Dr. Chris Moody
Executive Director
Phone: 202-759-4828 | Contact
Dr. Chris Moody is currently the Executive Director of ACPA and has served in this role since December 2017. Chris received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University (NC), his Master’s degree in College Student Development from Appalachian State University (NC), and his Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University (DC).
Prior employment experiences include staff roles at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University, the University of Memphis, and the Semester at Sea program. Just before coming to ACPA, Chris was Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Campus Life at American University in Washington, DC (USA). In this role as AVP, he provided strategic and managerial supervision and leadership to three university departments: Housing & Residence Life, One Card & Dining Services, and University Conferences & Guest Services. Chris was employed at American University in various roles of increasing responsibility from 2004 to 2017.
Over his twenty years of membership with American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Chris has been a program presenter, job employer and candidate, charter chairperson for the District of Columbia College Personnel Association (DCCPA), president of DCCPA, Director of Membership Development on the Governing Board, and a four-time annual convention team member (2011, 2012, 2014, and 2016 annual conventions. His most treasured professional experience to date was serving as chairperson for the ACPA 2016 Convention in Montreal, Canada, the first comprehensive student affairs in higher education organization to host its annual meeting outside of the United States.
Dr. Tricia Fechter Gates
Deputy Executive Director
Phone: 202-759-4825 | Contact
Tricia joined the International Office staff in April 2013 as the Senior Director, Professional Development, Research, and Scholarship and currently serves as the Deputy Executive Director. Tricia leads the professional development, marketing, and membershipteams and oversees the strategy, creation, and execution of programs and products to drive the Association’s innovative efforts.
Prior to working at ACPA, Tricia served as the Director of Events & Programs at Synergos, an Association Management Company. She has previous work experience with the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, Rockhurst University, and the University of South Carolina Aiken.
Tricia earned a bachelor’s in secondary education from Saint Louis University, a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina, and an MBA from Rockhurst University. She holds a Ph.D. in Education and Human Resource Studies from Colorado State University. Originally from St. Louis, Tricia travels home often to visit family, especially her two nieces, Tricia and Maggie. She is also an avid traveler who enjoys exploring domestic and international locations.
Schawn Abello
Director of Association Services and Administration
Phone: 202-759-4830 | Contact
Schawn joined the International Office staff in September 2012 as Association Services Coordinator and currently serves as the Expeditor, Global Community Interchange. She is responsible for general administration, provides office and database support to the Association, and serves as the first point of customer service to the Association’s members.
Schawn brings a wealth of experience from various administrative positions at an international school in New Jersey and Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.
Schawn earned a bachelor’s in communications from Loyola University Maryland.
Tim Arth
Director, Strategic Business & Resource Development
Phone: 202-688-1978 | Contact
Tim joined the International Office team in November, 2014. As the Senior Team Lead, Strategic Business & Resource Development, Tim serves as the primary resource to ACPA's prospective institutional members on college and university campuses and strategically directs ACPA's Corporate Partnerships program.
Prior to joining ACPA, Tim worked for six years in various capacities at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) and with the Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA).
Tim earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Boston College and a master's degree in student affairs administration in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at Indiana University.
Tom Gentry
Senior Team Lead, Finance, Accounting and Risk
Phone: 202-759-4834 | Contact
Tom joined the International Office staff in 2008 and serves as Senior Team Lead, Finance, Accounting and Risk. He manages all fiscal and accounting functions and oversees human resources at the IO.
Before coming to ACPA, Tom spent 12 years as a U.S. Navy Officer before establishing roots in the D.C. area in 1993, and he has held administrative and financial management positions with several non-profit associations.
Tom received his bachelor’s in economics from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a master’s in financial management from The Johns Hopkins University.
Bethany Tognocchi
Director, Marketing & Communications
Phone: 202-897-3902 | Contact
Bethany Tognocchi joined the International Office in September 2017 as the Director of Marketing & Communications. She is responsible for all ACPA related marketing materials, targeted communication efforts and social media campaigns. She oversees implementation of the ACPA visual brand and ensures all materials tell a story and engage the viewer.
Bethany earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design from Towson University and master's degree in student affairs from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has previously held positions in Residence Life at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Georgetown University. Her dual passions for visual communication and student affairs makes ACPA the perfect professional home! As a Baltimore native, Bethany enjoys being in the DC area close to family and friends but loves to travel as often as possible with her fiancé and their dogs!