NASPA Region III - Mississippi Drive-in Pre-Conference
Susan Powell-Jones, Ed.D., Executive Director of College Access
Jackson State University
Karolina Kastsiuchenka, Coordinator of International Student Engagement
Jackie Mullen, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Mississippi State University
The NASPA Region III Mississippi Drive-in Conference offers NASPA members from institutions across Mississippi the opportunity to hear from a variety of guest speakers on key topics in higher education. Attendees will also have the chance to engage with fellow professionals, explore valuable resources, and gain insights that can enhance their work both now and in the future.
“Edupocalypse” - the Current State of Higher Education
Peter Lake, JD, Professor of Law, Charles A. Dana Chair and
Director Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy
Stetson University College of Law
This plenary session will explore the impact of various polycrises facing higher education. Challenges seem to be coming from every direction—the enrollment cliff, existential legal and regulatory threats, public funding, accreditation reform, student mental health and wellness, immigration issues, artificial intelligence, loss of social trust, etc. How will higher education face this moment of reformation? Is there a renaissance to come?
Shock and Awe 2025: Higher Education’s Tortured Era
John Wesley Lowery, Ph.D., Professor of Student Affairs in Higher Education, University College
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Since January, the federal government has made sweeping changes, through executive orders, the freezing or termination of grant funding, and regulatory changes that have had immediate and far-reaching effects across higher education landscape. Federal agencies have been reorganized or eliminated, numerous investigations are underway, and the future of international education remains uncertain. At the same time, state legislatures across the country have considered and enacted legislation that has fundamentally altered higher education institutions, including the work of student affairs professionals.
The Challenges of Managing Presidential Executive Orders and Associated Regulatory Actions Affecting Higher Education
Peter Lake, JD, Professor of Law, Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy
Stetson University College of Law
Higher education is now immersed in a new regulatory environment, one that is even different from the first Trump administration. In this session, we will discuss many of the executive orders, or EOs, issued in 2025 affecting higher education. These EOs have ushered in new dynamics between the field and the federal government such as the return of regulatory “guidance,” the rise of (what are in essence) cease and desist communications, a change in tone of communications, the use of “nuclear options” and the immense leverage of the federal government over higher education. Is higher education headed to more direct central federal government command and control? How are different sectors of higher education impacted? What role will courts play in the rule of law, particularly regulatory law?
Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Balancing Innovation, Responsibility, and Compliance
Kyle McDill, Project Manager, Center for Cyber Education
Mississippi State University
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is rapidly transforming higher education, offering powerful tools to enhance student success, accessibility, and career readiness. At the same time, it presents new legal and ethical challenges surrounding privacy, academic integrity, and equitable access. This session examines how platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and MagicSchool.AI can support instruction, research, and student engagement while remaining compliant with institutional policies and federal regulations. Attendees will gain practical strategies for integrating AI responsibly within classrooms and academic operations—ensuring innovation aligns with transparency, fairness, and accountability across the university landscape.
Cyber Crime Trends in Mississippi – Part I (Cyber Fraud)
Nelson Chisholm, Cyber Crime Investigator
Lindsay Cranford, Deputy Attorney General
Shawn J. Wolfe, Director, Cyber Crime Director
Office of the Attorney General, State of Mississippi
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office has a Cyber Crime Division that consists of the Mississippi Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Mississippi Cyber Fraud Task Force, and a team of digital forensic examiners. This session will include Cyber Crime Director Shawn Wolfe moderating a panel discussing cyber crime trends in Mississippi involving skimmers, ATM jackpotting, business email compromise, and cryptocurrency scams.
A Discussion about Free Expression on Campus
Peter Lake, JD, Professor of Law, Charles A. Dana Chair and Director, Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy
Stetson University College of Law
Today’s free expression climate on campus has taken challenging turns in the new regulatory state. This session offers the opportunity to share and consider various dynamics impacting free expression on campuses today. Among the topics for discussion will be the state of academic freedom and expression (including the impact of Citizens United and Egbert v. Boule), time/place/manner restrictions and encampments, bias response issues, religious expression issues, true threats and the boundaries of the First Amendment, and recurring issues with addressing “hostile environment.” As you join our discussion, contemplate the role the Supreme Court can and will have refereeing controversies over free expression in the future on American college campuses. Is free expression flourishing or is there a chill in the air?
FERPA: Student Privacy and Student Affairs Practice
John Wesley Lowery, Ph.D., Professor of Student Affairs in Higher Education, University College
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, governs how colleges and universities handle student education records and significantly impacts student affairs practice. With continued revisions to and clarification of the FERPA regulations, student affairs face an additional challenge in remaining current on and complying with the U.S. Department of Education’s expectations. This presentation will provide an overview of FERPA's requirements and an update on particularly thorny issues at the intersection of student affairs practice and student privacy.
How Trauma-Informed Pedagogy Fosters Retention and Resilience in Gen Z College Students
Kelli Wallace, Assistant Dean of Students
Mississippi State University - Meridian
This presentation explores trauma-informed care as a transformative framework for higher education and professional development, emphasizing its role in cultivating resilient, empathetic leaders for tomorrow’s world. As AI and social media reshape human interaction, trauma-informed pedagogy reminds us that authentic connection and compassion remain central to learning and growth. Attendees will learn how proactive adaptation of trauma-informed principles can foster inclusive, supportive campus cultures that prioritize mental health, ethical leadership, and human-centered education—building a brighter, more compassionate future for all.
Cyber Crime Trends in Mississippi – Part II (Internet Crimes Against Children)
Lindsay Cranford, Deputy Attorney General
Richard Gulledge, Commander of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force
Shawn J. Wolfe, Director, Cyber Crime Director
Office of the Attorney General, State of Mississippi
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office has a Cyber Crime Division that consists of the Mississippi Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Mississippi Cyber Fraud Task Force, and a team of digital forensic examiners. This session will include Cyber Crime Director Shawn Wolfe moderating a panel discussing cyber crime trends in Mississippi ranging from child exploitation to sextortion.
Managing Legal Issues from the Senior Student Affairs Officer Perspective
Moderator - Regina Young-Hyatt, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs
Mississippi State University
Roland Bullard, Ph.D., CFRM, Vice President for Student Success
Stillman College
Jessica Harpole, Vice President for Student Affairs
The W - Mississippi University for Women
Eddie Lovin, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Affairs
Delta State University
Tommy "T.J." Walker, Ed.D., Dean of Student Services
Hinds Community College - Raymond Campus
Senior student affairs officers, or SSAOs, are often at the center of complex legal and compliance matters impacting student life. This panel will explore how SSAOs navigate legal challenges, partner with counsel, and lead through sensitive situations while advancing institutional values. Participants will gain practical insights and leadership strategies to support legally sound, student-centered decision making.
Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act: Key Considerations for Student Affairs Practice
John Wesley Lowery, Ph.D., Professor of Student Affairs in Higher Education, University College
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
This presentation provides an overview and update on the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Participants will receive insights into the laws’ requirements, and the U.S. Department of Education’s enforcement and recent statements, including the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Particular attention will be paid to aspects of the law with the greatest relevance to student affairs practice.
Campus Threat Assessment and Threat Management Teams – AI, Mental Health and Emerging Trends Among Juveniles and Young Adults
Brian Locke, Assistant Chief of Police
Mississippi State University
Nicholas Amiano, Special Agent
FBI Jackson Field Office
Campus Threat Assessment and Threat Management Teams, or TATMTs, play a vital role in keeping students safe while addressing mental health and behavioral concerns. This session explores how AI, emerging juvenile, and young adult trends, and rising mental health challenges are shaping threat detection and intervention strategies. Attendees will gain practical insights on using technology, collaboration, and proactive approaches to enhance campus safety and student well-being.
Effective Social Media for Student Engagement
Thomas Broadus, Chief Marketing Officer, Office of Public Affairs
Mississippi State University
This session explores how universities can use social media to effectively reach, engage, and inspire today’s college students. Attendees will learn practical strategies for crafting content that resonates with student audiences, balancing authenticity with professionalism, and leveraging platforms where students are most active.
Beyond Burnout: Building Coping Skills for Ourselves and Our Students
Bobbie Jo Bensaid, Project Manager, Prevention and Wellness Starkville (PAWS), Department of Psychology
Mississippi State University
University professionals are often expected to provide steady guidance to students while navigating their own high-pressure workloads, constant change, and emotional demands. This session will explore practical strategies for managing stress and strengthening resilience among higher education staff and faculty, as well as how to model and teach these skills to students who may not have been equipped with healthy coping mechanisms. Participants will leave with evidence-based tools for stress management, emotional regulation, and communication skills that not only enhance personal well-being but also contribute to a healthier, more supportive campus environment.