Cassie Gerhardt named ‘Pillar of the Profession’ by NASPA Foundation

UND’s Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Cassie Gerhardt, has been named a “Pillar of the Profession” by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Foundation.

NASPA is the national association for student affairs professionals.

Each year, the NASPA Foundation — the association’s fundraising organization — recognizes a series of distinguished individuals who have served as leaders, teachers and scholars in student affairs and higher education, according to its website.

The Pillar of the Profession Award honors student affairs professionals who:

• Have provided significant service to NASPA through regional and/or national leadership roles within the Association; and
• Have created a lasting impact on the institution(s)/organization(s) 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.

Gerhardt was previously recognized in 2023 with the AVP/Senior-Level Student Affairs Professional Award by Region IV-West of NASPA.

This latest distinction for Gerhardt comes after more than 23 years of student affairs service at UND, including as coordinator of Greek life — another role for which she won a national service award. She also holds two bachelor’s degrees and a doctorate from UND.

The Pillar of the Profession Award will be given to Gerhardt and 17 others at the 2026 NASPA Annual Conference, March 7-8.