Governing Board

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The Governing Board of the Urban Affairs Association consists of fifteen (15) members. The members of the governing board are nominated and elected by the members of the Association. They serve three-year terms and formally meet as a group twice a year. SEE ALSO: Governing Board History (1969-present)

UAA Governing Board (2025-26)

Cathy Yang Liu

Cathy Yang Liu, Chair

Professor and Chair
Department of Public Management and Policy at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State University
2025-2028 (2nd term)

Hélène Bélanger, Vice Chair

Professor
Department of Urban Studies and Tourism
Université du Québec à Montréal
2023-2026 (2nd term)

Kimberly Mayfield Lynch

Kimberly Mayfield Lynch, Treasurer

Dean and Vice President of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships
Holy Names University
2023 – 2026 (1st term)

Kathe Newman

Kathe Newman, Secretary

Professor
Urban Planning and Policy Development Program
Rutgers University – New Brunswick
2024-2027 (2nd term)

Martine August

Associate Professor
University of Waterloo
2025-2028 (1st term)

Margaret Cowell

Margaret Cowell

Secretary
Associate Professor
Urban Affairs and Planning
Virginia Tech University
2023-2026 (2nd term)

Prentiss Dantzler

Prentiss Dantzler

Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
University of Toronto
2023-2026 (2nd term)

TIA SHERÈE GAYNOR

Tia Sherèe Gaynor

Associate Professor
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
2023 – 2026 (1st term)

Leslie Martin

Leslie Martin

Associate Professor
University of Mary Washington
2023 – 2026 (1st term)

Deyanira Martinez Nevarez

Assistant Professor
Michigan State University
2025-2028 (1st term)

José W. Meléndez

José W. Meléndez

Assistant Professor of Planning for Engaging Diverse Communities
School of Planning, Public Policy, and Management
University of Oregon
2025-2028 (2nd term)

Akira Drake Rodriguez

Akira Drake Rodriguez

Assistant Professor
School of Design &
School of Social Policy & Practice
University of Pennsylvania
2023-2026 (2nd term)

Jocelyn Taliaferro

Professor
School of Social Work
Morgan State University
2024-2027 (2nd term)

Joan Wesley

Joan Wesley

Associate Professor
Jackson State University
2023 – 2026 (1st term)

NATHANIEL WRIGHT

Nathaniel Wright

Associate Professor
Rutgers University-Camden
2023 – 2026 (1st term)