The National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new officers and one new board member whose terms began at the 2025 NAEAA Annual Meeting, held at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, in June.

NAEAA Board of Directors

Chair: Grey Parks, MS, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (2019)

Vice Chair: Jessica Suagee-Bedore, PhD, Sam Houston State University (2021)

Secretary: Jessica Suagee-Bedore, PhD, Sam Houston State University (2021)

Treasurer: Lena Luck, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2022)

Leslie Janecka, BS, Kentucky Equine Management Program (KEMI) (2016)

Betsy Greene, PhD, University of Arizona (2021)

Karl Hoopes, DVM, Utah State University (2021)

Aubrey Jaqueth, PhD, Wright State University (2022)

Crystal Smith, EdD, West Virginia University (2022)

Katheryn Cerny, PhD, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (2023)

Michelle Kibler, PhD, Illinois State University (2023)

Danielle Smarsh, PhD, Penn State University (2023)

Jennie Ivey, PhD, University of Tennessee (2025)

Advisors to the NAEAA Board also include co-founders Karin Bump, PhD, and Tim Williams, MBA, as well as preceding chair, Sara Mastellar, PhD, Ohio State ATI (2020).

Founded in 2007, NAEAA is a nonprofit professional organization representing individuals from public and private institutions and the equine industry that strive to educate undergraduates within an equine academic program. The core belief of the organization is that there is educational and societal value in the equine disciplines of study. The mission is to strengthen post-secondary equine academic programs, provide networking opportunities, and facilitate increased cooperation and information sharing among our members. More information about NAEAA can be found at naeaa.com.