As CUPA-HR kicks off a new year, meet the new members of the Member Engagement and Chapter Support councils for 2026-27 and join us in thanking those who served last year. The work of the Member Engagement Council and the Chapter Support Council has a real and lasting impact on the CUPA-HR member experience and on our chapters’ success. Council members, through their active participation and leadership, help CUPA-HR stay relevant and connected with the needs of our members.
2026-27 Member Engagement Council
The Member Engagement Council helps strengthen and grow CUPA-HR’s membership by enhancing member benefits, supporting recruitment and retention efforts, and promoting engagement across the association. It also partners with staff to develop outreach, content and activities that connect members year-round and at key events.
The chair of CUPA-HR’s Member Engagement Council for 2026-27 is Jennifer Addleman, assistant vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer at Rollins College. Addleman is a longtime member of CUPA-HR and has held leadership roles at all levels of the association. She was a member of the Florida Chapter board of directors from 2017 to 2020, serving as board president during the 2018-19 fiscal year. She also served on the Southern Region board as an at-large director and as chair-elect in 2024-25. At the national level, Addleman has been a member of CUPA-HR’s Learning and Professional Development and Public Policy committees in addition to serving as vice chair of the Member Engagement Council in 2025-26.
Also serving on this year’s Member Engagement Council are:
- Paul Grantham, Chair-Elect – Duke University
- Paula MacDonald, Past Chair – Swarthmore College
- Gian-Karlo Alvarez – University of Central Florida
- Jennifer Butler – University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Larry Cohen – Belmont University
- Amy Davis – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Amy Hall – Wake Technical Community College
- Becky Landry – Lone Star College System
- Bria Marcelo – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Courtney McCarthy – Yale University
- Karen McDonnell – Kennesaw State University
- Lara Nicolson – Goucher College
- Niki Norton – Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College – Baton Rouge
- Elizabeth Pae – University of Colorado Boulder
- Joanne Santarelli – Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Mark Schmelz – University of Oregon
- Mary Beth Walter – Wittenberg University
- Tasha Welsh – Jefferson College
- Taylor Zeilinger – University of Wisconsin-Madison
2026-27 Chapter Support Council
The Chapter Support Council provides tailored guidance and support to CUPA-HR chapters, helping strengthen operations, leadership and programming based on each chapter’s needs. Council members also build connections, share resources and partner with staff to deliver content and support for chapter leaders year-round.
The chair of CUPA-HR’s Chapter Support Council for 2026-27 is Natalie Trent, director of talent management at Grand Valley State University. Trent is an active member of CUPA-HR and has served in leadership roles at all levels of the association. She was a member of the Michigan Chapter board of directors from 2019 to 2022, culminating in a term as president during the 2020-21 fiscal year. She also served on the Midwest Region board as an at-large member and as chair-elect in 2024-25. At the national level, Trent has been a member of CUPA-HR’s Learning and Professional Development and Public Policy committees in addition to serving as vice chair of the Chapter Support Council in 2025-26. She was also selected to participate in the 2020-21 cohort of the Emerging CUPA-HR Leaders program.
Also serving on this year’s Chapter Support Council are:
- Mike Noll, Chair-Elect – University of Baltimore
- Heather Butterfield, Past Chair – St. Norbert College
- Melissa Breger – Colby College
- Joy Brownridge – University of Illinois System
- Cindy Cho – Stanford University
- Jenna Elmer – University of Arizona
- Patty Covington Flemming – University of California, Davis
- Brian Ford – University of Virginia
- Roberta Maldonado Franzen – Duke University
- Laura Hamilton – University of Washington
- Shelly Hammonds – University of Colorado Boulder
- Renee Hiller – St. Cloud State University
- TJ Jefferson – William & Mary
- Ayesha Kidd – College of Southern Nevada
- Vivian Lee – Stanford University
- Tracey Pritchard – University of Iowa
- Shannon Raum – Community College of Baltimore County
- Alan Toigo – University of Missouri
- Leslie Wilkins – Portland Community College
Thank You!
We also recognize the dedicated leaders completing their service, who have made a lasting impact on our profession and our association. We’re grateful for our leaders’ time, dedication and commitment. You make our mission possible.