From strengthening professional development and sharing SACSA’s story to listening to members and shaping the association’s future, these leaders bring a commitment to service, connection, and community. Get to know the people behind the positions, what their roles involve, and the experiences that will guide their service.
Get to Know Your Newly Elected Leaders
Each leader answered two questions about the opportunities ahead and the SACSA experiences that will shape how they serve. Select a name to jump to their feature.
President-Elect
Lakiesa Rawlinson, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
University of West Georgia
About the role
The President-Elect supports strategic planning, serves as the Executive Council liaison to the Foundation and NASPA Region III, and fulfills the President’s duties in the President’s absence.
Upon succeeding to President, responsibilities include leading SACSA and its Executive Council, appointing committee chairs with Council approval, and overseeing the annual conference, public policy, and Presidential Scholar.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role, and why?
I am most excited about the opportunity to reconnect and re-engage our long-standing members, whose experiences and leadership are invaluable to mentoring the next generation of student affairs professionals and shaping SACSA's future. I also look forward to strengthening our visibility, impact, and relevance across the southeastern region by using storytelling and data to demonstrate our organization's value. Equally important is building a stronger financial and organizational infrastructure that positions SACSA as a first-choice professional home for student affairs practitioners across the region.
What is one SACSA experience or connection that has stayed with you, and how will it shape the way you serve?
One experience that has stayed with me was my first SACSA conference presentation as a graduate student, titled "Your Multicultural Workout Session," where individuals I knew and others I had never met showed up to encourage me and celebrate the work I was doing. That experience demonstrated the true spirit of SACSA: collegiality, inclusivity, and mentorship, and it helped shape my professional journey in ways I still appreciate today. As President, I want every person who engages with SACSA, whether a first-time attendee, graduate student, presenter, mentor, or seasoned professional, to experience that same sense of belonging, encouragement, and community.
Vice President of Marketing
Alexis Montana Harp, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Greek Life
University of Georgia
About the role
The Vice President of Marketing leads SACSA’s communications, website, social media, and brand efforts. The role partners across the association to support membership recruitment and retention, promote programs, and guide the effective and ethical use of technology.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role, and why?
I am looking forwardto continuing to build on the momentum that we have already built within SACSA Marketing. Continuing to meet our members where they are and serve them as best as possible through our marketing and communication efforts.
What is one SACSA experience or connection that has stayed with you, and how will it shape the way you serve?
My graduate programat Western Carolina introduced me to SACSA. Being able to serve and lead alongside so many great individuals has left such a lasting impression on my SACSA journey. NPI Cohort ‘25 is one of my favorite SACSA experiences and I’m so thankful and proud of my phenomenal cohort.
Vice President of Professional Development
Eric Bailey II, Ed.D.
Senior Associate Vice Provost for Student Academic Success
University of Memphis
About the role
The Vice President of Professional Development guides SACSA’s professional learning strategy, including the Mid-Managers’ Institute, New Professionals Institute, and programming beyond the annual conference. The role supports program leaders, aligns learning opportunities with member needs, and collaborates with NASPA Region III.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role, and why?
I am most excitedabout stepping into the VP for Professional Development role because it brings together two of my greatest professional passions: developing others and creating meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and growth. I have experienced firsthand the impact of SACSA’s professional development opportunities, the importance of intentional curriculum for staff development, and the lasting impact of investing in people. More than anything, I am excited about the opportunity to create experiences that not only strengthen our members as professionals but also inspire them to lead boldly, invest in others, and make a lasting impact on their institutions, our profession, and the students we ultimately serve.
What is one SACSA experience or connection that has stayed with you, and how will it shape the way you serve?
A mentoronce told me, “This field is small. Make meaningful connections. Say yes to opportunities if you have the capacity. And don’t be driven by rewards and recognitions. Just do good work and the rewards will come.” This advice has stuck with me for years and provides the framework for how I will serve.
Member-at-Large
Justavian D. Tillman, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of Students
Notre Dame of Maryland University
About the role
The Member-at-Large connects the membership with the Executive Council, bringing member perspectives and emerging issues into council discussions and decisions. The role also supports policy and bylaw changes, resolutions, committee transitions, and the SACSA Historian.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role, and why?
SACSA has been my professional home for over a decade now, and I’m looking forward to helping members have a real say in how we grow and serve them. I want to hear from people across the association, especially those we may not hear from often, so the Council’s decisions reflect the different experiences and needs of our membership. For me, this role is about listening, following through, and staying connected to the people we represent.
What is one SACSA experience or connection that has stayed with you, and how will it shape the way you serve?
Serving as Assistant Conference Chair gave me the chance to think about the many ways members experience SACSA and what makes their involvement worthwhile. That experience will shape how I serve by reminding me to ask whose needs we’re meeting and whose perspectives we may be missing. I want to stay connected to members whether they hold a leadership role, participate regularly, or are still figuring out where they fit.
Join Us in Congratulating Our Elected Leaders
Thank you to every candidate who stepped forward to serve and to the members who participated in the election. Your engagement helps shape SACSA’s future and strengthens the community we build together.
Please join us in welcoming our newly elected Executive Council members and supporting their work on behalf of the association.
