The 2025 NASPA Region III/SACSA Mid-Managers Institute (MMI) is set to convene June 7–13 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, bringing together a dynamic group of mid-level student affairs professionals for a week of immersive leadership development, community building, and reflection.

MMI is an application-based institute sponsored by SACSA and NASPA Region III. Designed specifically for professionals with at least five years of experience and supervisory responsibilities, MMI offers a focused and transformative development opportunity for those navigating the "middle" of their careers. Participants leave with enhanced skills, meaningful connections, and renewed clarity about their professional path. Many alumni of the institute go on to assume expanded leadership roles within their institutions or advance into senior-level positions, citing MMI as a pivotal moment in their growth.

What Makes MMI Unique

MMI stands apart through its faculty-guided cohort model, interactive sessions, and curriculum tailored to the nuanced realities of mid-level roles. Over seven days, participants engage in sessions on topics such as:

• Managing from the middle
• Navigating campus politics and climate
• Strategic planning
• Synergy between academic and student affairs
• Professional competencies
• Career planning

This year, 72 participants from 51 institutions will take part, supported by an experienced faculty team including Ali Ramirez (UNC Chapel Hill), Dr. Ra’meer Roberts (Virginia Commonwealth University), and eight other student affairs leaders from across NASPA Region III.

Daily Experience & Community Building

Each day of MMI is designed to provide a balance of professional learning and personal reflection. Participants engage in interactive workshops, small group discussions, and mentoring sessions led by faculty and guest presenters. The week also features intentional community-building, including a highlight excursion to Dollywood, generously sponsored by the University of Tennessee. This off-campus experience offers a chance to unwind and connect in a more informal setting—deepening the sense of community that MMI prioritizes.

Participant Perspectives

Each year, MMI draws mid-level professionals who are eager to grow in both skill and confidence—and the experience often proves to be a turning point in their professional journey.

Among the selected participants for the 2025 cohort is Nathan Faust, a mid-level professional from Southern Methodist University, who shared:

"I am incredibly excited and honored to have been selected to attend the Mid-Managers Institute and to represent SMU. Attending the Institute is such a unique development opportunity; Student Affairs as a field invests so much into our new professionals and senior-level administrators through their experiences. It’s so important that this program exists to empower folks in positions such as mine to further develop their skills, build productive networks, and build our confidence as mid-manager-level professionals. I am most looking forward to learning from the experienced faculty in the program as well as building connections with my fellow cohort members and taking these lessons back to my work."

“I’ve often felt that working in a mid-level role leaves me navigating a lot of ambiguity, where I sometimes feel limited in my ability to enact change,” said Dr. McKenzie Peterman of Georgia Southern University. “However, attending MMI was a transformative leadership experience! Through collaborating with exceptional group leaders and peers, I gained clarity on where we fit within the larger picture and realized that there is no ambiguous 'they'—WE are the administration, and WE make a meaningful impact on our campuses.”

Jennifer Cotto-Ecklund, M.A., from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, echoed the value of the experience:

“I can confidently say that MMI was one of the best professional development experiences I have had. The faculty was AMAZING! The content they presented was all relevant and helpful. They were transparent and honest with us, which you don’t always get from other professional development opportunities.

Our mentors and mentorship breakout groups were wonderful. It was good to be able to share experiences and connect with other professionals who may be going through similar things. Everyone is around the same level professionally, and you don’t always get that ability to network in that way at other institutes. The networking and friendships I made have continued and are so important to me. Truly, I recommend MMI constantly because it was one of the best experiences I have had.”

Looking Ahead

As higher education continues to evolve, MMI adapts its curriculum to remain relevant and impactful for today’s mid-level professionals. The institute is committed to equipping participants with the tools, strategies, and confidence to thrive in increasingly complex campus environments.

Professionals interested in applying for future institutes or serving as faculty can learn more through the official NASPA event page or by connecting with the MMI planning team. Applications for the next Mid-Managers Institute will open for participants, faculty, and staff early 2026!