Supporting Our Profession
The commitment of the Foundation is steadfast – to continually position auxiliary professionals, the higher education market, and students for greatness.
Select an option below:
- Our Purpose
- Our Impact
- Professional Development
- Donors
- Board of Directors
Our Purpose
We envision a future where all students can be successful
The NACAS Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that improves the quality of life for students and supports affordability in higher education by funding grants and scholarships, professional development programs, and research initiatives for auxiliary services professionals, students, and institutions.
We promote equality and the diversity of people and ideas for the benefit of the public. Our work fosters innovation, collaboration, and creative thinking to improve students’ quality of life.
Through the generous support of individuals and business partners, the NACAS Foundation has been able to help fund industry scholarships, financially support students, create and maintain basic needs programs & services on campus, provide industry research funds, and support the growth and development of auxiliary leaders.
Emily A. Messa, Ph.D., CASP
PRESIDENT
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor/
Associate Vice President for Administration
University of Houston
Houston, TX
Term ends: October 2025
Jason Rex Tolliver, CASP
FOUNDATION PAST-PRESIDENT
Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Term ends: November 2025
Angela Peterson
VICE PRESIDENT
Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Enterprises
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, NC
Term Ends: Fall 2025
James E. Dwyer, CASP
TREASURER
Vice Chancellor for University Business Services
Washington University - St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
Term ends: 2025
Scott Seagren, CASP
NACAS BOARD REPRESENTATIVE
Business Officer and Director of Business and Technology
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Term Ends: Fall 2025
Ron Portwine, CASP
DIRECTOR - Central Region
Associate VP for Administration and Business Affairs
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
Term ends: November 2025
Kevin D’Onofrio
DIRECTOR - East Region
Executive Director
SUNY Cobleskill Auxiliary Services
Cobleskill, NY
Term ends: 2026
Joseph Pearson, CASP
DIRECTOR - West Region
Executive Director Auxiliary Enterprises
Central Washington University
Ellensburg WA
Term ends: 2025
Kennedy Turner
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS PARTNER
Vice President of Venue Partners, Trooh
Term ends: 2025
Salli Darden
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS PARTNER
Senior Vice President Strategy, Education Compass Group, USA
Term ends: 2025
Bill Long
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS PARTNER
Follett Group Vice President
Term ends: 2025
Danielle Klinkhamer
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS PARTNER
Vice President, Sodexo Campus
Term ends: 2025
Rich Steele
Chief Executive Officer
NACAS
Professional Development
Fund professional development programs including webinars, the Emerging Professionals Academy, the Institute for Leadership & Management, Senior Executive Summit, and CASP certification.
Support scholarships and awards, including the Mereese Ladson Diversity Scholarship, the Hassmiller CASP Scholarship, and the David H. Lord Award for Exemplary Community Service
Our Impact
After investing more than a million dollars back in higher education, the work of the NACAS Foundation is more important now than ever before. Students are faced with new levels of uncertainty. Reduced access to affordable housing and the prospect of food insecurity are real problems. Research shows that these financial challenges are not new, but heightened since the pandemic.
Donate to support new industry initiatives, including the Campus Care Grant, virtual education experiences, and awards & scholarships.
$143,000 provided in scholarships and grants to campus professionals
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities - Contact us to learn more.
$13,000 provided directly to undergraduate students
$824,000 provided to professional development and learning initiatives for higher education professionals
2023 NACAS Foundation Individual Donors
James Adams
Phil Allison
Ana Alvarez
Benjamin Anderson
Margarida Baganha
LeVita Bassett
Christopher Bradie
Keith Brady
Gregory Bryant
Trent Bucy
Robert Buehler
Kara Bunde-Dunn
Pamela Burke
Jared Ceja
Pat Clelland
Jerry Clemmer
Pamela Connor
Anthony Coschignano
Brian Cousins
Salli Darden
Martha Davidson
Lorelle Davies
Jennifer DeCaria
Carl Dieso
Elysa Doss
Jon Downing
Nathan Downs
Stephanie Edgett
Riley Egan
Patty Eldred
Gordon Elson
Lynn Ernsting
Mathew Felthousen
Gino Galutera
Carlos Garcia
Lisa Goberis
Michael Gogliotti
Denise Golden
Jennifer Gray
Ryan Greene
Amber Grenhart
Robert Grieve
Abby Hansen
Katelin Happy
Gheretta Harris
Maria Hoagland
Sandra Horn
Brenda Hovis
Deborah Huebler
Erica B Jackson
Keonta Johnson
Jean Kwaterski
Larry Lee
Amy Lewis
Paul Loving
Sheena Majette
Neil Markley
Michael Masney
Mark McLaughlin
Andy Meeks
Angela Meldonian
Emily Messa
Suzie Mize
Kevin Moffitt
NACAS Foundation
Through generous support of members and business partners, the NACAS Foundation is able to fund professional development and leadership opportunities of NACAS members as they enhance higher education by utilizing the latest in campus services. Learn More