April 2019 Region II Newsletter

April 2019 Newsletter In This Issue: Annual Conference Recap Annual Conference Photo Collage Regional Leadership Team & Student Ambassador Spotlights Make Sure You "Highlight This!"

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Annual Conference Recap Here's what you missed from the Region II Business Meeting at #ACUI19 Save The Date: 2019 Region II Conference October 25–27, 2019 University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR Conference Theme: Reflecting Forward

Regional Award Applications Due in September Bernard Pitts Role of the College Union Award Rising Star Award Shirley Bird Perry Distinguished Service Award Shirley Plakidas New Professional Award William H. Smith Outstanding Professional Award

Seeking Student Ambassadors!

We need awesome students (undergraduate or graduate) to serve as liaisons between ACUI Region II and their student union/student center as well as their campus student population. Their tasks would include keeping in touch with the Region II Student Member, participating in ambassador monthly group communication, communicating opportunities happening at ACUI, giving one presentation each semester to a student group at your student union/student center, and sharing great things your staff is doing with ACUI. If you have interest or want to recommend someone, please email Laura at LBates@truman.edu or Neil at bourgeois6886@live.missouristate.edu.

We're looking for one student from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mexico to help us create our network.

Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities Awards & Scholarships Team Educational Program Team Review Team for Educational Sessions Communications Team Visit the ACUI website for more information on these positions.

See you in Arkansas October 25–27!

#ACUI19 Photo Collage

ACUI Regional Directors Photo by @davidjlemon

Region II Meeting Selfie!

Photo by @neilio_2013

Dr. Rob Stagni & Deepti Chadee at the closing banquet Photo by @rfstagni

Creative attendees recap the #ACUITalks portion of the conference through doodles Photo & doodle by @acuiregionv

ACUI President Jennifer Zamora tells us: "Don't throw away your shot" Photo by @acuiregionii

Regional Leadership Team members Alisha Cahue, Kat Romero, and Neil Bourgeois pose for a photo Photo by @alisha_dances

We love our Region II members!

Photo by @kjmstl

Regional Leadership Team Spotlights Ruben Mercado currently serves as the assistant director of the University of Texas–San Antonio College of Engineering Student Success Center.

He is the current Membership Experience Coordinator for the region. Ruben has been involved with ACUI since 2017 as a volunteer at ILEAD®. He enjoys running and spending time with his dog Patrick.

Ruben Mercado Membership Experience Coordinator

Emmanuel Allen Student Ambassador, Texas A&M University–Commerce

Bailee Myers Awards & Scholarships Coordinator

Bailee Myers is the marketing and events coordinator at the University of Kansas. She is serving in her second year on the Regional Leadership Team as the Awards and Scholarships Coordinator. For a current list of our scholarships and deadlines, visit the Regional Scholarships website.

Hometown: Carson, California Year in school: Senior Role in union/student center: Student liaison between staff and student workers; assisting in planning for fall training Why did you sign up to be an ambassador?: I wanted to connect the ACUI experience with more of my co-workers as well as helping my school more involved in union to union communication.

Fun Fact about you: I sing and cook, sometimes at the same time.

Student Ambassador Spotlight

Highlight This!

The University of North Texas University Union just updated their wayfinding throughout the building. Being built on a hill, there are many challenges for guests as they can enter on the first, second, or third floor. Updates to signage better highlight offices and services, as well as help guests navigate the building. Kudos to the University of North Texas's marketing and design team for their great work!

The University of Houston is excited to host a Summer Assessment Symposium on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. They are looking for program proposals and registration is now open!

Visit their website for more details.

Washington University in St. Louis is proud to announce: the DUC (Danforth University Center) is celebrating their tenth birthday! They have ten events to celebrate and highlight their beautiful building.

Festivities kicked off at the end of March and run through April. Congratulations to the DUC team!

Region II had SEVERAL celebrations at the Annual Conference: --Congratulations to Tara Benson and Victoria Rice of Missouri State University on receiving the ACUI Research and Education Grant!

--Congratulations to Eve Esch of the University of Houston on receiving the Edward S. "Beanie" Drake Founders Award!

--Congratulations to Jennifer Zamora of the University of Texas– Austin on her inauguration as ACUI President!

We want to highlight the AMAZING things our regional members are doing. Are you opening a new building? Celebrating awesome staff? Charting new territory or refining best practices? Let us know at this link to be featured in upcoming newsletters & social media posts!