Mainstage Speakers
Get ready to be inspired by transformational thought leaders from in and outside higher ed. These featured speakers bring a wealth of experience, insight, and bold ideas to the stage—challenging us to think differently, lead courageously, and act with purpose.
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Liz Murray
Author, Founder of The Arthur Project, and Advocate for Underserved Youth and Poverty Awareness
Opening Keynote
The child of drug-addicted parents who routinely ate from dumpsters and sought refuge at all-night subway stations to survive, Liz Murray was homeless at age 15—and fending for her life. Determined not to be defined by her circumstances, she recognized education as the key to a fresh beginning and a whole new way of living. She earned her high school diploma in just two years and won a scholarship to Harvard University that would turn her bleak circumstances into a future filled with limitless possibility. With sincerity, maturity and graciousness, Murray takes audiences along on her personal journey from street smarts to classroom triumphs, instantly becoming an inspiration to both student groups and business audiences alike in need of the motivation to overcome their own obstacles. She is the author of Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, which became the film Homeless to Harvard and was nominated for three Emmy Awards. Murray graduated from Harvard in 2009, and went on to receive her Masters in the Psychology of Education at Columbia University. Today, as co-founder of The Arthur Project, Murray is a passionate advocate for under served youth, working to end generational poverty through relationship-based learning.
SPRINT Sessions
The SPRINT Sessions — six short, personal, and inspiring stories — will close out this year’s Campus Home. LIVE! When you hear these moving tales from your professional colleagues, you’ll understand how they have quickly become one of the most popular aspects of the conference experience.
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Arian L. Bryant, EdD
University of Central Florida
Arian L. Bryant, EdD is the Director of Residence Life and Education at the University of Central Florida, where he leads residential programs supporting student success and inclusion. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education and public service, with prior residence life leadership roles at SUNY Albany, Montclair State University, and Rutgers University. Arian remains actively engaged in professional service, scholarship, and leadership development through NASPA and national speaking and writing efforts. His work centers on advancing equity, mentoring future leaders, and supporting the success of students and housing professionals. He is also the creator and host of The Boogie Down Scholar, a leadership-focused blog and YouTube platform.
Josh Gana, EdD
University of Washington
Josh Gana, EdD (he/him), is the Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Executive Director of Housing & Food Services at the University of Washington where he leads a comprehensive program serving more than 9,500 students and employing over 500 staff. He brings more than 20 years of housing and residential life experience, with previous roles at Gonzaga, Washington State, and Oregon State universities, and has been an active contributor to the field through board, leadership, and faculty positions with ACUHO‑I and NWACUHO. Josh earned his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University and serves on the nonprofit boards of Emergency Management Group–Washington and the U District Partnership in Seattle.
James Greenwood
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
James Greenwood (he/him) is the Head of Residential Life at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he provides strategic leadership for community building and student wellbeing. He brings more than 10 years of experience in residential life across the UK and has led the development of award-winning student experience initiatives. James also serves in national and international leadership roles, including chairing professional networks focused on residential life and the student experience. His work is grounded in a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and supporting LGBTQ+ staff and student communities.
Linda Kasper
University of Georgia
Linda Kasper brings more than 25 years of experience in university housing. She currently serves as the Executive Director for University Housing at the University of Georgia. UGA Housing is home to 9,000 students living in 23 (soon to be 24!) residence halls. Linda previously served in housing roles at the University of South Florida, Oregon State University, the University of Arizona, and Western Washington University. In addition, she served in academic roles at the University of Vermont and Nankai University in mainland China. ACUHO-I is Linda’s professional home. She has volunteered at NHTI, SHOI, the Rolf Visser Student Housing Training Institute in South Africa, MENASA, and with the international study tour prior to Campus Home. LIVE!. Linda earned her MEd from the University of Vermont and her BS from Northern Michigan University.
Cory Shapiro, EdD
Arizona State University
Cory Shapiro, EdD is the Assistant Dean of Students at Arizona State University’s Downtown Phoenix Campus where he works with a dynamic and innovative team of student services professionals while still providing oversight to the Residential Life team at two ASU campuses. He has spent the last 20 years in a variety of roles at ASU including serving as the Associate Director of Residential Life directly or indirectly leading over 500 staff members who in turn supported over 17,000 students on-campus. Cory’s 27 years of housing experience including roles at The Ohio State University and The University of Arizona in addition to leadership and faculty roles within ACUHO-I, AIMHO, and GLACUHO. Through his passion for giving back to students and professionals alike, Cory has enjoyed presenting at conferences, webinars, and podcasts, and he currently serves on the Regional Cabinet of the ACUHO-I Foundation and also on the Hillel Jewish Student Center at ASU Board of Directors.
Jillian Sturdivant
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Jillian Sturdivant is the Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Dean of Students at Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), bringing more than 15 years of experience in Housing and Residential Life. Her career includes leadership roles at Clemson University, Purdue University, the University of Central Florida, Winston-Salem State University, and Pace University (NYC). A frequent presenter on student and professional well-being at national conferences, she also co-authored The Table: Stories from Black Women in Student Affairs. Jillian encourages higher education professionals to cultivate a strong sense of identity beyond their titles, emphasizing that personal grounding is essential to effective leadership.