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Francisco Díaz, associate vice president for student development at William Paterson University, has been named a 2027 NASPA Foundation Pillars of the Profession honoree, presented by NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The awards will be presented at the NASPA Annual Conference in March 2027.
The NASPA Pillars of the Profession awards honor professionals who have provided significant service to NASPA through regional and/or national leadership roles; created a lasting impact on the institutions or organizations at which they have worked, leaving a legacy of extraordinary service recognized by a cross-section of institutional/organizational stakeholders; and/or have demonstrated sustained, lifetime professional distinction in the field of student affairs and/or higher education.
“I am humbled by this recognition and honored to join such a distinguished class of Pillars,” says Díaz “Throughout my career, I have tried never to lose sight of why we do this work—the students we have the privilege to support and mentor, and the relationships that have brought me tremendous joy and made me a better individual and educator.”
“Francisco's selection as a NASPA Pillars of the Profession honoree is a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional leadership, commitment to student success, and lasting contributions to higher education,” says Mel Johnson-Norwood, vice president for student development. “Although I have had the opportunity to work with Francisco for only a short time, it was immediately clear why he is so highly respected across the profession. His unwavering commitment to students, thoughtful leadership, and genuine care for others are evident in everything he does. The Division of Student Development is proud to celebrate this honor, which is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary impact he has had on countless students, colleagues, and institutions throughout his career.”
Díaz, who has been a member of NASPA since the late 1990s, currently serves as director of NASPA Region II and a member of the NASPA Board of Directors. Díaz, who has been a member of NASPA since the late 1990s, currently serves as director of NASPA Region II and as a member of the NASPA Board of Directors. Throughout his involvement with the organization, he has contributed in numerous capacities, including as a program reviewer, presenter, facilitator, and conference contributor, as well as through service on commissions, implementation teams, and various committees. Most recently, he has participated in an array of national and regional sessions, including Working in Higher Education con Salsa y Sabor: Leading with Culture, Comunidad, and Corazón; Thriving Amid Identity Politics: Leadership Strategies for Student Affairs Professionals; and Charting Your Course: Job Search Wisdom from Higher Ed Professionals. He also contributed a featured sidebar to the Summer 2026 issue of Leadership Exchange, offering guidance to vice presidents for student affairs on using NASPA’s Student Affairs Value and Worth Toolkit to strengthen institutional narratives about the value of higher education.
His longstanding contributions to NASPA have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Region II Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service and national recognition from the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community with awards for Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer and Outstanding Service. Through his leadership and engagement, he has mentored and supported countless students and professionals, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing the field and developing the next generation of higher education leaders.
During his more than 25-year tenure at William Paterson, Díaz has held a number of administrative roles and currently serves as associate vice president for student development. In this role, he provides strategic oversight to a broad portfolio that includes Athletics and Recreation; Campus Activities, Service and Leadership; Greek Life; Student Center Operations; Parent and Family Relations; the Student Government Association; and Veteran and Military Affairs, as well as major institutional traditions such as Commencement, Welcome Day, and Homecoming and Family Day.
Beyond his current responsibilities, Díaz has helped advance major institutional initiatives focused on student success and engagement. His contributions include co-leading the University’s three-year strategic plan pillar addressing student attrition, chairing its Hispanic Serving Institution Taskforce, reshaping orientation and family engagement, and expanding civic engagement and campus traditions. He has secured more than $1 million in grants, fundraising, and other external support for student programs, leadership initiatives, and violence prevention efforts, while helping mobilize the campus community in service to local and global needs.
Over his four-decade career, Díaz has served at public and private, community and four-year institutions in New Jersey, Florida, and New York, leading programs and services across a broad range of student affairs areas. In addition to his extensive involvement with NASPA, he has been actively engaged with other higher education associations, including the National Orientation Directors Association, National Association of Medical Minority Educators, and North American Association for Commencement Officers, contributing through leadership, professional development, mentorship, and the advancement of student affairs practice.
Díaz is a graduate of William Paterson, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in communication and a master’s degree in communication arts.
