ACPA and NASPA: Exploring a Common Voice

WE VALUE student learning, the development of the whole person, and student success as the essential outcomes for all that we do.

WE VALUE a professional association that is unified in giving voice to all of its constituencies through an open exchange of ideas, inclusive consultation with members, mutual respect, and transparent decision making.

WE VALUE the traditions and history of both associations and honor past contributions and leadership.

WE VALUE research and scholarship to inform our practice.

WE VALUE professional development to enhance knowledge and growth for members at every level of our profession by providing high-quality experiences, timely information, relevant research, and exemplary models of practice.

WE VALUE the wisdom, perspectives, experience, and stewardship of senior student affairs members in our profession.

WE VALUE the contributions of young professionals and graduate and undergraduate students, as well as the opportunities to nurture and mentor this group to become committed, effective, knowledgeable, and ethical leaders in higher education. 

WE VALUE leadership opportunities at all levels of the profession in our individual and collective work to advocate for students; facilitate student learning; determine best practice; develop policy; and address international, national, state, regional, and campus issues.

WE VALUE the perspectives of a diverse membership that offer the association and the profession various and complex approaches to problem solving.

WE VALUE the diverse approaches to higher education, as represented by a wide variety of institutional types, in providing educational opportunity for all. 

WE VALUE high-quality, scholarly publications for research and practice that are published in peer-reviewed journals, providing opportunities for our faculty to disseminate their work and influence how student affairs practice is conceptualized. 

WE VALUE multiple conference opportunities that allow colleagues to engage in dialogue and mutual learning, and that promote personal connections and friendships.

WE VALUE the intentional creation of opportunities for social identity groups to communicate and work together to influence issues and inform others about high-quality practice.

WE VALUE the functional, topical areas that have been represented in the structure of both associations.

WE VALUE collaboration and partnerships that serve to strengthen the influence a united voice presents in representing the profession in policy and practice.

WE VALUE the opportunity for responsible use of power, influence, and expertise that comes from who we are together and that allows us to collectively realize our goals for student learning and success. 

WE VALUE an association structure that models for our membership the values of our profession: access, affordability, collaboration, cooperation, diversity, fellowship, fiscal responsibility, integrity, learning, responsiveness, service, spirit of inquiry, and sustainability.