Jeanine Ward-Roof is honored and humbled to be named a Class of 2015 Pillars of the
Profession member, as designated by the NASPA Foundation and its board of directors.
Ward-Roof, the vice president for Student Affairs at Ferris State University, was a recipient of an honor that is bestowed upon individuals based on four specific criteria: Being an individual of sustained distinction in higher education as defined by donors and supporters, having served in leadership roles in NASPA, regionally or nationally; being recognized or remembered by colleagues, friends, students or student organizations for extraordinary service; and having significant lifetime contributions to higher education.
When informed of the honor, Ward-Roof reflected on the many colleagues and students she has worked with who helped make such an honor possible.
“This is truly a wonderful honor to receive this recognition from the NASPA Foundation and its board of directors, as a member of the Class of 2015 Pillars of the Profession,” she said. “It’s such a great privilege to have so many opportunities to interact with the outstanding colleagues, students, student leaders and others who make working in higher education so fulfilling.”
Ward-Roof and her fellow Pillars of the Profession Class of 2015 members will be honored at the 2015 NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, La. on Monday, March 23.
“I look forward to accepting this award on behalf of my many colleagues, both past and present, who work every day to create an educational and social environment in which our students thrive,” she said.
Prior to becoming Ferris’ VP for Student Affairs, Ward-Roof had served as dean of students at Florida State University.
At Ferris, Ward-Roof oversees Enrollment Services (which includes the Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Employment, and Institutional Research and Testing offices) and Student Life (which includes Birkam Health and Personal Counseling Center; Office of Multicultural Student Services; Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services; Office of Student Conduct; University Center; and University Recreation).
Ward-Roof holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Ohio University, a master’s in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Clemson University (S.C.).
NASPA is a top association for the student affairs profession. The organization’s work focuses on advocacy, professional development and research for 13,000 members from all 50 states, 25 countries and eight U.S. territories.