Welcome ASCA's Assistant Executive Director
Amanda Mesirow (she/hers) has nearly 20 years of student affairs experience in residence life, student life, and conduct, and has worked on large public, small private, and religiously affiliated campuses, most recently as the Coordinator, Code of Conduct at Moraine Valley Community College. She is currently ABD at Illinois State University in the Education Administration and Foundations — Higher Education Administration doctoral program, where her research focuses on whiteness in community college conduct systems. She has been an active member of ASCA since 2015, with experience co-chairing and serving on committees, writing, presenting, and volunteering.
Mesirow earned her MS in Counseling and Educational Psychology from Kansas State University, She has presented and published numerous times, most often on topics of social justice and inclusiveness, campus threat assessment and safety, and crisis management. Mesirow is a professional keynote and workshop speaker and has had the honor of professional engagements with multiple campuses and organizations. She also co-authored a chapter and wrote a case study for the book "Conduct and Community: A Residence Life Practitioner's Guide" (2018), co-published by the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) and the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I). As an open and proud queer, Jewish, and disabled person, she is dedicated to advocating for justice, using both her oppressed and privileged identities to fight for change.
Mesirow is devoted to the many “littles” in her life, her nieces and nephews, and works to “make the world safe and sound” for them.
Amanda's role as Assistant Executive Director begins March 31, 2023. We are thrilled to have her transition from the volunteer side of ASCA to the Central Office team!