The Placement Exchange (TPE) is committed to enhancing the career readiness of current professionals as well as incoming and future colleagues through providing experiences that scaffold the learning, growth, and development at all levels.

The TPE 2024 committee is a full-year commitment that extends through  April 2024. This gives the committee an opportunity to contribute to the year-round connection and learning opportunities offered by TPE in addition to the placement opportunity offered in the spring.

Our Focus

Under this year’s chair, the TPE ‘24 Committee will focus its efforts on equity, inclusion, justice, accessibility, and belonging in recruiting, retaining, and advancing practitioners in the field.

Our Composition

The TPE Planning Committee is composed of practitioners and graduate students in student affairs and higher education, or related fields. The planning committee is led by the chair, chair-select, and TPE Director.

Committee

Meet the Committee

Committee Chair

Karess Gillespie

Syracuse University

Committee Chair Select

Nick Bates

Boston University

Director, The Placement Exchange

D’Najah Pendergrass Thomas

The Placement Exchange

Development: Advancing Professional

Steph Olson

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Development: Students

André Jordan Jr.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Development: Incoming Professionals

Julie Batt

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Employer Development

Dr. Janine M. Weaver-Douglas

University of Northern Colorado

Employer Development

Raymond Gordon

University of Texas at El Paso

Employer Development

Katy Pelton

Sam Houston State University

Graduate Ambassadors

Katie Hill

California State University, Monterey Bay

Graduate Ambassadors

Frankie DiFranco

American University

Graduate Ambassadors

Griffen Farrar

Iowa Western Community College

Marcom – Employers

Lisa Blasi

Penn State University

Marcom – Candidates

Dr. Kyle N. Boone

Grand Valley State University

Annual Opportunities

Chair-Select

(Chair the following year)

Practitioner Development:

(3 members)

  • Entering Professional support
  • Advancing Professional support
  • Undergraduate Student support

Employer Development:

(3 members)

Social Media & Communications:

(3 members)

  • Ambassadors
  • Candidates
  • Employers

Ambassadors:

(3 members)

The individuals in this role will work closely with NASPA’s GAP initiative.

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The new iteration of The Placement Exchange (TPE) is crucial for our profession as it embraces innovation and adaptability, providing a cutting-edge platform for employers and candidates to connect virtually and in a more accessible format.

Dr. Melvin “Jai” Jackson, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement, NC State University

TPE provides so many employment opportunities and candidate resources. It really optimizes your chance for finding a quality work experience.

Randall Williams, Assistant Director of Student Accountability, Vanderbilt University

The low-cost search option of TPE Placement gives you access to so many candidates with the exact experiences you are seeking.

Tierza Watts, Director of the Center for Leadership, Elon University

Adaptation is one of the most important components for survival for any organization. TPE is the adjustment needed to serve our profession and its needs in a way that is sustainable and timely for today’s audience.

Nyerere Tryman, Executive Director, University Housing, Auburn University

On the fence about TPE? Absolutely do it! Take advantage of the amazing resources that TPE provides to enhance your experience.

Randall Williams, Assistant Director of Student Accountability, Vanderbilt University

Participating in the Virtual Career Fair & Placement experience offers a cost-effective, efficient, and flexible way to connect with a diverse talent pool, showcasing your organization's adaptability and innovation while eliminating traditional events' costs and geographical constraints. The virtual format provides access to a global talent pool through an inclusive recruitment approach.

Dr. Melvin “Jai” Jackson, Assistant Vice Provost for Faculty Engagement, NC State University

Candidates will never have unfettered access to this many employers in the same space at the same time. The ROI on your investment of time and energy to participate will be worth it and you may not have to leave your living room!

Nyerere Tryman, Executive Director, University Housing, Auburn University

As someone who has extensively recruited through TPE, there is nothing better than being able to connect with potential job seekers from all across the country and in different places in their career journey.

Dr. Tim Leyson, Associate Director of Housing Operations, Northern Kentucky University

Equity has long been a talking and sticking point in our profession of how we recruit, hire and retain talent. Our field has needed a kickstart to how we move hiring and recruitment forward into the future, TPE is and will continue to be that driving force.

Dr. Tim Leyson, Associate Director of Housing Operations, Northern Kentucky University