Professional Association Exploration

I chose to research NASPA, AAUW, and NODA to compare membership benefits, the purpose of each association, and the cost of membership at graduate student and professional levels.

Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA Region II)

Website: https://www.naspa.org/constituent-groups/regions/region-two

NASPA is a large professional network with over 15,000 members and helps connect different levels of professionals regionally and internationally. This association is focused on the advancement, health, and sustainability of student affairs and improving the student learning experience. NASPA offers professional development opportunities, volunteering and engagement, and promotes continued learning with access to research and publications. The cost of membership is $37 annually for graduate students or $75 annually for administrators or staff of a member institution. Member benefits include discounted registration to NASPA events and conferences. It also includes professional development opportunities, such as presenting at a conference or workshop, access to an online member directory for networking, access to scholarly journals, and the ability to participate in awards processes.

American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Website: https://www.aauw.org

The AAUW is an activism and advocacy association that fights educational and economic barriers often faced by women. It seeks to unite advocates around issues such as civil rights and diversity, economic security, gender-equitable education, and enforcement of Title IX laws. The association provides training, networking, and leadership opportunities to support and empower women. Current undergraduate and graduate students can receive free e-student memberships while attending a member college or university. Graduate students or new professionals may be interested in joining the Younger Women’s Task Force for $29.50. The cost of membership for faculty or staff to become a national member is $59 annually. Membership benefits include discounts on travel services, insurance, prescriptions, and other items in addition to access to a community of members, notifications about activism opportunities, and education and training programs.

Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education (NODA Region IX)

Website: https://www.nodaweb.org

NODA provides manuals, webinars, and professional development and leadership opportunities with a focus on orientation, transition, and student retention. Some specialized networks within NODA include First Generation Students, GLTBA, Non-Traditional Students, and International Students. Additionally, there are networks for institution type or size, such as Large Institutions and Two-Year Institutions. The cost of membership is $60 annually for graduate or undergraduate students or $160 annually for professional members. Student member benefits include access to internships, free online webinars and presentations, discounts on conference registration, and access to publications, databases, and resource libraries. Professional member benefits are similar to those of students plus include professional development and leadership opportunities such as a mentoring program.

Overall, the membership fees for these associations are reasonable and are particularly affordable for students. While there is some general overlap in the populations served and missions of these associations (e.g., student learning, connecting a large network of professionals, and supporting under-served or underrepresented populations), each association has unique programs, events, and initiatives to help support their mission. The importance of professional development and continued learning for career advancement and better serving institutions and students is evident across all three organizations.