NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University has named Dr. Yonna Pasch director of Student Affairs and Vanner Erikson interim director of Enrollment Management and director of Recruiting.
As director of Student Affairs, Pasch is responsible for the leadership and oversight of seven Student Affairs departments including Accessibility & Disability Support, Counseling and Career Services, First-Year Experience, Fraternal and Civic Engagement, Health Services, Student Activities and Leadership Development and TRIO & Student Support Services. The Division of Student Affairs professionals connect with students to provide vital services, resources and learning opportunities preparing them for work and life beyond NSU.
“We are dedicated to ensuring each student and staff member can learn, grow, and develop while at NSU,” Pasch said.
Pasch earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and tourism and a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at NSU and a doctorate in higher education with certification in higher education administration from Louisiana Tech. She has worked in higher education for 19 years, starting as an adjunct instructor in the Student Affairs in Higher Education degree program. Her work in student affairs includes student activities programming, fraternity and sorority life, student organizations, student union facilities, intramurals and leadership development.
As an undergraduate, Pasch was part of the NSU rowing team and Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. She has been married to Alan Pasch, a 2001 and 2006 graduate of NSU, for 21 years and they have a son, Amsden, 12.
“It is an extreme honor to serve as the next director of Student Affairs at Northwestern State University,” Pasch said. “NSU is an outstanding academic institution with a diverse and talented student body and caring higher education professionals. I am excited to work alongside the leadership, staff, faculty, students, alumni and community members in this new capacity as we chart a path forward for Northwestern State University.”
As interim director of Enrollment Management and director of Recruiting, Erikson’s purview includes Recruiting, Financial Aid and Admissions. Prior to his current role, he’s been a part of the NSU Family since 2007, as an undergraduate and graduate student, recruiter, Alumni director and director of First Year Experience.
In the community, Erikson serves as the chair of the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, chair of the Board of the Directors of both the Chamber of Commerce and Cane River National Heritage Area and member of the Ready Start Natchitoches Early Childhood Board. He helped recharter the local Boys and Girls Club in Natchitoches, and now sits on the state board. He and his wife Aly, also an NSU graduate, have two daughters, Landry and Gray.
“I’m looking forward to implement new strategies in automation, data-analytics and customer service in regards to recruiting and retention, where we will become more student-centric in all that we do,” Erikson said. “We have a great team in Enrollment Services and Student Affairs that make up the Student Experience Division and I look forward to cross-collaboration and innovative initiatives that bridge the gap to External and Academic Affairs.”
