Learn More About NAPAHE
Supporting a senior leader requires discretion, adaptability, and strategic insight. NAPAHE serves as the premier professional home for individuals who support higher education’s top executives.
Thank You!
On behalf of NAPAHE, thank you for reading our correspondence and for stopping by our site. As Chair of NAPAHE's Board, I’ve seen how transformative it is when executive support professionals are connected to a national network of peers who understand this work. I invite you to explore how NAPAHE can support the dedicated professionals who support you.
By encouraging your assistant to join NAPAHE, you will enable them to connect with fellow professionals and find resources that will serve them in their unique role. When your executive support professionals grow in capacity, your office gains efficiency, clarity, and strategic lift.
We hope you will consider joining us.
Rolanda C Burney, Ph.D.
Chair, NAPAHE Board of Directors
Chief Administrative Officer/Chief of Staff
Emory College of Arts and Sciences
Support the Team That Supports Your Leadership
Equipping your executive staff with NAPAHE’s training and network directly enhances your ability to lead, communicate, and execute institutional priorities. NAPAHE offers programming, networking, and professional development opportunities that address the broad range of roles fulfilled by our members in service to those who support higher education's senior leaders. Every role showcased below represents a mission‑critical partner in advancing your agenda; NAPAHE strengthens their ability to support you with excellence.
Office of the President/Chancellor/CEO
As a trusted partner to the president or chancellor, your role requires discretion, agility, and strategic insight. NAPAHE connects you with peers who understand the unique pressures and opportunities of working at the highest level of institutional leadership. Through professional development, networking, and shared best practices, NAPAHE helps you stay ahead of the curve and amplify your impact. You’re not alone in this work: NAPAHE is your professional home.
Chiefs of Staff
Chiefs of staff operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, and leadership. NAPAHE offers a national network of professionals who understand the complexity of your role and the importance of leading from behind. Whether you're navigating institutional change, managing executive priorities, or building cross-campus alignment, NAPAHE provides the tools, insights, and community to help you lead with confidence and clarity.
Office of the Provost/CAO
Supporting the academic heart of the institution requires a deep understanding of academic affairs, governance, and faculty relations. NAPAHE offers a space where assistants to provosts can share strategies, troubleshoot challenges, and grow professionally. You’ll gain access to a network of colleagues who understand the nuances of your role and are committed to excellence in academic leadership support.
Office of the Vice President
Whether you support advancement, student affairs, finance, or another division, your role is essential to the success of institutional leadership. NAPAHE connects you with a diverse community of professionals who share your commitment to operational excellence and strategic support. Through tailored resources and peer learning, NAPAHE helps you navigate the complexities of your division and grow in your career.
Office of the Dean
You are the linchpin of your college or school, balancing academic priorities with administrative demands. NAPAHE provides a supportive network where assistants to deans can exchange ideas, solve problems, and build leadership capacity. With access to professional development and a community that understands your world, NAPAHE helps you thrive in your role and contribute meaningfully to your academic unit’s success.
Board Professionals & Secretaries
Your work ensures the integrity of governance and the effectiveness of board operations. NAPAHE offers a unique space for board professionals and university secretaries to connect, share governance best practices, and stay informed on evolving trends in higher education leadership. You’ll find a community that values your expertise and supports your critical role in institutional stewardship.
Assistants to Other Senior Leaders
No matter the title or office, if you support a senior leader, your work is vital to the institution’s success. NAPAHE recognizes the diversity of these roles and offers a welcoming, inclusive community where you can grow professionally, share experiences, and find support. You’ll gain tools and connections that help you navigate leadership dynamics and elevate your contributions.
What Your Team Will Gain by Joining
NAPAHE members don’t just get access: they gain an edge. Our benefits are tailored to the unique needs of professionals who stand beside leadership every day.
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A Trusted Network – Connect with peers who understand the nuances of your role.
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Exclusive Learning Opportunities – Stay ahead with targeted webinars and leadership-focused workshops.
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Signature Annual Conference – Join 450+ colleagues for professional development, networking, and inspiration.
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Career Growth & Mentorship – Explore leadership pathways and learn from seasoned professionals.
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Enhanced Executive Office Capacity – Improve workflow, decision support, communication clarity, and leadership continuity across your executive suite.
Above: Video Testimonial from Dr. Amy Novak, President of St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University.
"My staff's involvement with NAPAHE ensures they are connected with others who understand the challenges of working with university leaders in this ever-changing and complex higher education environment."
Give Your Team the Support They Need
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How does NAPAHE membership work?
Membership levels begin with a single NAPAHE membership for $225. From there, additional people from the same campus may be added for $75 each.
Spread the Word
Though NAPAHE's official name has the word Presidential Assistant in it, NAPAHE serves more than just assistants to presidents/chancellors. In fact, NAPAHE serves ANY professional that supports an executive leader in higher education.
Please help spread the word about NAPAHE to those at your institution who might benefit from the resources, support, and connection that our association provides. As a president or chancellor, your endorsement is often the reason staff engage in high-impact professional development; your encouragement carries tremendous weight.
“I was lucky enough to be encouraged to join NAPAHE early in my career as a Provost’s Assistant, even though I am not a PA, because my Provost had good experiences with the organization. I have attended every conference since I started in 2013 and have learned so much (with options in every session that interest me). I benefit from great networking and many opportunities for professional development. One of my favorite parts about NAPAHE are the monthly affinity groups by position type where we meet virtually to continue networking and building community. NAPAHE informs my work at Western Washington University and offers me professional development opportunities within the organization itself. I love serving on the Conference Planning Committee and Communications Committee. It is such a valuable organization full of people who understand and support the work we do.”
Melinda Assink
Executive Assistant to the Provost
Western Washington University