Western Washington University

03/16/2026 | News release | Archived content

Nia Imani Forché Gipson named to NASPA Black Diaspora Knowledge Community Stellar 50

Nia Imani Forché Gipson named to NASPA Black Diaspora Knowledge Community Stellar 50

March 16, 2026

Nia Gipson speaks at Western's 2024 Juneteenth celebration.
Amy Salinas Westmoreland, left, director of the Office of Office of Multicultural Student Services, and Nia Gipson pose with their 2025 Celebration of Excellence Awards medallions.

Congratulations to Nia Imani Forché Gipson (she/her), Retention Specialist for the Black Student Coalition within the Office of Multicultural Student Services, on being nominated and selected for the Stellar 50 by the NASPA Black Diaspora Knowledge Community (BDKC).

The BDKC works to educate student affairs professionals on trends and issues impacting Black professionals and students, including research, campus climate and mentoring. The community also uplifts and recognizes colleagues whose leadership and service advance equity and excellence in higher education.

The Stellar 50 award honors student affairs professionals with at least five years of experience who have made meaningful contributions through their professional work and philanthropic efforts. Recipients exemplify the BDKC's core strategic initiatives: Professional Development and Engagement; Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice; Research and Scholarship. Nia was formally recognized at the BDKC Business Meeting and Awards Presentation during the NASPA Annual Conference in Kansas City on March 10.

Nia holds her Stellar 50 award during the NASPA award ceremony.

Nia earned her master's of science in Educational Leadership with a concentration in College Student Development from Oklahoma State University. She joined Western in 2021 in Residence Life, where she played a pivotal role in supporting community safety efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she became the inaugural coordinator (now retention specialist) for the newly opened Black Student Coalition, a space centered on celebrating and affirming Black culture and history on campus.

Throughout her time at Western, Nia has been a dedicated advocate and mentor to students. She has advised student leaders, led impactful programming such as Black History Month, Welcome BLACK, Family Reunion, MLK Day Celebration and Juneteenth celebrations, and has been known to bring joy to campus by DJing community dance events. Beyond campus, her commitment to community engagement extends throughout Bellingham through her volunteer work with Young Life, her work as a certified Zumba instructor, and her support of Delta Phi Delta dance fraternity.

Nia Gipson, top row third from left, at the Black Student Coalition's 2023 photo project called "Black Resistance; Black Joy."

Additionally, in 2024, Nia was recognized by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce as one of the Whatcom Young Professionals' "7 Under 40." She has also received multiple President's Excellence Awards and previously served as president of the Faculty and Staff of Color Council.

Please join us in celebrating Nia's outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to student success. Her impact continues to strengthen our campus and the broader community.

Western Washington University published this content on March 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 30, 2026 at 16:29 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]