ACUI Region VII Newsletter - June 2026 by ACUI

Updates From the Regional Director

Hey Party People!

As we wrap up another academic year, I want to take a moment to celebrate all that Region VII has accomplished together. This year has been filled with connection, growth (2 new member institutions!!), learning, and the continued dedication of professionals and students who work every day to create meaningful experiences on our campuses

I am especially excited that as we head into our 5 Annual Grad & Grow Institute, we are offering Grad & Grow in TWO locations this year (New Brunswick & Daemon), providing valuable spaces for emerging professionals to connect, learn, and build community within two areas of our region Registration is now open, and I encourage graduate students and new professionals to take advantage of these incredible opportunities for networking, professional development, and building lasting connections with colleagues across Region VII Thank you to everyone who has helped make these experiences possible through your time, energy, and support

As many of us transition into summer, I also want to recognize that June is both Pride Month and the month we celebrate Juneteenth Region VII remains committed to being a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for all We celebrate the diversity of identities, experiences, and voices that strengthen our region and our campuses. We want every member of our community to know that you belong here, you are valued here, and we strive to create spaces that are safe, affirming, and welcoming for everyone

Chrissie Taylor

Regional Director

Rutgers University - Camden

Lastly, I would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulations to Antonio Talamo as our incoming Regional Director Antonio’s passion for student engagement, leadership, and community building will serve Region VII well, and I am excited to see the continued growth and success of our region under his leadership

Thank you all for another incredible year I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such dedicated professionals and students. Wishing you a summer filled with rest, reflection, and renewed energy for the year ahead.

Chrissie Taylor Region VII Director

Grad&GrowInstitute2026: Investinginthe NextGenerationof StudentAffairsProfessionals

FeaturedTopics

Supervision & Leadership

Staff Accountability

Staff Training & Onboarding

Staff Development & Team Building

Professional Identity & Confidence

Imposter Syndrome

Career Development & Life After Graduation

Communication & Delegation

Difficult Conversations

Graduate Student Wellness & Boundaries

Managing Up

Supervising Graduate Students

The Association of College Unions International Region VII Grad & Grow Institute returns on August 5, 2026, offering graduate students and supervisors an engaging day of professional development, networking, and learning.

This year’s institute will be hosted simultaneously at Daemen University and Rutgers University–New Brunswick, expanding access and creating opportunities for more graduate students and professionals across the region to participate.

Designed specifically for graduate students working in student affairs and higher education, the Grad & Grow Institute provides practical learning experiences that support professional growth, leadership development, and career readiness Participants can expect a dynamic lineup of educational sessions focused on navigating graduate assistantships, supervising student staff, communication strategies, professional identity, and preparing for life after graduation.

One of the hallmarks of the institute is the opportunity to learn directly from peers and emerging professionals. Sessions and panels featuring second-year graduate students and first-year professionals will provide authentic insight into career preparation, leadership development, and transitioning into fullessional roles.

Grad&GrowInstitute2026: Investinginthe NextGenerationof StudentAffairsProfessionals

ConferenceDetails

August 5, 2026

9:00AM - 5:00PM

Locations

Daemen University, Amherst, NY

Rutgers University - New brunswick, NJ

Registration Rates:

$50 - ACUI Members

$60 - Non-Members

$75 - Late Registration (after July 6th)

Whether you are beginning your graduate journey or preparing for your next professional step, the Grad & Grow Institute offers a meaningful opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside colleagues from across Region VII

Additional registration information and campusspecific registration links will be available soon

The institute schedule is intentionally designed to provide flexibility for attendees at different stages of their professional journey. Participants will have opportunities to follow recommended tracks tailored for:

First-Year Graduate Students

Second-Year Graduate Students & Beyond Professional Staff/Supervisors

Several sessions will also encourage collaboration and discussion across experience levels, creating opportunities for meaningful networking and shared learning among graduate students and professionals from across Region VII. The conference will also continue its popular Career Hour, where attendees will:

Receive resume and application feedback

Gain interviewing tips and strategies

Learn ways to become more involved in ACUI Connect with professionals from across the region

In addition to graduate student-focused programming, this year’s institute will feature a dedicated supervisor track designed for professionals who oversee graduate assistants and graduate student employees These sessions will focus on effective supervision practices, mentoring strategies, and ways to create supportive and developmental learning environments for graduate students. Facilitated by experienced professionals from across Region VII, the supervisor track aims to provide practical tools that participants can immediately implement on their campuses.

Registration for the institute includes breakfast and lunch, creating additional opportunities for networking and community-building throughout the day.

AMomentwithAntonioTalamo: IncomingRegionalDirector

In this issue of the Newsletter, we had a moment to sit down and ask Antonio, the incoming director of Region VII, a few question about his vision, hopes, and dreams once he steps into the regional director position in 2027

Tell us a little about you and your history with ACUI / Region VII I attended my first ACUI conference in 2016 in Pittsburgh, and that was really where I discovered what ACUI could offer. I’ve always been a bit of a slow starter, so it took me a while before I decided to get involved as a volunteer. In 2021, I joined the Conference Program Team, but because of COVID, it felt difficult to fully contribute in the ways I wanted to That experience helped me realize that the Regional Leadership Team was probably the better fit for me Since educational programming has always been one of my strengths, applying for the Education Coordinator role felt like a natural next step After four years in that role, plus another run on the CPT in 2025, I knew I wanted to continue giving back to the region by serving as Regional Director

What challenges does ACUI face in 2027/2028 and where do you fit in?

Looking ahead, I think one of the biggest challenges ACUI faces is simply capacity. Student Affairs professionals are being asked to do more than ever, and even people who really care about ACUI’s mission may not have the time or flexibility to commit to traditional volunteer roles At the same time, funding for professional development and travel continues to shrink at many institutions, making it harder for people, especially early-career professionals, to attend conferences or get connected to the Association in the first place

I also think there are a lot of graduate students and newer professionals who just haven’t had exposure to ACUI yet Sometimes their institutions are not members, sometimes budgets are tight, and sometimes they simply don’t know what opportunities exist That’s nobody’s fault, but it does mean we have to continue showing people the value of ACUI and creating easier ways for them to get involved

What is on your mind for when you begin your tenure as Regional Director? What ideas do you have?

To help address some of this, I’d love to continue building more flexible and accessible opportunities for engagement. That could look like shorter professional development experiences, more virtual or hybrid offerings, or one-day institutes that are easier to attend without major travel costs. I also want to make some of our volunteer opportunities and processes easier to understand and navigate, not just for volunteers but for members who may be interested in getting involved for the first time.

On a lighter note, I’d also love to bring more fun and energy into the region through things like school spirit, friendly competition, fundraising challenges, and recognition opportunities for members and campuses. I think those moments help people feel connected to the region in a meaningful way.

Where and how can people reach you?

Above all, I want people to know that I’m approachable and easy to reach. Anyone is welcome to connect with me through GroupMe or by email at talamoa@montclair.edu. Region VII is a special community, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue building on the strong foundation and legacy created by those who came before me

Thank you Antonio! We are looking forward to your tenure starting in 2027!

Regional Lunch,LearnandLaugh

The Region VII Lunch, Learn and Laugh (LLL) series is a monthly program where Region VII members are invited to chat, connect with colleagues, discuss current events or recent developments on-campus, and have fun!

So often as professionals do we find ourselves siloed in our respective roles, and do not have a chance to connect with peers across the region outside of once-per-year conferences. Take an hour to chat, we hope to see you then!

Markyourcalendar

Regional Lunch Learn and Laugh will be held the last Wednesday of every month from 12:00PM - 1:00PM

RSVP link for June LLL, to be held June 24 , can be found here: June Lunch Learn and Laugh RSVP – Fill out form th

Reminders with the RSVP link will be sent the week before each month’s LLL

Any questions? Reach out to Ryan Gillen at rpg77@echo rutgers edu

Wewantyou... TojoinRegionalBookclub!

Calling all readers! Did you know Region VII has a book club?

Our current book is the thriller Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson All book choices for Region VII book club come from recommendations of region members Participate in our next meeting and have the opportunity to submit your own recommendation

Interested in participating? There’s still time to pick up the book and join us for our next meeting on July 2 at 11:00 AM! Please reach out to Ryan Gillen, Region VII Membership Experience Manager, at rpg77@echo.rutgers.edu, to receive an invite.

“This truly unique premise snowballs into a roller-coaster ride of page-turning suspense and knock-out twists!”

Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid

SpotlightonRegionVII

Spotlight on VII is a feature in the Region VII newsletter highlighting facilities, students, staff, programs, initiatives, and overall Region VII accomplishments.

Rutgers University, New Brunswick is a public university located across two towns: New Brunswick and Piscataway, N.J. Founded in 1766 as Queens College, Rutgers University is one of nine original colonial colleges predating the founding of the United States. A Big 10 school and the state university of New Jersey, Rutgers University is a huge institution with something for everyone

Rutgers New Brunswick is a sprawling sight to behold and features 5 distinct campuses within it: College Avenue, Douglass, Cook, Busch and Livingston. Each campus has its own character, but Livingston Campus and Livingston Student Center will be the focus of this spotlight. Livingston Student Center is one of the newer centers on campus, and features programs including the Mark Leadership Conference and Scarlet Carnivale, and amenities such as the popular on-campus arcade The Rutgers Zone, and Akihi, a new bubble tea vendor which opened this past semester

Does your institution have a facility, program, initiative, student or staff member you want to be featured on the next Spotlight on VII? Then be sure to email Ryan Gillen, Region VII Membership Engagement Manager, at rpg77@echo rutgers edu and submit your nomination!

This issue of Spotlight on VII is a double feature, where we will spotlight both host sites of this year’s Grad and Grow at Rutgers University, New Brunswick and Daemen University!

SpotlightonRegionVII

Spotlight on VII is a feature in the Region VII newsletter highlighting facilities, students, staff, programs, initiatives, and overall Region VII accomplishments.

Daemen University is a private university in Amherst, N.Y., just outside of Buffalo, offering undergraduate and graduate level degrees. Founded as Rosary Hill College in 1947, Daemen University offers a multitude of programs across various fields of study, including programs in Physicians Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, Animation, Business, and more. Daemen University, while small, boasts state of the art facilities, an easily navigable, beautiful campus, and a dedication to fostering enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity amongst its community members

The John R Yurtchuk Student Center, situated at the heart of Daemen University's campus, is home to the division of Student Affairs, including Student Activities, Residence Life, Career Services, the CHIP Center (Counseling, Health & Insurance, and Prevention services), and Campus Safety Additionally housing the campus's central dining hall, the Wildcat Den, and many flexible event spaces, the Yurtchuk Student Center is the main hub for student organizations, activities, and events for the entire community

This issue of Spotlight on VII is a double feature, where we will spotlight both host sites of this year’s Grad and Grow at Rutgers University, New Brunswick and Daemen University!

2026 Regional Conference Taking Form

Site Visit Complete!

This month, our 2026 conference planning team visited Morgan State University officially shape how the regional conference will look in November! Members of the team got to meet in person, take a tour of the facility, and even head out to a Baltimore Orioles game!

“I had such a great time visiting Morgan State University! It was my first time ever visiting an HBCU and I was amazed at the rich history showcased all around campus. Our time spent was full of learning, brainstorming, innovation, and of course, bonding. I'm ecstatic that our Region VII Conference will be at Morgan and as a graduate student who always aspired to be in spaces like these, it was so fun being able to share this experience with my fellow conference planning team.”

Angela Castro had this to say about the site visit:

2026 Conference Planning Team

Ace Walker

Technology & Logistics Coordinator

West Chester University

Alex Ullman

Student Experience Coordinator

Pratt Institute

Alia Elbanna Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Agenla Marie Castro

Student Experience Coorindator

Rowan University

Ashley Davis

Registration & Evaluation Coordinator

Rowan University

Darrek Harshberger

Fundraising Coordinator

Penn West

Andrew Rubas

Keynote, All Conf. & entertainment Coordinator

Villanova University

Dawn Scruggs

Host Chair

Morgan State University

Mustafa Sabuur

2026 Conference Planning Team

Domonique Sak

Student Experienec Coordinator

Rochester Institute of Technology

Emily Inserra 2027

Montclair State University

Joseph Keefe Student Experience Coordinator

Rutgers

Kelly Chang Volunteer & Member

Engagement Coordinator

Marymount Manhattan College

Michael Cornett Host Chair

Morgan State University

Mike

Tony Vitale

Keynote, All Conf. & entertainment Coordinator

Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick

Mustafa Sabuur

Celebratingour2026 RegionVIIGraduates!

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! You have accomplished a major feat by getting your degree, and you should be proud of yourself! The future is bright for you, and we cannot wait to hear about where you go from here

A massive thank you to all of the student employees, volunteers, and leaders on this list who advanced our campus centers and student unions through their work Your dedication and hard work will leave a lasting impact on your campus

On the next few pages, you will see our list of graduating seniors f you graduated but don’t see your name on the list, please remember that we are extraordinarily proud of you as well

Celebratingour2026 RegionVIIGraduates!

Syracuse Universtiy

Morgan State University

Montclair State university

University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

Nakia Maxie-Hill

Pratt Institute

Hanl Brown | Z Pierre

Celebratingour2026 RegionVIIGraduates!

Syracuse Universtiy

Ashley Patnett | Aunik Manocha | Avani Badkul | Ayesha Shahzad | Ayush Sawnani

Bornita Chowdhury | Britney Marrugo | Caitlin Bridgers | Christie Salib | David Valverde

Kiara Velez-Padilla | Krish Kanattil | Krystal Galloza | Larissa De Paula | Lia Vaynshteyn

Mark McClintock | Matthew Sleeper | Maya Strauss | Meera Bhanushali | Michley Nelson

Monique Asprer | Muyang "Mia" Lin | Nader Ayoub | Nana Asante | Nephtalie Brice

Ping Kelly | Pratha Patel | Pratham Chauhan | Rashmee Tolani |

Samantha "Sam" Tamayo | Samantha Cheng | Samantha Jones | Sanya Solanki

Veronica DePass | Vicky Maza | Vidushi Goel | Winifred Oyem | Zeniah Edmondson

West Chester University

Aliyaah N Bazemore

Slippery Rock University

Haley Domagala | Lia Palermo | Madeline Sollinger | Rachel Smith

Celebratingour2026 RegionVIIGraduates!

Lehigh University

Alexa Gonzalez | Colin Greg | Margaret Horn | Ujin Khongorzul

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Allison Tanasy | Brianna Rached | Carly Chiu | Cookie Wahba | Elliot Holmes

Jaqueline Reed | Jennica Bugtong | Jestina Brown | Joellie Acebo |

Kyree Robinson-Banks | Lida Kelyman | Liza Kireev | Luannee Hernandez

Magdalena Nikolova | Pranish Khanal | Prashant Shah | Sarah Glisson | Theodore Walton

Rowan University

Aiden Anello | Brianna Brown | Charmi Patel | Chris Zigan | Christian Arriola

Colin Hatcher | Colin Mead | Ezekiel Abrams | Gabriella Alba | Gabriella Rosario

Gagan Sandhu | Genesis Flores | Gerald Carrion | Gia Torsiello | Infinity Pritchett

Jacob Robertson | Jill Surti | Johan Metz | Josh Worman | Juliana Nanni

Juliette Carmona | Kaden Murray-Dye | Kayla Bhagaloo | Lexi McLain | Liam Thompson

Lilly Cassano | Maggie Cortes | Manish Chowdary Kalluri | Marie Enselek | Matt Wayman

Matthew Fenton | Michael Bautista | Michael Cipolone | Miles Coulombe

Nadia Elbanna | Nicholas Seto | Nicole Fauvie | Ojay Harris | Olivia Warren

Patrick Udochi | Raven Vijayakumar | Raymond Simmons | Rayna Marantz | Ren Szeto

Sophia Lepore | Zariah Kitchens

CelebratingRegionVII StudentEmployees

A celebration of National Student Employment Week A celebration of National Student Employment Week

National Student Employment Week was April 13-17 and we took time to celebrate student staff from across Region VII Student employees are the backbone of student centers and unions, bringing a distinct level of service, professionalism, and initiative to their roles

Our student staff play integral roles in advancing the campus community and fostering a sense of belonging through the hearts of our campuses From building managers overseeing student center operations to event staff cultivating engagement in programming to interns producing professional development content for their peers, our student employees make our work in student engagement and student center operations worth it

These traits are seen in the different student staffs that we highlighted this year:

CelebratingRegionVII StudentEmployees

The Late Nite Staff at Binghamton University

As Alyssa Whitehead puts it, “The Late Nite Binghamton staff are some of the most dedicated and welcoming students on campus! Every week, our student staff spend their Friday and Saturday nights creating memorable experiences for hundreds of students, making sure that students have a safe and fun time at our events. Every year, their kindness inspires large waves of students to apply to work with us, a testament to their care and the community they create ”

CelebratingRegionVII StudentEmployees

Sykes Union and Student Activities at West Chester University. the Sykes Union and Student Activities at West Chester University.

Adriane Reilly says, “Our student employees are the heart of our operation Through their creativity, hard work, and genuine care for others, they don’t just keep things running, they make Sykes Student Union vibrant and affirming. We’re grateful for the energy they bring to their work every day, and admire their ability to balance jobs, classes, and campus life with remarkable commitment We are better because of them ”

CelebratingRegionVII StudentEmployees

the Student Center Operations UC Building Sups at Lehigh University

Carol Hills says, “[the Building Sups’] commitment shows in the work they do day after day. Their willingness to train, grow, and consistently give their best effort does not go unnoticed, this level of reliability and care is what keeps our operations strong and successful Beyond their responsibilities, this team has built something truly meaningful The respect, empathy, and encouragement they show one another is what creates a genuine community. That kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident, it’s created through a shared sense of ownership and the intentional effort to build relationships. We are incredibly grateful for our Building Sups and the positive impact they make every single day ”

CelebratingRegionVII StudentEmployees

University Commons Operations staff at William Patterson University

the University Commons Operations staff at William Patterson University

As Kaitlyn Howarth puts it, “The University Commons Operations staff is the heart and soul of the University Commons They are more than a team, they are a family thats supports and celebrates one another and everyday works to make the UC an welcoming and safe space for the campus community!”

CelebratingRegionVII StudentEmployees

Student Engagement staff at Syracuse University

Jen Bideaux says, "The Student Engagement staff are some of the most dedicated, creative, and hardworking folks on campus! From events to daily operations to RSO advising, our team of student employees are at the heart of everything that we do. Their contributions create an unsurpassed patron experience across our student centers, and we truly could not do the work that we do without them!"

Celebrating RegionVII StudentEmployees

Travis Houtz says, "This team is a wonderful, collaborative group of individuals Students truly work well together to operate the facility and host successful events for the campus community. As we like to say, 'In the CUB, we all fam!'"

The Ceddia Union Building operations staff at Shippensburg University

SavetheDate: RegionVIIDayofGiving

Incaseyoumissedit:

We understand that sometimes folks in ACUI use acronyms or terms that not all members are familiar with. While we try our hardest to avoid this, you still may hear these terms and phrases and not be sure what they mean. To help everyone stay in-theknow, here is a glossary of commonly used ACUI acronyms or terms that you may hear in the future.

ACUI - The abbreviation for Association of College Unions International Annual Conference - Association-wide meeting held each year

Board of Trustees - Volunteers that work on determining and advancing strategic directions, governing over long-term goals, representing the association to other members, and setting the tone for member experience

The Bulletin - ACUI’s online member magazine

CAS - Council for the Advancement of Standards

CO - Central Office

Community of Practice - A term referring to networks of members that share a common interest.

CPT - Conference Planning Team (team planning Regional conferences or could refer to Conference Program Team (team planning annual Conference)

ERF - Education and Research Fund

ILEAD® - Institute for Leadership Education and Development, I-LEAD® is ACUI’s premier student program, designed to emphasize the key concept areas of leadership, community development, and change

IPDS - IPDS: New Professionals Orientation is an introduction to the profession that offers ample idea sharing, discussion of theory and skills, and opportunities to network

RD - Regional Director Regional directors serve as the chief administrator of their region, representing regional activities to other ACUI leaders and members.

Region VII - ACUI is broken down into eight separate regions that cover the globe. Region VII is made up of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland , New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Quebec.

RLT - Regional Leadership Team

VDT - Volunteer Development Team