get Involved
NASPA Regions are run and supported entirely by the continued hard work and contributions of our volunteers. Region VI offers numerous volunteer positions and opportunities for our members to become involved. Whether it’s taking on a leadership role or helping out at a drive-in, there’s something for everyone.
Are you interested in becoming more involved in NASPA?
- Visit Volunteer Central to see all positions posting locally, regionally and nationally
KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITIES
Welcome to the Region VI Knowledge Communities (KCs), your Gateway to the Profession and Connection to the Association. As the slogan suggests, the KCs are the entry point to NASPA for graduate students or professionals wanting to get involved and take on a leadership role. KC Representatives are also included in the region's KC advisory board to give a collective voice of the association.
There are currently 44 KCs ranging in topics and specific issues currently facing our field. These active communities help to identify and share emerging knowledge and best practices. Each KC can have up to two regional representatives and as many sub-committee representatives as necessary. Region VI consists of Aotearoa (New Zealand), Arizona, Australia, California, China (Hong Kong), Guahan (Guam), Hawai'i, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Within the Region VI KCs there are a number of ways to get involved:
- You can be a Regional Representative for one of our many Knowledge Communities.
- You can serve on a committee or be an active member of a KC.
- You can click one or more of the KCs on your NASPA profile page and receive emails about upcoming events or provide input into the programming or information provided by your KC representatives.
- You can attend ancillary meetings, have a KC sponsor a presentation, or write an article to our many NASPA publications.
We look forward to working with you!
Learn more about Knowledge Communities »
Events
One of the best resources available to you is the wide range of professional development opportunities. This list contains both our “Hosted Events,” workshops and webinars that we plan and manage, and some “Related Events,” hosted by the NASPA Central Office or other NASPA Constituent Groups. To see a full listing of NASPA events, please see the Events page.
If you are interested in planning an event for the Region, you must fill out this form. The completed form will be sent to your Regional Director and Regional Treasurer for approval. Once approved, they will connect with the NASPA Central Office and a staff member will reach out to you for training and event set-up.
Please check back for upcoming events!
About Our Regional Director
Rameen Talesh
Regional Director, Region VI
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Leadership and Dean of Students, University of California, Irvine
Rameen serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Leadership and Dean of Students at UC Irvine and oversees a variety of departments including Campus Organizations and Volunteer Programs, Veteran Services, International Center, Cross-Cultural Center, Sorority & Fraternity life, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center, Center for Black Cultures, Resources and Research, Academic Integrity & Student Conduct, Womxn’s Center for Success, Center for Student Leadership, Student Government & Student Media, Sustainability Resource Center, DREAM Center, Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center, and FRESH Basic Needs Hub. He has worked for 32 years in student affairs.
Rameen received his Doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education. He earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University Northridge and his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California Irvine. He has taught as an Associate Professor of Clinical Education in the Rossier School for both master’s and doctorate students. He has worked at both public and private institutions including UC Riverside, CSU Northridge, and Occidental College and also served as an administrator on Semester at Sea.
In 2020, Rameen was the Western Regional Conference Committee Chair as it pivoted to a virtual format. He has led initiatives for Civic and Community Engagement as well as the development of the Core Leadership Competencies for UC Irvine students. He has co-authored an article published in Student Engagement in Higher Education on Engaging Racial Ethnic Minority Students on Predominately White Classroom Environments.
Advisory Board
The Region VI Advisory Board oversees the various operations of the Region as well as representing the state organizations within Region VI and coordinating with the Knowledge Communities.
Region VI Awards
Each year NASPA recognizes outstanding members by honoring professionals and students through our regional awards. Regional award winners are forwarded for consideration at the national awards level, as applicable.
View the 2022 Award Recipients video presentation here »
Questions? Contact Jen Pagala Barnett, Nominations and Awards Chair, at [email protected].
Pillars
Distinguished Pillars of the Profession
2022 - Willie L. Banks Jr., Joel Perez
2021 - Evette Castillo Clark, Kevin Colaner, Janet Dickerson, Debra Geller, Tonantzin Oseguera
2020 - Jan Minoru Javinar
2019 - Joy L. Hoffman, Kathryn Mueller
2018 - Kandy Mink Salas, Sherry Mallory
2017 - John Hoffman, Brian Haynes, Harry Le Grande, Judy Sakaki, Frank Lamas, Ellen J. Neufeldt
2016 - Lori M. Ideta, Berenecea Johnson Eanes, Kenneth Kelly, Anna M. Ortiz, Wm. Gregory Sawyer
2015 - Melissa Vito, Anna K. Gonzalez
2014 - *
2013 - Peg Blake, Jill Halvaks, Sharyn Slavin Miller
2012 - Marilee Bresciani
2011 - Charlotte Burgess, Penny Rue
2010 - Howard S. Wang
2009 - Susan Hunter Hancock, Robert Naples, Lisa Waits, Thomas C. Shandley
2008 - Renee Barnett Terry, Ronni Sanlo
2007 - James R. Kitchen, Gary Kleeman, Dwight L. Rideout
2006 - Anthony R. Ross, Ronald R. Kopita
2005 - *
2004 - Henry Gee, Michael Jackson, Alvin Tagomori
2003 - Sandra Matsui, Saunie Taylor, Keith Miser, Hazel Scott, Penny Wills
2002 - Amefil Agbayani, Hal Gin, Elizabeth Griego, Alan Yang
2001 - Anne E. Golseth
2000 - Doris M. Ching, Dudley B. Woodard, James Lyons
1999 - Judy Chambers, Jesse Marks, James R. Appleton
