Morgan Higher Ed Graduate Shares Professional Expertise at NASPA Region II Conference

The Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy proudly recognizes Nailah Marie Dawson, M.A., a 2024 graduate of the Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) master’s program, for her outstanding professional contributions at the NASPA Region II Annual Conference, held June 2–4, 2025, in Pittsburgh, PA. Dawson, who will join Morgan State’s Ph.D. program in Higher Education in Fall 2025, facilitated two sessions that drew strong engagement from regional student affairs professionals.

In her first session, "From Inception to Impact: Revolutionizing Student Enrollment Services Through Centralized Excellence and the Human Touch," Dawson and her colleagues from the Johns Hopkins University Office of Student Enrollment and Account Management (SEAM) Student Support Team shared their innovative hybrid service model. Alongside fellow Assistant Directors- Kion D. Bolden, M.Div., and Jeremy Parrish, M.A. (insight contributor), Dawson highlighted the university-wide three-tiered service model designed to streamline students' requests for support with billing, financial aid, and registration issues. They further discussed the impact of Morgan alumna Dr. Tanya Johnson’s "Humanization Framework," which is the foundation for their student-facing work at their three locations in Baltimore and Washington, DC. The team is committed to eliminating the office shuffle, enhancing the student experience by removing bureaucratic barriers, and emphasizing human connection in enrollment services.

Dawson also led a solo session titled "Healing While Helping in Higher Education: Empowering Mid-Level Managers to Thrive Through Life’s Challenges." In this session, attendees reflected on their roles and responsibilities (both personal and professional), explored self-care practices, fostered community, and shared strategies for balancing personal wellness with professional responsibilities in student affairs. Participants left feeling refreshed, equipped with actionable tools, and connected to a supportive network.

Reflecting on the conference, Dawson shared:

“As a native New Yorker living in Pennsylvania and working at Maryland and New York universities, I am deeply connected with the NASPA Region II community. Being selected to present not just one, but two sessions based on my expertise was incredible. However, the relationships built and the affirmation from peers who resonated with my work were the most meaningful. I’m excited to continue contributing to the field through research, scholarship, and practice.”

The NASPA Region II Conference includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia institutions. Learn more at NASPA Region II and the 2025 conference site.

Nailah Marie Dawson’s dual commitment to student-centered practice and equity-oriented scholarship exemplifies the mission of Morgan State’s graduate programs: to develop scholar-practitioners who lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose.

For more information about the Department of Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy and its graduate programs, visit: www.morgan.edu/seus/aslp