Every person at a student-serving educational institution or organization can be impacted by the conduct system, whether as a referral agent or reporting party, an advisor, a support person for students, or a member of the campus or organization’s community. While conduct work is centered in due process and moving towards a more just framework, practitioners recognize our foundation in the inequitable and unjust systems in the United States. This session will guide educators through a past-present-future approach, empowering them to examine the historical roots of white supremacy in education, recognize current practices that continue to criminalize students, and envision a future that embraces restorative practices for a more just and inclusive system. Through recent and groundbreaking research, publications and resources from content experts, and promising practices from equity-minded colleagues, the presenters will describe how we can move conduct practice from a punitive one to an inclusive and restorative one. Attendees will also receive tangible resources from ASCA for use on their own campuses and organizations and to protect the rights of students and their communities.

Presenters & Bios:

Erika Crawley, M.S. (She/Her/Sis)

Erika Crawley is a seasoned leader in higher education with a decade of experience across various student affairs roles nationwide. Holding a B.A. from Bethune-Cookman University and an M.S. in Education from the University of Southern Maine, she runs an education consultancy focused on preparing prospective students and empowering current college students to successfully navigate their collegiate experience - from application to graduation.

Erika's expertise includes Conflict Resolution, Housing and Residence Life, Student Organization Advising, Student Conduct, and Student Program Assessment. Her work spans Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Ivy League, and other institutions, where she’s committed to enhancing student success and fostering inclusive environments.

At Cornell University, Erika serves as an Assistant Director for Student Conduct & Community Standards, the Women’s Representative for the Employee Assembly (2023-2026), and Chair for the Employee Assembly (2024-2025). She is actively involved with the Association for Student Conduct Administration, currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Equity & Inclusion Committee. Erika also serves as a thought partner with resolvED. Contact: ec754@cornell.edu 

Dr. Amanda J. Mesirow (She/Her)

Amanda currently serves as the Assistant Executive Director for the Association of Student Conduct Administration (ASCA). She earned her PhD in Educational Administration and Foundations from Illinois State University, with a research focus on whiteness in community college conduct systems. Mesirow earned her MS in Counseling and Educational Psychology from Kansas State University, 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. Mesirow has presented and published numerous times, most often on topics of social justice and conduct practices, and presents professionally through AJM Keynotes and Workshops. 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 ASCA and ACUHO-I, and was an author and editor for ASCA’s Case Study Resource book (2024). As a conduct practitioner, Mesirow championed multiple equity initiatives to create a conduct system that is just and inclusive. Additionally, Mesirow is involved in the community through Jewish Voice for Peace, prison solidarity projects, and the Point Foundation. She is proudly queer, disabled, and Jewish, and uses both her privileged and oppressed identities to fight for justice. Contact: aed@theasca.org