Council Elections
Graduate Student Representative
Ashton Rios, Texas State University
Hey, y’all! I am currently earning my Masters of Arts in Communication Studies at Texas
State University. My time in forensics spans four years of competition in high school, four in
college, and two years coaching in the high school and college levels. As of May of 2024, I
became certified to teach Speech in grades seven through twelve, as it has been my goal to
become an educator that provides a space for students to authentically and passionately defend
not only their beliefs, but their rights. As someone who comes from a background of multiple
intersecting identities, my time working with students – in and out of forensics – has operated on
a teaching philosophy that emphasizes social-emotional learning and establishing networks for
students who are underserved and underrepresented.
While attending university, I have conducted rhetorical research that analyzes various
protest movements and unconventional rhetors that have been overlooked by rhetoricians, all in
the effort to amplify the voices of those who have yet to be heard. My research directly reflects
the goal and teaching philosophy I have established for myself – putting students first.
The purpose of my application to become the Graduate Student Representative for the
National Forensics Association directly mirrors my goal and philosophy. As an undergraduate
student who was privileged with working with multiple graduate coaches over the years, I saw
the amount of effort they put into the team at Texas State University. Yet until I became a
graduate coach myself, I was unaware of the turmoil my coaches navigated – balancing traveling
and coaching with research, GPA requirements, minimal pay, and giving more than they receive.
I would like to connect with other graduate coaches on the college level to not only provide an
environment in which graduate students are able to connect on the basis of academia and
networking, but to provide support. A simple compliment or word of encouragement can impact
someone in ways we may not understand or see, but the act in and of itself may do justice for
that person’s life.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
At-Large Representative
John Stanley, North Central College
My service to the National Forensic Association has been in the form of ad hoc committees and other standing committees including the Ethics Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee. Additionally, I have been writing postings for the past 10 years and served the National Council At-large for the last three years. It would be a privilege to continue to serve the Council in this capacity. Moving forward, my goal is to further address how we create more community within our activity during a time with heavy budget cuts and challenges to safe environments for our students.
My connection to the NFA began when I was an undergraduate competitor for the University of Central Missouri. 2025 marks my 29th year of attending the NFA tournament, and I have been given the gift of getting to work with amazingly talented and kind students and coaches from across the country. Having coached at Eastern Illinois University early on in my career, I found my home at North Central College for the past 26 years where I served the college and community alongside my mentor, Dr. Richard Paine. While many of my students have gone on to become coaches at both the high school and college level, if it wasn’t for my own high school coach encouraging me to join Forensics, my path might have been very different, but I’m so lucky to have found the activity where I get to do what I love, which includes serving the NFA. Thank you for your consideration
Randy Perez, Queens College and City University of New York
It is with great enthusiasm, dedication, and a deep commitment to the values of forensic education that I seek this opportunity to serve. Over the course of my career in forensics—as a competitor, coach, and program director, I have developed a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our community. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that forensics has on students’ lives, helping them develop not only critical communication skills but also confidence, resilience, and civic engagement.
In my current role at Queens College and at the City University of New York (CUNY), I’ve worked closely with students from diverse backgrounds, striving to make forensics more inclusive and accessible. I believe that representation, equity, and sustainability must be core tenets of our organization’s mission moving forward. As an at-large national council member, I would advocate for policies and initiatives that support smaller programs, encourage innovation in pedagogy and competition, and promote the well-being of students and coaches alike. I am committed to listening to the voices of our members and ensuring that the NFA remains a space where all participants feel empowered and valued. I would be honored to serve the National Forensic Association and contribute to shaping the future of this vibrant and vital community.
Thank you for your consideration.
David Daye, Bradley University
David Daye is a master’s candidate at Bradley University, where he also competed in collegiate forensics for four years as a member of the Bradley University Speech Team. During his time on the team, David served as team president and distinguished himself as a speaker, ranking in the top five individual speakers at both AFA and NFA. He is an AFA National Champion in Communication Analysis and a two-time AFA National Champion in Persuasive Speaking.
Now an assistant coach at Bradley, David has gained valuable experience in tournament management, helping plan and run both the Norton and HFO—two of the largest regular season tournaments. From the tab room to hiring judges and announcing awards, he has developed a strong grasp of tournament logistics. Giving him a firm foundation to aid NFA in maximizing its potential of growth and expansion.
As the former NFA graduate student representative, David helped shape decision-making at the national level while building meaningful relationships across the community. He has proven to be a bold and outspoken advocate for students, coaches, and the future of the activity.
Caleb Webb, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
As the incoming Director of Forensics at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, I bring a deep passion for competitive speech and debate and a strong background in event planning and tournament coordination. I served as a graduate assistant at Minnesota State University, Mankato for three years, during which I directed the Larry Schnoor Invitational, served on the Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association, and made history as the first graduate assistant to win the Grace Walsh award.
In addition to leading team and tournament operations, I’ve assisted with regional tournaments such as Lovefest and the Valley Forensics League, and contributed to the forensics community by writing limited prep prompts for multiple competitions. I’ve also represented the Mid-America Forensics League (MAFL) as an at-large representative, advocating for inclusive and accessible practices within our region.
With a strong foundation in large-scale event planning from my time as an event planner for major festivals, I’m committed to fostering inclusive, well-organized, and enriching competitive experiences for all students.
Secretary
Nick Steinmetz, Arizona State University
Nick began his speech career in South Florida and immediately fell in love with the activity. As a competitor on George Mason University Forensics, he reached national outrounds in several events, including a 7th place finish in Extemporaneous Speaking at the 2021 NFA National Tournament.
As a graduate assistant and later assistant coach at Illinois State University, he helped coach ISU to its 3rd place finish at the 2023 AFA-NST. He has worked to revive ISU’s limited prep program and has coached several state and national finalists. As one of the nation’s premier Extemp question writers, he has written questions for MAFL, AFA, NSC and NFA.
Nick has significant organizational experience serving on the NFA Extemp committee, the AFA social media committee and working as the MAFL Tournament Director for the 2024-2025 season. He has also engaged in award-winning scholarship that seeks to unpack oppressive structures and the ways they enable abuse both within forensics teams and the broader forensics community. His work throughout the community led him to be named the 2025 recipient of the American Forensic Association’s Outstanding New Forensics Coach Award. In Fall 2025, Nick is beginning a doctoral program at Arizona State University. He would greatly appreciate the ability to serve on the NFA National Council!
Vice-President of Professional Relations
Kevin Minch, Truman State University
NFA has been a home to me since 1990 and I have reached a point in my career where I believe I can offer my time and skills to a different aspect of the organization – namely in the area of professional relations. I am Truman State University’s former DOF and currently serve as its Associate Provost. Fortunately, I have a supportive administration that allows me to continue to work with our forensics students and be involved in the broader activity. I have extensive prior service in executive roles in speech and debate, having served as Vice President, President, Ombudsperson, and Finance Committee Chair of NPDA when it was at its largest, and as a member of the AFA Finance Committee. Within NFA, I have served for many years as Chair or Co-Chair of the Extemp Topic Committee, and have previously had terms on the NFA-LD Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee. For the past several years I have served as Associate Editor of the National Forensic Journal. I am currently the Vice President of NCA’s Argumentation and Forensics Division, as well as its Program Planner. I have served for two decades as the College Advisor for the National Federation of State High School Associations Speech, Debate, and Theatre Committee where, among other things, I help with publications and facilitate the process that selects the national high school policy debate topic. These latter three roles equip me well for the duties of the Vice President for Professional Relations – connecting me to NCA and the K-12 community, while the former duties have prepared me for playing a broader role on the Executive Committee.
With great political and societal change underway, forensics is at an important crossroads. The coming years are likely to be challenging for an activity focused on free expression, dialogue, advocacy, and sharing our lived experiences without fear. Our professional network will be critical in framing the case for forensics’ continued educational and societal value and that will require cooperation with other organizations. We will need strong support from administrators and communication organizations to defend our value. It would be my honor to serve the organization during this time. I cannot hope to fill the shoes of the amazing Nikki Freeman, but I am happy to have the opportunity to help give back to an organization that continues to mean so much to me and the students we serve.
I’ve been lucky enough to work in so many parts of the country. I would be honored to serve the remarkable coaches and students I have met on my journey. Thank you for your time and consideration.
National Forensic Association 