Dr. Kristin Ridge, CASEd, CSAEd-SC is thrilled to return to the 2026 ASCA Conference Committee as Chair of the Professional Growth Committee. She is the Associate Dean of Students, Community Standards, at the University of Rhode Island. Kristin oversees the Office of Community Standards, serves on the Behavioral Intervention Team, the Sexual Assault Response Team, and the Rhody F1irst Team, supporting first-generation college students. Kristin has worked in higher education for over 20 years, primarily in Housing and Residence Life and Student Conduct.

Proudly first-generation, Kristin holds bachelor’s degrees in English & American Literature and Russian Language Studies from NYU, a master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration from NYU, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Johnson & Wales University. Her dissertation, “Equity in Student Affairs for First-Generation College Students,” was named the Dissertation of the Year by ASCA in 2025.

Kristin has a certification in Student Affairs Law & Policy from NASPA, a certificate from the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business, for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace, and Core and Student Conduct certifications from the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification. This spring she co-wrote and co-facilitated a new curriculum for SC201, Crisis Management and Collaboration, and will welcome Region 11 colleagues to URI for the New England Conduct Officers Institute in August. She lives in Rhode Island with her family.

Extended Committee – Gavrielle Jacobson

Gavrielle Jacobson currently serves as the Assistant Director of Residence Life at Virginia Wesleyan University, where she plays a key role in overseeing the residential student conduct process, managing Resident Assistants and Village Coordinators, and enhancing the overall residential experience.

Originally from southern New Jersey, Gavrielle’s background in student conduct began during her graduate assistantship in the University of South Carolina’s Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, where she served as the Graduate Assistant for Academic Integrity. During her time there, she developed USC’s first Artificial Intelligence Module to address AI-related academic integrity violations.

She recently served as a Bracewell Conference Intern for ASCA, supporting the planning and execution of the 2025 Annual Conference, and is excited to continue her involvement with the association.

Gavrielle holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina and a B.A. in Sociology from Appalachian State University.

In her free time, Gavrielle enjoys exploring hiking trails, reading, and spending time with her cat, Winnie.

Extended Committee – Aaron Lash Jr.

Aaron Lash Jr. proudly represents “America’s Finest City,” San Diego, California, combining its charm with a touch of southern hospitality. Aaron earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology (Social Service Track) from California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and a Master of Education degree in Higher Educational Leadership from Valdosta State University (VSU).

Currently, Aaron serves as the Associate Dean of Students for the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) at Duke University. Aaron strongly believes in finding beauty in struggle, strength in vulnerability, and resilience. Aaron asserts that students are not inherently bad; like all people, they experience difficult moments. In his free time, Aaron enjoys binge-watching a variety of TV shows, traveling, attending concerts, and supporting the Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Heat.