Keynote Panel

Dr. Laura De Veau, Ed.D

Laura A. De Veau, Ed.D., is a dynamic higher education professional with over three decades of experience in administration and leadership. As the Principal and Founder of Fortify Associates, LLC, a boutique consulting firm in Newton, Massachusetts, she specializes in optimizing mission-driven organizations through strategic planning, training, and organizational development.

Dr. De Veau's career in higher education began in 1989, culminating in her role as Vice President for Student Affairs at Mount Ida College from 2013 to 2018. Her extensive portfolio included oversight of 23 functional areas, from Residential & Campus Life to Intercollegiate Athletics. Throughout her career, she has held positions at several prestigious institutions, including Endicott College, Babson College, Indiana University of PA, and Boston University.

Currently, Dr. De Veau serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Boston College's Lynch School of Education and Human Development, teaching graduate courses in Student Affairs Administration, Field Experience, and Student Development Theory. She also teaches at Boston University's Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, focusing on Strategic Planning, Enrollment Management, and Contemporary Issues in Higher Education].

A multifaceted professional, Dr. De Veau is also:

• A former stand-up comedian and sought-after presenter
• Creator of the popular Substack newsletter "What's Up in the Academy?"
• Host of the podcast "Office Hours with Dr. De Veau"
• Soon-to-be host of a new podcast "What's Your Major?" launching in January 2025

Her contributions to the field have been recognized with multiple awards from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), including the 2023 Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education award. Dr. De Veau has also served as faculty for NASPA's prestigious institutes (The Manicur Symposium and the New SSAO Institute) and participated in their advocacy initiatives in Washington, D.C.

Beyond higher education, Dr. De Veau is passionate about advocacy. She has been recognized as a Champion for Change by the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center and served on the Board of Directors of the Boston Gay Men's Chorus for eight years, becoming the first straight woman to serve as its President.

Dr. De Veau's expertise extends to politics, having served on the campaign staff for Jon Ossoff's 2020 Senate run and held volunteer leadership positions in various high-profile political campaigns.

With her unique blend of academic expertise, leadership experience, and creative pursuits, Dr. Laura A. De Veau continues to make significant contributions to higher education and beyond.

• Ed.D. Northeastern University, Higher Education Administration (2021) Dissertation: “What Happens to Us When We Close?” An Interpretive Phenomenological Study of Mount Ida College Students’ Lived Experiences After Institutional Closure”
• M.Ed. Boston University, Higher Education Administration (1994)
• B.S. Journalism (1989)

Dr. Mamta Accapadi

Dr. Mamta Motwani Accapadi is a mom first. She currently spends most of her time in a dance studio, or on the floor… figuring out high school AP assignments with her daughter, Saaya. She has been known to jump into spontaneous Bollywood dance choreography in public places much to the embarrassment of her daughter.

Mamta is a member of Huron Consulting, where she works as a Higher Education Consulting Director. Prior to this role, Mamta served in a variety of roles in higher education over the past 25 years. Most recently, she was the Vice Provost for University Life at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to that role, she was Vice President for Student Affairs at Rollins College- and was the first person and woman of color Vice President in the history of that institution. She has served as a leader and educator at Oregon State University, University of Houston, Schreiner University, and The University of Texas at Austin.

Mamta is recognized for her impact in higher education- particularly for her sustained leadership and focus on advancing social justice and equity issues for historically and systemically under-represented communities. In 2020, Mamta was recognized as one of the top 35 women leaders in higher education by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

She attended The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, as well as a master’s and Ph.D. in higher education administration.

Dr. Brian McGowan

Brian L. McGowan, Ph. D., is a Professor of Education at American University. He recently served as Associate Director at the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning, where he spearheaded numerous faculty development initiatives. As an equity-minded scholar-practitioner, Brian is dedicated to enhancing the material conditions of racially and ethnically minoritized students and faculty who are often underrepresented, misunderstood, marginalized, and rendered invisible.

He has co-edited two books, including Men and Masculinities: Theoretical Foundations and Promising Practices for Supporting College Men's Developing (Stylus) and Black Men in the Academy: Narratives of Resiliency, Achievement, and Success (Palgrave MacMilllan). His scholarship includes over 40 publications, and he has secured more than $2.4 million in grants from national organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Prior to becoming a faculty member, Dr. McGowan was a student affairs practitioner with professional experiences in housing and resident life.

Dr. Paige Haber-Curran

Page Haber-Curran, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) is a professor and program coordinator for the Student Affairs in Higher Education master's program at Texas State University. In 2018 she served as a Fullbright Scholar in Austria. Paige earned her MA in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland and her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego.

Her research and scholarly work focuses on college student leadership development, gender and leadership, emotionally intelligent leadership, and student-centered pedagogy.