Faculty

Melissa L. Jones currently serves as Associate Dean of Student Involvement at the University of Mary Washington, a small, public liberal arts institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In her role, she oversees Campus Recreation, the University Center, Student Activities and Engagement, and Orientation. She also serves as instructor of record for the First-Year Seminar Peer Mentor Program,  a credit-bearing course designed to pair upper-class students with first-year students to facilitate a supportive environment of transition for new students. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in History and English, Melissa received her M.Ed. in Social Foundations of Education from UVA and went on to continue her education at James Madison University where she received her M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in College Student Personnel Administration. Melissa has a passion for helping emerging leaders explore their own strengths to enhance their leadership style, particularly in the context of the political environments of higher education.  She has stayed active in the field by serving ACPA as President of the Virginia College Personnel Association, Assembly Coordinator for State Divisions, Co-Chair of the Next Generation Conference, Directorate member for the Commission for Student Involvement, member of the Presidential Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Certification, member of the Credentialing Implementation Team, Chair of the Involvement Team, and currently serves as the Secretary for the ACPA Foundation. 

Danielle Morgan Acosta | she, her, hers
Clark University

Danielle Morgan Acosta is passionate about finding and cultivating potential, facilitating change, developing socially just spaces, and investing in students and staff so they grow personally and professionally. She currently serves as Associate Dean of Students at Clark University and ACPA’s President. Throughout her career, she has cultivated vibrant and inclusive student experiences, supporting student governance, advocacy, engagement, and community building. She has written about leadership, student governance, identity and student organization advising. Danielle, a first generation college student from California, received her BA and MAT from Clark University, her M.Ed in Higher Education Student Affairs from Salem State University, and her Ph.D. in Higher Education from Florida State University where she explored how the parental divorce experience during childhood influences female undergraduate student leaders.  An active member of ACPA since graduate school, Danielle has served ACPA through numerous leadership roles, including representing graduate students and new professionals, chairing the ACPA17 Annual Convention, and currently serving on the ACPA Governing Board.