Gansemer-Topf recognized with NASPA Pillars of the Profession Award  

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University School of Education Director and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor, Ann Gansemer-Topf, received a prestigious Pillars of the Profession award by the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Foundation.

The award is one of NASPA’s highest honors, recognizing individuals who have served as leaders, mentors, and scholars in student affairs and higher education.

She was honored at the NASPA Awards Celebration on March 18, 2025, as part of the organization’s annual conference.

Gansemer-Topf spent two decades of her career as a student affairs practitioner in residence life, admissions, orientation, academic advising, and institutional research. She then transitioned to academic affairs.

Nominated by her peers, she was recognized for her ability to foster collaboration between academic and student affairs. She has also significantly advanced the field of student affairs through research focused on student success, assessment and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Gansemer-Topf also elevates the student affairs profession through her mentorship of future faculty and student affairs professionals.

As part of her acceptance remarks, she shared, “I am both honored and overwhelmed to receive this award. As I think about a pillar, I am reminded that it does not exist unless it has a strong foundation on which to stand.”

She credits her strong network of mentors, colleagues, family, friends and the NASPA organization for the support they have provided throughout her career.

Gansemer-Topf has further contributed to the student affairs profession through NASPA as a leader on the NASPA Executive Board, Director and Secretary of the NASPA Faculty Council, and a member of the Future of Student Affairs Task Force, The Placement Exchange Task Force Review and ACPA/NASPA Professional Competency Task Force.

About NASPA®

NASPA® is the leading professional association for student affairs in higher education and is comprised of over 15,000 members and 1,200 institutions across the globe.