Dr. Cassie Gerhardt has spent nearly 30 years supporting students, fraternity and sorority professionals, volunteers, and organizational leaders. The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors named her the recipient of its 2026 Dr. Robert H. Shaffer Award, recognizing her long-term commitment to the fraternity and sorority profession.
Her record connects several parts of the Greek-letter ecosystem. Gerhardt serves students through the University of North Dakota, volunteers through Alpha Chi Omega, and contributes to professional organizations that educate and support fraternity and sorority advisors.What recognition did Gerhardt receive?
The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors named Gerhardt its 2026 Dr. Robert H. Shaffer Award recipient. The award recognizes a higher-education professional who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to fraternities and sororities.
AFA reports that Gerhardt is in her 25th year at the University of North Dakota and has supported students for nearly 30 years.
Her AFA service has included work on the Essentials Editorial Board, Code of Ethics Workgroup, Nominations and Elections Committee, and AFA Foundation Board of Directors, where she served for seven years.
These responsibilities are less visible than chapter ceremonies or campus events, but they help determine how professionals are educated, how ethical expectations are communicated, and how future leaders are selected.
What is her role at the University of North Dakota?
Gerhardt is the senior associate vice president for student affairs at the University of North Dakota.
The university's recognition of her 2026 NASPA Foundation honor states that she had completed more than 23 years of student-affairs service at UND by September 2025. Her earlier positions included serving as the university's coordinator of Greek life.
That background matters. Senior administrators responsible for broad student-affairs divisions may still carry knowledge developed through direct work with chapters, council leaders, advisors, and students.
Gerhardt's career provides one example of fraternity and sorority advising serving as professional preparation for wider institutional leadership.
How does Alpha Chi Omega fit into her work?
Gerhardt is an Alpha Chi Omega alumna from the Alpha Pi Chapter at the University of North Dakota.
Alpha Chi Omega's current national leadership directory identifies her as National Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. AFA also notes that she previously led Alpha Chi Omega's National Housing Corporation.
These are distinct responsibilities. Her university position is an employment role. Her Alpha Chi Omega service is connected to her membership and volunteer leadership. Her AFA work supports the wider fraternity and sorority profession.
Keeping those roles separate helps readers understand the scope of her contribution without combining different forms of service into one title.
What does the NASPA recognition add?
Gerhardt was also selected as one of the NASPA Foundation's 2026 Pillars of the Profession.
The University of North Dakota reports that the recognition considers significant professional service, institutional impact, and sustained distinction in student affairs. It followed Gerhardt's 2023 regional award for senior-level student-affairs professionals.
The NASPA and AFA honors recognize related work from different perspectives. NASPA considers her contribution to student affairs and higher education. AFA focuses specifically on her commitment to the fraternity and sorority community.
Why does this work matter?
Students often experience Greek life through chapter officers, membership programs, service projects, and social events. Their experience also depends on professionals and volunteers who interpret policy, advise leaders, respond to difficult situations, preserve continuity, and train the next group of officers.
Gerhardt's record illustrates how that work can continue across decades and institutions.
It also shows that service to the Greek-letter community does not have to remain inside one organizational structure. A person may contribute through a university, a sorority, a professional association, a foundation, and other community organizations while respecting the authority attached to each role.
The Gold Standard of Excellence
GLOs United recognizes Dr. Cassie Gerhardt, the students and professionals she has supported, her University of North Dakota colleagues, Alpha Chi Omega volunteers, and the AFA and NASPA communities.
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