Executive Committee
President Jade Irving is passionate about increasing college access and completion rates, and workforce development in the state of West Virginia. Jade’s experience in higher education includes teaching English to speakers of other languages and serving underserved populations through retention initiatives and program coordination. Presently, Jade is the senior project officer with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Jade has been involved with WVASPA for over four years and remains committed to the mission of sharing student development programs across the state. Through her involvement with WVASPA, Jade aims to support the student affairs professionals of two and four-year institutions of higher education in their efforts to contribute to the growth, development, and graduation of all students. In her spare time, Jade enjoys shopping and spending time with her husband Julian and their three sons: Jaden, Jaxon, and Jules. |
President Elect Justin is passionate about assisting students and their supporters in the transition from high school to college through New Student Orientation and the transition programs at Fairmont State University. Justin has several years of experience in higher education ranging from Housing and Residence Life, Student Activities, and Orientation. Justin obtained his Master of Science in Education: Student Affairs degree from Fort Hays State University, and is currently pursuing his Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Liberty University. Justin currently serves as the Associate Director of Orientation and Transition Programs at Fairmont State University. In his spare time, you will find Justin spending time with his wife, son, family and friends. |
Treasurer
Andrew’s passion runs deep when it comes to Higher Education. He first worked as a resident assistant at West Liberty and with the help of his boss at the time, fellow WVASPA board member Marcella Snyder, he began working in housing and never looked back! Currently, Andrew is the director of the Student Success Center at West Liberty University. With over 16 years of involvement with WVASPA, Andrew says it’s his favorite organization and conference to attend. In his spare time, you’ll find Andrew spending time with his husband, family and friends. He also enjoys their three dogs, Bella, Hunter, and Ozzy. |
Secretary
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Communications and Web Page Editor
Joanne has been involved with WVASPA for the past five years and she will tell you that there’s nothing like working in Higher Education. Just being in an environment that promotes innovation and growth while providing engaging opportunities for students and employees is rewarding. Her career at West Virginia University began in 2013 when Joanne was hired as the sales and marketing advisor for The Daily Athenaeum, WVU’s student newspaper. Currently, she is the senior marketing director for WVU Online. In Joanne’s spare time, she's cheering on her two sons. Her oldest son, Cameron, marches for The Pride of West Virginia Marching Band. Her younger son, Cooper, is a senior in high school and plays club soccer for Beading Soccer Club. |
Membership Chair Autumn Perry serves as Program Director of Student Services in the Division of Student Affairs for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System. In this role she works closely with student affairs professionals and student leaders from higher education institutions statewide, and oversees various committees, and programs impacting these groups. She also oversees state-level college access and success initiatives and outreach in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle region where she is based. She has over 16 years of experience in higher education, including past roles in academic advising and career services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in College Student Development and Administration from Shepherd University. Autumn has been attending WVASPA events since 2014, served on the WVASPA executive board from 2017 to 2019 as President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President, and was the 2021 recipient of WVASPA’s Stella Cooksey Distinguished Service Award. In her spare time, Autumn can be found attending her children’s many activities and events with her husband, or relaxing on her deck with her dog and a cup of coffee or tea. |
Member-at-Large, 1-Year Term Carla J. Blankenbuehler has 20 years of experience in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from Marshall University. Miss Blankenbuehler is a certified school counselor PK-AD in West Virginia. Currently she serves as the Interim Dean of Students at BridgeValley Community and Technical College. During her higher education tenure, she was nominated for and received the 2020 NISOD Excellence Award, the 2021 WVASPA Mid-Level Professional Award and most recently the 2023 Innovation Program award for her work with the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults. She became interested in mindfulness and meditation in 2020 and in 2022 and attended training at Duke University to become a certified Koru Instructor. |
Member-at-Large, 1-Year Term James earned his Bachelor's degree from West Liberty University in 2006 and completed his Master's degree at the University of Charleston in 2014. With over 16 years of experience in teaching, student affairs, and student success, James currently holds the position of Vice President for Student Services at Mountwest Community and Technical College. He has received several accolades, including the John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award, Outstanding Contributor to Community College Education (twice), and the Stella Cooksey Distinguished Service awards. Actively engaged with WVAPSA for numerous years, James has served as a presenter, board member, and participant. He strongly encourages both new and experienced student affairs professionals across the state to participate in WVASPA, citing the association's valuable contributions to leadership development and networking opportunities. During his leisure time, James can be found boating and camping at Summersville Lake from early spring to early fall. He always enjoys spending time with his four fur-babies, Riley, Titan, Cooper, and Lincoln. |
Member-at-Large, 1-Year Term Nancy graduated from Fairmont State College with a degree in Secondary Ed and earned her MA from WVU in Curriculum & Instruction, along with courses in adult learning theory from Grambling State. At Fairmont State College, she designed and delivered the Early Assessment program for service region high schools and was a frequent presenter for GEAR-UP. Nancy is a recipient of the Outstanding Contributor to Community College Education award; Fairmont State's Office of Multicultural Affairs' "Women of Color, Service for Achievement Award," and Pierpont's "Outstanding Advisor" award. Parks served as an Associate Professor at Fairmont State Community & Technical College (now Pierpont) and taught developmental writing skills, reading/study skills, and first-year success courses and was active in the West Virginia Association for Developmental Education. At Pierpont CTC, Parks now serves as Associate Provost of Student Services; Director of Advising & Assessment; and Coordinator/Advisor of the Board of Governors adult degree completion program. She is the mother of two WV college grads: her son, Graham, earned his BA and MBA from West Liberty College/West Liberty University, and her daughter, Amelia, earned her BA in Accounting from Bethany College. Nancy serves as a member of the Higher Learning Commission's Peer Review Corp. She lives and works in Clarksburg, home to Pierpont's Gaston Caperton Center. |