Member Achievements – May 2026

Lonnie Brown Jr.
(Emory University)

Lonnie Brown Jr. has been named the Kean Family Dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law, bringing decades of distinguished experience in legal education, leadership, and practice. Brown previously served as dean of the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law and spent more than 20 years on the faculty at the University of Georgia School of Law. Before entering academia, he practiced with Alston & Bird, where he served as both associate and partner. A respected scholar and educator, Brown is recognized for his commitment to academic excellence, student success, and expanding opportunity within legal education as he begins this new chapter at Temple University.

Stephen Di Dio
(Marymount Manhattan College)

Stephen Di Dio has been selected for the 2026–2027 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a prestigious leadership program preparing the next generation of community college presidents. The fellowship is part of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship initiative, which has supported more than 500 higher education leaders nationwide, many of whom now serve as community college presidents. Recognized for his leadership potential and commitment to student success, Di Dio joins a distinguished network of educators and changemakers dedicated to advancing opportunity, strengthening institutions, and shaping the future of higher education through innovative and student-centered leadership.

Chad Eggleston
(Samford University)

Chad Eggleston has been selected for the 2026–2027 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a nationally recognized leadership program designed to prepare the next generation of community college presidents. Part of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship initiative, the program has supported hundreds of higher education leaders committed to advancing student success and institutional innovation across the country. Eggleston was selected for his commitment to student-centered leadership and advancing opportunity within higher education, joining a distinguished network of changemakers working to strengthen access, opportunity, and outcomes for students through collaborative and innovative leadership.

Mary Dana Hinton
(Hollins University)

Mary Dana Hinton, president of Hollins University, will publish her new book, Where Love Leads: Leadership and the Liberal Arts, exploring leadership grounded in courage, compassion, curiosity, and human connection. Hinton, also author of Leading From the Margins: College Leadership From Unexpected Places, draws on her experience as a higher education leader to examine how liberal arts education shapes ethical, empathetic, and purpose-driven leaders. Through reflections on dignity, accountability, and community, the book encourages readers to consider how love and humanity shape the way they lead others. Hinton’s work continues to inspire conversations around leadership, education, and the power of building communities where individuals can flourish.

Chad Huckaby
(Stephen F. Austin State University)

Chad Huckaby was sworn in for his third term on the Nacogdoches City Council, where he represents the Southeast Ward. Throughout his service, Huckaby has remained committed to strengthening the Nacogdoches community through civic leadership, public engagement, and advocacy for local residents. His reelection reflects the trust and confidence constituents and community partners place in his leadership. As a public servant, Huckaby has worked to support initiatives that enhance quality of life and foster growth throughout the city while continuing a longstanding dedication to service and community impact.

José Sánchez Menchén
(University of Richmond)

José Sánchez Menchén has received both the Outstanding Student in Mathematics Award and the prestigious V.S. Lawrence Scholarship from the university’s Department of Mathematics. Recognized for his academic excellence and dedication to the discipline, Sánchez Menchén has distinguished himself through his commitment to rigorous scholarship and intellectual curiosity. He credits the support of professors, classmates, and friends for helping shape his journey in a field he describes as both deeply meaningful and highly challenging. These honors reflect his passion for mathematics and dedication to academic excellence.

McKayla Milam
(Young Harris College)

McKayla Milam published her debut book, Still a Virgin for All the Wrong Reasons, through her self-founded publishing company, Black Girl Therapy LLC, in February 2026. In the deeply personal work, Milam shares an honest account of navigating faith, identity, cultural pressures, and healing while seeking purpose and acceptance as a young woman. More than a story about purity, the book explores resilience, spiritual growth, and the pursuit of victory over shame and insecurity. Through vulnerable storytelling and reflection, Milam encourages young people wrestling with identity, self-worth, and belonging to find hope, healing, and confidence in their journeys.

Emma Monroe
(Louisiana State University)

Emma Monroe has been recognized as one of LSU’s 2026 Tiger Twelve, an honor celebrating exceptional leadership, scholarship, and service. A Magna Cum Laude graduate in political science, Monroe concentrated in international politics and law, and American government while serving as an Eric Voegelin Institute Research Scholar. During her time at LSU, she organized the university’s first Women’s Professional Development Workshop to expand mentorship and leadership opportunities for students. Monroe also chaired a citywide 5K race that raised more than $93,000 for Preventing Child Abuse and the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. She additionally received the Arden O. French Leadership Award and Mary Frey Eaton Community Service Award through Omicron Delta Kappa.

Sarp Sahin
(Washington and Lee University)

Sarp Sahin received a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom this fall. A dedicated scholar with a strong passion for neuroscience research, Sahin was also awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship in 2024, becoming Washington and Lee’s first sophomore recipient of the honor since 2009. Recognized for his academic excellence and research potential, Sahin continues to distinguish himself through his commitment to advancing scientific understanding and pursuing opportunities that bridge research, medicine, and global collaboration.

Charlie Sloop
(Virginia Tech)

Charlie Sloop has been recognized with the Max Raines Award for Outstanding First-Year Student from the Student Affairs Administration master’s program at Michigan State University. Established in 1993, the award honors excellence and promise within the field of student affairs. Sloop, who serves in the Office of Spartan Experiences, has embraced opportunities to foster innovative, human-centered student engagement while building strong connections within the higher education community. Sloop credits mentors, faculty, peers, and colleagues across the country for shaping his journey and inspiring his continued commitment to student leadership and success.

Nathan Stuewe
(Concordia University Irvine)

Nathan Stuewe has earned multiple honors recognizing his academic achievement, leadership, and service to the university community. Stuewe received the senior award in Business Finance and was honored for two years of dedicated service as a student leader. He was also selected for the prestigious Outstanding Senior Award for the Class of 2026, an honor celebrating exemplary achievement and impact across campus. Through his commitment to leadership and involvement, Stuewe has distinguished himself as a student dedicated to serving others, fostering community, and making a lasting impact at Concordia University Irvine.

Yashwant Prakash Vyas
(National Circle)

Yashwant Prakash Vyas, Director of the Aulbani J. Beauregard Center for Equity, Justice, and Freedom at the University of New Hampshire, has earned two prestigious honors from leading higher education associations: the Innovation in Academic Support Award from ACPA and the Doris Michiko Ching Award for Excellence as a Student Affairs Professional from NASPA. A nationally recognized practitioner-scholar, Vyas has built high-impact student success programs across four R1 public flagship institutions, with expertise spanning multicultural programs, first-generation student initiatives, and leadership development. His work expanding postsecondary access and fostering belonging reflects a career devoted to aligning institutional structures with student needs.