INFORMATION FOR
Francisco Díaz, associate vice president for student development at William Paterson University, has been named the recipient of two 2025 Mena Valdez Awards, the Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer Award and the Outstanding Service Award, presented by the NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community. The awards will be presented at the NASPA Annual Conference in March.
The Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer Award is presented to a senior student affairs officer who has provided advice and energy to the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community that advanced the organization’s success, provided leadership and guidance, and been an inspiration to new student affairs professionals. The Outstanding Service Award recognizes the dedication and service of a NASPA member in promoting the profession of student affairs, students, and the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community overall, serving as a mentor and exuding a passion and dedication to advocating for the success of Latinx/a/o individuals in higher education.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected among others for these awards from the 2025 Mena Valdez Awards from the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community (LKC),” says Diaz. “I have had the distinct honor of working with so many talented people both nationally and regionally, engaging regularly with NASPA Region II whose members and board leaders have been part of my professional inner circle for decades. My most cherished moments have included supporting the organization’s goals, regional efforts, LKC initiatives, and most importantly mentoring undergraduates, graduate students, and new professionals as they embark on careers in higher education.”
“Francisco has been a long-time and tireless leader in NASPA, consistently providing knowledge, wisdom, leadership, mentorship, and support to his colleagues in the profession and here at William Paterson University,” says Miki Cammarata, vice president for student development. “These awards also bring great recognition to William Paterson and highlights our commitment to developing current and future Latinx/a/o student affairs professionals. Those of us who work closely with Francisco, are supervised or mentored by him, or simply watch him in action, are not surprised by this recognition and know that he gives so much of his time, energy and talent because he truly cares.”
Díaz has been a member of NASPA since the late 1990s. During his involvement with the organization, he has served in a myriad of roles, including National Conference and Multicultural Institute program reviewer, chair of the Region II Latino Knowledge Community, New Jersey representative, membership coordinator, AVP Cohort Connections co-facilitator for Region I and Region II, and as a NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Mentor. In 2021, he received the Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA, named in honor of former chair of the NASPA Board of Directors (1958- 1959). The award honors a NASPA Region II member who has served in leadership roles at the state, regional, national, and/or international levels of NASPA for a sustained period of time and recognizes outstanding achievement to the student affairs profession and Region II over an extended period.
During his more than 20-year tenure at William Paterson, Díaz has held a number of administrative roles. He joined the University in 2001 as director of campus activities and student leadership. He was named assistant vice president for campus life in 2005, and was promoted to associate vice president for campus life in 2013. Díaz has supervised a wide variety of student-centered departments and initiatives, including Campus Activities, Service and Leadership, Commuter Services, Financial Aid, Greek Life, Hospitality Services, LGBTQA Programs, Orientation, Student Conduct, the Student Government Association, Veteran and Military Affairs, and the Women’s Center.
Over the course of his 37-year career that has spanned both public and private, community and four-year institutions in New Jersey, Florida, and New York, Díaz has directed a wide range of services, including advisement, leadership development, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, tutoring, theme celebrations, commencement, and various student cohort programs. Through his work in the field and through membership in professional organizations including NASPA, National Orientation Directors Association, National Association of Medical Minority Educators, and the North American Association for Commencement Officers, among others, Díaz has mentored students, new professionals, and mid-career professionals as they enter, adjust and/or expand their careers in higher education. He is a graduate of William Paterson with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in communication arts.
01/28/25
