About the Division of Student Affairs

Meet the Senior Vice President 

As Associate Vice President, Erin leads the four departments that encompass Student Health and Wellness; Recreation Services, Student Wellness, Student Counseling Services, and Thielen Student Health Center. This unit works to support the holistic wellbeing of ISU students to help them be successful in and out of the classroom. She is also the Director of the Thielen Student Health Center, the full service on campus clinic that offers primary care, psychiatry, and support services for students at ISU. Prior to ISU, Erin held senior leadership roles in private sector non-profit hospitals and clinics.

Erin spent two years at ISU and then completed her bachelor's degree in Respiratory Care from the University of Kansas. She also holds master's degrees in healthcare administration (MHA) and public health (MPH) from the University of Iowa. Erin has served on numerous local, state, and national boards and committees including the NASPA AVP Steering Committee, North Central College Health Association Board (Iowa Member at Large, President, Past-President), YSS Corporate Board, ACHE of Iowa Board, and Primary Health Care Board.

Learn more about Student Health and Wellness

Sharron Evans, Esq., brings more nearly three decades of higher education and student affairs experience to the topic of university governance and policy. As Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, her portfolio includes oversight of 13 departments and three programs, including Student Conduct, Student Legal Services, Student Accessibility Services, Student Support Services (TRIO), the International Students & Scholars Office, and a number of academic support services units as well as cultural centers.

Learn more about Sharron 

Joe serves as the Associate Vice President for Campus Life, providing senior leadership for the Department of Residence, ISU Dining Services, and the Memorial Union. He brings more than 28 years of experience in student affairs, housing, and auxiliary services.

He has held leadership roles at The George Washington University, Florida International University, and the University of Central Florida, with a focus on operational effectiveness, crisis management, facilities, and strategic planning. He is known for his collaborative leadership style and his ability to bring people together across departments to solve complex challenges and enhance the student experience.

A long-time educator and mentor in the field, Joe has served as a faculty member for the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) and the Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI), supporting the development of future leaders in student affairs and housing. He also serves on the Alumni Board for the College of Saint Scholastica, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He holds a master's degree in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida.

More information about Campus Life can be found at campuslife.iastate.edu 

Meet the Senior Vice President

kcran@iastate.edu | 515-294-0322

Katy Cran serves as Strategic Communications Advisor for the Division of Student Affairs. In this role, Katy oversees communication strategies on behalf of the division and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Younger. Additionally, Katy partners across campus representing the division creating opportunities for Cyclones to excel.

Katy has been a staff member at ISU since 2011. Prior to joining the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Katy served as the inaugural Coordinator of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for the Dean of Students Office. Before transitioning into communications, Katy was the Assistant Director in the Office of Greek Affairs (now Office of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement). She also did a brief stint in the Office of Admissions traveling upper Iowa and Wisconsin as a recruiter. Before she joined the Cyclone family as a graduate student in 2009, Katy traveled throughout the United States and Canada as a Collegiate Development Consultant for Delta Gamma Fraternity.

Katy has a Master of Education in Higher Education from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa. Katy is married to her high school sweetheart (and ISU alum!) and looks forward to the day when her two daughters attend Iowa State (class of 2037 and 2039).

rboenigk@iastate.edu | 515-294-4421

Rachel Boenigk (they/she) attended Texas A&M University where they obtained both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History as well as a Master of Public Service Administration. Also, while at Texas A&M, Boenigk co-founded Pride Community Center. Boenigk went on to work as a Research Assistant at the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System. Boenigk also helped found the LGBTQIA+ employee group at the Federal Reserve.

In 2013, they were recruited back to the family business. During their tenure, Boenigk helped oversee a division acquisition and a product line relaunch. After their stint as Project and Product Manager respectively, Boenigk served as a Territory Sales Manager, Sales Manager for the Systems division, National Sales Manager, finally ending as the Vice President of Sales when they departed in July 2020.

Boenigk left the family business to pursue a career at Iowa State University. They currently serve as the Director of Administrative Services for Student Affairs. In this role, they oversee budgets, provide financial analysis, and consult on strategic initiatives for all of the units within the Division of Student Affairs.

Boenigk is currently the Treasurer of Aggie Pride, Texas A&M's LGBTQIA+ Former Student Constituent Network. They married their wife, Elizabeth, in 2015. They both are parents to three awesome kids.

nmlozzi@iastate.edu | 515-294-1086

A servant leader with a passion for student success, Nicole Bartolozzi has spent her career in higher education committed to making a difference. Before being named the UIA Fellow, she was the assistant director for the Hixson Opportunity Awards and National Student Exchange Program where she facilitated workshops with campus partners and focused on leadership and curriculum development for peer mentors and first-year students. Nicole's dedication to service and advocacy extends to her various support roles within the Division of Student Affairs, as President of the Greek Alumni Alliance, serving on boards for Back 2 School Iowa, Investing In My Future, the University Committee on Fraternities and Sororities, and as an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Prior to this position, she served as the program coordinator for Academic Coaching and Outreach and as the graduate assistant for the Hixson & NSE programs, Iowa State Parents’ Association, and MSA’s Academic Program for Excellence.

Nicole holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance and a master's degree in Higher Education - Student Affairs with an emphasis on leadership and learning from Iowa State University. As an educator, she is inspired by the quote, “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say, ‘Because of you, I didn’t give up.’”

camrynm1@iastate.edu | 515-294-5449

Camryn McPherson serves as Program Specialist for the Central Office of the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs. In this role, she organizes divisional events and recognition, as well as professional development funds and opportunities. 

Camryn is a 2x alumni of Iowa State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Design in 2022, and her Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs in 2024. During her time at Iowa State, she worked in the Office of Admissions as an undergraduate student and graduate student, specifically in the Soults Family Visitor Center. After graduation, she started her professional career at the Memorial Union helping student organizations plan their events before joining the Central Office in November of 2024. 

Camryn was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and even though she is a die-hard Cyclone fan now, she didn't go to her first sporting event until she was a student here! Now, all she reps is Cardinal and Gold. When Camryn is not on campus, you can find her baking bread and spending time with family and friends!

hmerfeld@iastate.edu | 515-294-1090

Heidi serves as the Senior Executive Administrative Assistant for Dr. Younger in the Division of Student Affairs. In this role, Heidi assists Dr. Younger directly with appointments and any special projects for the division. 

Heidi has been a staff member at ISU since 2018. Prior to joining the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Heidi served as scholarship coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from 2022-2024. From 2018-2022, she was also the administrative assistant for the Department of Psychology. Before coming to ISU in 2018, Heidi was a middle school teacher for 10 years in the Nevada Community School District.

Heidi and her husband are both graduates of ISU! They enjoy ISU football and basketball games - GO CYCLONES! In their spare time, they enjoy spending time with family and traveling.