June 11-13, 2026 | Providence, RI
52
Days
13
Hours
20
Minutes
13
Seconds
Featured Speakers
Opening Keynote Speaker
Tania Velazquez is a student affairs administrator with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across both four-year universities and community colleges. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Student Services at Suffolk County Community College, where she provides executive oversight of Counseling, Advisement, Career Services, Transfer Services, and mentoring initiatives serving over 11,000 students. She also holds a concurrent role as College-Wide Director of Career Services, leading strategy and operations across three campuses to advance career readiness, employer engagement, and workforce development.
A mission-driven and inclusive leader, Tania is recognized for building strong, cross-functional partnerships with faculty, administrators, and external stakeholders to improve student outcomes, particularly for first-generation, Latinx, and other historically underrepresented populations. Her leadership has resulted in expanded access to advising and counseling services, innovative onboarding and virtual support models, and measurable gains in student engagement and retention. She has also led large-scale organizational initiatives, including the integration of key student service areas and implementation of grant-funded workforce programs in partnership with the New York State Department of Labor.
Tania’s expertise spans strategic planning, organizational leadership, program design and assessment, and equity-centered practice within Hispanic-Serving Institutions and large public systems. A bilingual professional (English/Spanish), she brings a culturally responsive approach to leadership, student development, and staff supervision.
She is an active contributor to the field through national presentations, publications, and professional service. Tania has presented extensively at NASPA conferences and currently serves as Co-Chair of the NASPA Mid-Level Administrators Steering Committee. Her previous leadership roles include Chief of Staff for the NASPA Community College Division and Chair of the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. She is also an elected member of the SUNY Community College Leadership Academy.
Tania is a published author and has contributed to multiple professional blogs and newsletters. Her recent speaking and teaching engagements include featured speaker for NASPA SA Speaks Series and serving as a speaker for Manhattanville College’s Social Justice Series.
Her contributions to the profession have been recognized with numerous honors, including the NASPA Mena Valdez Community College Award. She holds a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Student-Community Development from Stony Brook University, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo, and an Associate in Arts from Suffolk County Community College.
Deeply committed to mentorship, equity, and leadership development, Tania continues to advance initiatives that foster resilience, representation, and purpose-driven leadership within higher education.
Tania Velasquez
Assistant Dean of Student Services
Director of Career Services
Suffolk County Community College
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