2024 Achievement Award Honorees

Dave DeAngelis is an Associate Dean at Suffolk University and has worked in different roles since November 2007. He provides leadership for the engagement areas, including Student Leadership and Involvement, Center for Community Engagement, Orientation and New Student Programs, Performing Arts Office, and The Journey Leadership program. Additionally, he advises the Student Government Association and Graduate Student Association. Before Suffolk, Dave held administrative roles at Texas A&M University, Quinnipiac University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, UMass Lowell, and Bridgewater State University. Dave received a B.S. in geography from Plymouth State University (N.H.) and a master’s degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. Dave has served in different NACA volunteer roles with NACA since 1997 and is a former chair of the NACA Board of Directors and currently serves on the NACA Foundation Board of Trustees.

Greg Diekroeger recently retired as Director of Campus Activities and Student Engagement from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. His career spanned 34 years in which he worked with thousands of students, presented hundreds of events and signed even more contracts. Greg has been a long time volunteer with NACA with a broad spectrum of experiences. He focused on national showcases, coordinating summer workshops and being a member of the board of directors; serving as chair in 2006-2007. He is a recipient of the Association’s highest honor, the Founders Award. Currently, Greg is doing all of the “fun” aspects of campus activities managing events and booking entertainment for select clients.

Rich Ramos recently left his position as Associate Dean of Students/Director of Student Activities after 35 years of service to Simpson College in Indianola, IA. Rich left his position to work as an independent contractor in large scale event management and event management consulting. During his time at Simpson College, Rich held a number of volunteer positions in NACA on the regional and national level. Rich credits NACA with providing him the opportunities to expand and build on his skills and NACA has always been his professional home. Rich currently still lives in Indianola, IA but spends the bulk of his time on the road managing concerts and events across the country.

Kate Magill started out as a comedian in the New York City area in the late eighties when there were A, B and C level rooms. (C  level was scary). She served as the Secretary of the Professional Comedians Association which was an organization run by comedians for comedians. Soon after, she became President of the PCA, as it became known, where they produced a monthly newsletter and had a group insurance plan. She signed on with an agency and after working there for 7 years, she decided to start her own agency, Sophie K Entertainment, focusing on female comedians to help raise their profile in a male dominated industry. 
Since opening her doors in 1999, she’s started out on the college market Lewis Black, Hasan Minhaj, Phoebe Robinson, Mike Birbiglia, Matt Rife, John Mulaney, Dan Ahdoot, Steve Byrne, Demetri Martin, Kumail Nanjiani, Eric Andre, Michelle Buteau, Amy Schumer, and many, many more.

Telvin James is the Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Leadership and an Adjunct Instructor teaching University 100 at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Telvin is a native of Texarkana, Texas. He is a two-time graduate, receiving his bachelor's degree from Henderson State University, and master’s degree in Higher Education: Administration from Texas A&M-Commerce. Telvin is well-versed in higher education with experiences in admissions and student affairs. Telvin is fully committed to student success and building a firm foundation of engagement on campus. Telvin’s compassion and commitment to help college students is the epitome of his character.

A proud native, born and raised in the DC Metropolitan area, Cateatra D. Mallard (she/her/hers), serves as the Director of the Center for Student Engagement & Leadership at Jackson State University, an Historical Black College & University (HBCU) in Jackson, Mississippi. She has served in this role since October 2022. She oversees the Weeks of Welcome, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, Royal Court, Leadership Programming and much more. Inclusive to her graduate experiences, she has dedicated ten (10) years to student engagement, campus involvement, and contributing to students' lives.

Aside from her current occupation, she has volunteered with NACA for years in various national and regional roles, she also serves as the Diversity Advisory Group Chair as well as a member of National Showcase Selection Committee. Cateatra is passionate about her students, loves programming and being able to coach and mentor students in conceptualizing ideas to life in a bold, dynamic, and innovative manner that enhances their collegiate experience.

Stephen Rogers is an Assistant Director of Student Engagement at Collin College-Plano Campus, and his role includes student activities, leadership, new student orientation, student organizations, ID production, and advising student government.  Stephen has worked with the Collin College student government for over 5 years and saw the chapter grow from just officers to being recognized as the Texas Junior College Student Government Association (TJCSGA) Chapter of the Year in 2021. He also served as the TJCSGA State Advisor-Elect, TJCSGA Region 2 Co-Advisor, and the TJCSGA Advisors’ Association President. Stephen graduated from Dallas College-Mountain View, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Arkansas Tech University, and Southern Methodist University. Stephen’s involvement with NACA has included serving as a Student Government Institute Facilitator, participating in the Mid-Level Professional Course, and serving on the Student Affairs Educator Certification Campus Activities Specialty Committee.

Jarrick Brown (he/him/his), a dynamic individual shaping the student experience here at CU Denver. Jarrick is a graduate of THE Prairie View A&M University (HBCU outside of Houston) with a degree in mass communications with a focus in radio, television and film, a minor in social behavioral and political science, a master's degree in education administration and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree from the University of Southern Mississippi for higher education administration. Jarrick is a former 2-termed SGA Executive Vice President and served on the executive board of his Campus Activities Board. Currently within NACA, he serves in the esteemed position of Regional Leadership Team Chair for the Central Region and as a member of Diversity Advisory Group, where he brings his passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion to the forefront. In 2023, Jarrick was recognized with the Patsy Morley Outstanding Programmer Award. Jarrick is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and loves to cook, travel, and hang out with friends.

The Texas A&M - San Antonio Achievement Initiative for Minority Males seeks to increase retention, graduation, engagement, and overall success of ethnic minority males by providing life skills training and development for an improved educational experience and quality of life. During the program, participants are expected to increase their knowledge and skills in the following areas: Time Management; Academic and Leadership Development; Personal & Professional Branding; Mental & Physical Health; Financial Literacy; and Civic Responsibility.

Dr. Quantá Taylor currently serves as the Executive Director of Student Involvement at the University of Louisville. At UofL, he oversees the out of classroom experiences for all students ensuring they have appropriate and adequate opportunities for meaningful involvement, leadership development, and community engagement. Quantá has had numerous involvements throughout the association serving on institute staff, various work groups, and serving as a NACA liaison to the higher education consortium. Quanta has taught courses in leadership theory, organizational development, and educational law through the College of Education and Human Ecology at Ohio State and the College of Education and Human Development at UofL. 
Quanta received his undergraduate degrees in Cultural, Ethnic, and Racial Studies and Psychology from Transylvania University, he earned a master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State.  Quanta completed his doctoral work in Educational Studies, with a concentration in Higher Education Administration, also from The Ohio State University.