Region II February 2019 Newsletter

February 2019 Newsletter In This Issue: Regional Leadership Team Spotlights Student Ambassador Spotlights Scholarship Recipient Reflections Upcoming Annual Conference Highlights Make Sure You "Highlight This!"

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From the Director Greetings Region II! The Regional Leadership Team is looking forward to offering many great opportunities to our members in 2019! Based on feedback we received on the Region II Membership Assessment Survey last year, we are putting your feedback into practice!

Here are some of the things coming up in Region II: --Awards & Scholarships Two I-LEADÂŽ Scholarships One IPDS: New Professionals Orientation Scholarship

--Drive-In Facility Tour and Roundtable Discussion at Two Host Institutions We will plan these for in May, June, or July Let us know if you are interested in being a host institution

--Monthly Newsletters Tune in to the great happenings in Region II As part of this newsletter we have the opportunity to highlight exciting news on your campus! Visit our form to submit information about building projects, programs, and staff/students who deserve recognition.

--Highlighting Practitioners Involved in Research Within Region II We would love to have you present on your research at a roundtable or in-person event Share the opportunity with faculty on your campus to present who are doing research related to building community, student activities, college unions, etc. on your campus

--Strengthening Inclusivity Within the Region We may be spread out as a region, but through engagement, we can strengthen our bonds We strive to have diversity in our volunteers, awards given, presenters, and participants in the range of opportunities provided through Region II

--Establish new networking opportunities where participants can partake without longdistance travel --Building our Student Ambassador Program I encourage each of you to take advantage of opportunities to get involved in your association whether it is in big or small ways. You can volunteer at a conference or educational event, serve on an awards and scholarships review team, apply for a leadership or conference planning team position, or host an ACUI event! (Visit the website to find out more.) Find a way to contribute or give back – whether it is volunteering an hour or donating $1, your participation can make a difference.

We look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis for the Annual Conference! Plan to attend the RII Meeting at the conference and network with other regional members!

Wendy Denman Region II Director

Regional Leadership Team Spotlights Alisha is one of your communications cocoordinators! She is relatively new to ACUI but feels like she has found her professional home in this organization. As her full-time job, she serves as a coordinator for student leadership development at the University of Texas-Austin.

When she is not planning events or scheduling communications, you can find her practicing yoga and eating pizza. . .sometimes at the same time.

Alisha Cahue Communications Co-Coordinator

Ashley Yong Student Ambassador, University of Missouri

Cassidy Sansone Communications Co-Coordinator Cassidy is new to Region II, working as the assistant director for student programs in the University Unions at the University of TexasAustin. A native Texan, after graduating from Texas A&M University in 2010 Cassidy spent the next eight years working in multiple states (Florida State University for her master’s, then three years each at Indiana University and UNC-Charlotte).

Cassidy is thrilled to be back in her home state and volunteering again with ACUI. She can be found on any given day reading a good book, listening to a true crime podcast, and/or eating tacos.

Hometown: Darien, IL Year in school: Senior Role in union/student center: I’m currently a dean of students student assistant. In the past I have been the unions programming coordinator and unions info desk ambassador.

Why did you sign up to be an ambassador?: I signed up to be an ambassador because getting to attend ACUI conferences as an undergraduate has really prepared me for graduate school and my future career in student affairs. I fell in love with the field through my first ACUI conference, and I want others to be able to experience and explore student affairs and college unions more!

Fun fact about you: I have given a TEDx Talk!

Student Ambassador Spotlight

Scholarship Recipient Reflection We love to highlight our regional award and scholarship winners. This month we feature Ryan Morgado (Rice University), our most recent IPDS: New Professionals Orientation Scholarship winner.

How did this scholarship (and the associated event) have an impact on your career?

IPDS was an incredible experience that provided me with connections and foundational knowledge in my profession that I hope to carry with me throughout my career. I’ve kept in touch with the people I met from this experience and they have provided valuable support in sharing professional resources and best practices.

What is one thing you learned from your ACUI experience?

As new professionals, we aren’t alone in our struggles with imposter syndrome, and trying to navigate the ups and downs of the profession. I value how vulnerable and real the other attendees were throughout the entire week. I’ve carried this with me as I continue to meet and interact with local professionals and encourage them to do the same.

Any advice for other students or professionals who are considering getting involved with ACUI? IPDS isn’t the first program from ACUI I’ve been involved in and it absolutely won't be the last. Every time I attend an ACUI program I continue to find passionate, selfless, open, and caring people that strive to better the lives of students and their fellow professionals. Never hesitate to get involved with ACUI, you won’t regret it.

Activity Corner

Annual Conference Notes Save the date for our Region II Meeting on Sunday, March 24 from 5-7 p.m.

Monday, March 25 will be ACUI Spirit Day — bring your ACUI gear!

Tuesday, March 26 will be Research Day, highlighting all the excellent work our staff and students are doing and all the knowledge being added to our field.

Visit the website for more information.

*A note: the online word search wouldn't let us submit both Kansas and Arkansas as clues. Our apologies to our Kansan friends!*

Highlight This!

Congratulations to Sam Houston State University on reopening the Lowman Student Center after a successful expansion! (Read more here.)

Check out the newly renovated Arkansas Union at The University of Arkansas on the cover of the newest issue of The Bulletin! (Read the article here.)

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!