Student Affairs Graduate Association

Meet the SAGA Team!

Hi y'all! We are the SAGA executive board! Thank you to all who have supported our program so far! Our program is unique in that it is designed for graduate students and their success, and we are a small but dedicated program. Each of us works on campus for an assistantship, but many do not provide enough professional development funds for conferences. Our organization aims to raise funds for professional development opportunities that align with our program. We would not be who we are without our support systems and our excellent alumni network. Thank you for supporting us, whether it's through financial contributions, online shares, or general moral support. We appreciate all of you! 

Who We Are

The Student Affairs Graduate Association is an organization run by graduate students in the Master's Program in Student Affairs. The purpose of this organization is to bring together the two-year cohorts to discuss current topics and issues in the Student Affairs world, share our experiences within the program, and support one another throughout our time at Iowa State.

Why We Are Fundraising

We aim to raise funds to offer more and better professional development opportunities, including conferences, guest speakers, and panel discussions. This is important to us, as we continually seek opportunities for our master's students to expand their knowledge and enhance their skills as Student Affairs professionals. Our cross-cohort days provide an opportunity for us to visit other colleges and universities, gain exposure to various student affairs programs, and experience how structures function on different campuses.

Meet the Faculty

To better understand the work we do, we'd like to introduce our faculty members and their areas of study. 

Dr. Ann Gansemer-Topf	Ann M. Gansemer-Topf, Ph.D. (she/her), is the Director of the School of Education and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor. Her research focuses on the micro (student) and macro (institutional, state, and federal) factors contributing to student success. She is also interested in using assessment methods to understand best practices for effective teaching and learning and program implementation.
Dr. Robert Reason	Robert D. Reason, Ph.D. (he/him) is Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs; he also serves as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs for the College of Human Sciences. Before assuming his current position at ISU, he was a faculty member at Penn State University from 2003-2011 and a research scientist at Penn State’s Center for the Study of Higher Education. Dr. Reason brings expertise in multi-institutional studies of student success, particularly the success of first-year students
Dr. Rachel Smith	Rachel A. Smith, Ph.D. (she/her), is Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and is currently serving as the Director of Graduate Education in the School of Education. She is interested in student transitions and practices that engage students in learning with their peers, faculty, and staff. Her research focuses on how colleges and universities can design environments where students form networks of academic and social relationships that facilitate involvement, learning, and success in college and afterward.
Dr. TJ Stewart	Terah (TJ) Stewart, Ph.D. (he/him), is Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Program Coordinator. His research broadly focuses on equity and justice in Higher Education. Specifically, he explores the realities of college students with stigmatized identities, including how identity informs their outcomes and structural barriers to their success and well-being. He also studies identity-based student activism and power-conscious approaches to research.
Dr. Lindsay Jarrat	Lindsay Jarratt, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She has 15 years of experience in student affairs and administration, including in residence life and assessment. Her research employs a sociological lens to examine how higher education structures and practices shape student experiences. She teaches classes on administration, academic issues, and student development. This is Lindsay's first year at Iowa State University; she is joining us from the University of Iowa but is excited to be a Cyclone!