Speakers

James (Jim) Hoppe became Bowdoin College’s Senior Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs in the summer of 2024. In this role, he oversees a wide range of programs and services dedicated to fostering an engaged and dynamic student experience, leading a team of 150 professionals. Before joining Bowdoin, Jim held the position of Vice President and Dean for Campus Life at Emerson College in Boston, and previously served as Dean of Students at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. His career also includes roles at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA; Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO; and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Jim is actively involved in several professional associations within higher education and was recognized in 2021 as a “Pillar of the Profession” by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University-Bloomington, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University. Jim resides in Brunswick, ME, with his husband Mike, their two sons, Cole and Grant, and their Golden Retriever, Riley.

Dr. Lisa Landreman’s higher education career spans over 35 years and includes student affairs administration in the areas of residence life, disability services, social justice education, Title IX, study abroad, disability services, student engagement and leadership, civic engagement, health education, and crisis management. She has also taught courses in intergroup dialogue facilitation, Women’s Studies, and Higher Education Administration. Dr. Landreman received a B.S. degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, a M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education from the University of Michigan. Her Ph.D. work examined critical multicultural education practice, intercultural development, liberal arts learning and education for a diverse democracy. She is editor of the book The Art of Effective Facilitation: Reflections from Social Justice Educators (2013) and several articles and book chapters. She has served on the governing board of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and was recognized as a 2011 ACPA Diamond Honoree. Currently Dr. Landreman serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Willamette University in Salem, OR and has had prior experiences as the Assistant Vice President and Dean for Student Life at Roger Williams University, the Associate Dean of Students at Macalester College, and Assistant Dean and Dean of Students roles on three Semester at Sea Study Abroad programs.

With over two decades of transformative leadership in education and community engagement, Karnell has dedicated his career to empowering individuals, inspiring organizations, and catalyzing cultural change.

The approach to his work is anything but conventional — it is human-centric, creative, and a little playful. It’s his belief that serious work doesn’t have to be somber, and transformational change can be as enjoyable as it is impactful.

As Vice President for Student Life at Reed College and as the Founder and Principal Consultant with Black Impact Consulting Group, he brings unwavering authenticity and innovative strategies that challenge the status quo and set new standards for Kultural Excellence™. BLK+TECH+KULTURE is the foundation for this work. Karnell also serves as the Regional Director for NASPA’s Region V, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.

Karnell believes that with an awareness of self, a set of practical skills, and a commitment to helping others, positive change isn’t just possible — it’s inevitable.

Dr. Dave Stanfield is Vice President and Dean of Students at Sarah Lawrence College in New York where he is responsible for residential education, student life, career services, counselling and wellness, academic advising, disability services, student-facing DEI initiatives, and athletics. Prior to joining Sarah Lawrence, Stanfield served as Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Yale-NUS College, Singapore (2019-2023). Stanfield’s professional work focuses on fostering communities of belonging, enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and ensuring students have the support they need to be healthy and succeed academically. Dr. Stanfield has extensive student affairs experience in the context of international higher education partnerships, as he also served on Carnegie Mellon University’s campus in Doha, Qatar (2006-2011), where he was Director of Student Activities and First-Year Programs.

Stanfield holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Miami University, and a Ph.D in Higher Education Administration from Boston College.

Small Colleges and Universities are navigating a period of rapid change shaped by shifting federal policies, financial pressures, and evolving student demographics.  In this engaging discussion, four Vice Presidents for Student Affairs from small institutions will share how senior leaders are interpreting today’s higher education landscape and guiding their campuses through uncertainty.

Opening speakers will provide insight into how institutional leaders are responding to federal and regulatory changes while remaining grounded in mission and student-centered priorities.  Through real-world examples, the conversation will also explore leadership responses to large-scale community impact events and the role housing and student affairs professionals play in supporting campus stability and student wellbeing during times of disruption.

Participants will gain a broader understanding of the forces shaping higher education today and leave with practical leadership insights and strategies they can apply within their own institutions.