NEWSLETTER February 2024
Pictured: Sheraton Denver Downtown, home of the 2024 ACUI Conference
IN THIS ISSUE From the Regional Director - page 2 Regional Award Winners - pages 3 & 4 Regional Conference Photo Recap - pages 5 - 7 Fall Conference Scholarship Winners - page 8 Conference Sponsors Thank You - page 9 Good News - page 10 Call for Volunteers - page 11 2024 Annual Conference Activities - page 12 Fall 2024 Conference Host Site Reveal - page 13
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FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Regional Director Dr. Stephen McCay (He, Him, His) Associate Director for Operations University of Southern Mississippi stephen.mccay@usm.edu 2024 is here! It is hard to believe that the new year is here, and January is gone. Looking back at 2023, Region III accomplished so much. We hosted a great conference at North Carolina A&T State University. In the fall, we hosted 2 webinars on belonging. And we started up a student advisory board. There were scholarships and awards handed out during the year. Region III did a lot and tried new things. Some things we know could have been better and we continue to know where to improve from your feedback. As we kick off 2024, we are ready to try even more new things. There are still a few opportunities for you to apply for the RLT or CPT. As we get new members for the Regional Leadership Team, we will be off and running. We are going to continue serving the region and its members with even more opportunities to get connected. We are talking about more virtual gatherings, some social and some educational. We want to engage more with the programming side of the house. Hopefully, we can host a drive-in and I know we are spread out as a region. We will make sure it is a central location for multiple institutions to be within driving distance. Prior to the annual conference, we will have a business meeting. While we will have business items to discuss, there will be a fun activity for attendees to enjoy. Please be sure to put that on your calendar when it is finalized and shared out from the Central Office. We will also have some time together in Denver. There we will get to eat, hear a few updates, and fellowship. This will be a great time for the region to be together and interact with peers from other regions too. Right now, we have 84 people registered for Denver. I know others plan on joining us and pushing us over 100 attendees. I hope to see you there and connect. 2024 is going to be a great year. There will be lots planned and ways for you to do some episodic volunteering. Reach out if you need anything, we are all here for one another and moving our region forward together.
Congratulations!
to our 2023 Region III Award Winners: "Tennessee Saturday Night", University of Tennessee - Knoxville Student Union/ Campus Activities Program of the Year This award recognizes any program that fosters the enhancement of the campus community or furthers the development of students. The application for this award must include a summary of the program (with program title and description), intended learning outcomes, and evidence of goals achieved.
Vanderbilt University Student Art Inclusivity Initiative/ Program Award This award recognizes Region III institution that is advancing campus community through a campus-sponsored program that has a positive impact on campus and beyond and that fosters a campus environment that values diversity and fosters inclusivity for all. These programs should focus on supporting underrepresented/ served communities on campus and in society and/or educating the rest of the campus community about inclusivity issues.
Hayden Blakeman - University of Southern Mississippi Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader This award is given to an outstanding undergraduate student at a member institution of Region III who has shown a dedicated work ethic in the student union/student activities field. The nominated individual will have demonstrated significant contributions to their home campus and have served as a role model for fellow peers and students in addition to exemplifying the core values of the Association in their work and studies.
Marie-Clare Ofoegbu, Elon University Outstanding Graduate Student Leader This award is given to an outstanding graduate student at a member institution of Region III who has shown a dedicated work ethic in the student union/student activities field. The nominated individual will have demonstrated significant contributions to their home campus and have served as a role model for fellow peers and students in addition to exemplifying the core values of the Association in their work and studies.
Be on the lookout for future opportunities to nominate students and colleagues for other ACUI Awards and Scholarships!
Congratulations! Congratulations! Robert Edmiston, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg New Professional Award The New Professional Award is given to a new professional within Region III who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the profession and Region III. This award includes a $500 scholarship for professional development. Recipients of this award are active in their campus community and ACUI initiatives.
Joshua Moore, Coastal Carolina University Outstanding Advisor-Mentor Award The Outstanding Advisor-Mentor Award was created to recognize significant leadership, volunteer service, and commitment to student development or the development of new professionals. This new award recognizes a professional staff member who has served as a mentor to new staff, students, and emerging young professionals in the college union and student affairs field.
Sammie Kunz, East Carolina University Outstanding Volunteer Award The Outstanding Volunteer Award will be presented to a member of Region III who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and success in their volunteer role or roles within the Association during the previous 12 months. Any individual employed by an ACUI member institution is eligible for the award. The individual must also have performed at least one non-Leadership Team role in the last 12 months (e.g., Conference Program Team member, community of practice leader, volunteer at the annual conference, etc.).
Robert McNair, North Carolina A & T State University Smith - Steele Award for Professional Service The purpose of the award is to recognize union and student activities professionals of Region III member institutions who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the profession, Region III, ACUI, and their campus community. The nominee must be a staff member of an active ACUI member institution and have been in the profession for a minimum of 10 years. The recipient will receive a $500 monetary award. The Smith-Steele Award for Professional Staff is named for two individuals who have dedicated their lives to the profession: C. Shaw Smith and Richard Steele. Smith served as the first union director for Davidson College for more than 30 years, the Region 5 coordinator twice, and as the ACUI national director. Steele served Region 6 as a member of the Regional Leadership Team, as a regional director, and as an ACUI president.
REGIONAL CONFERENCE PHOTOS SITTING TOGETHER TO STAND FOR THE FUTURE
Wednesday
Conference Registration at the Hampton Inn & Suites
Desmond Dunklin providing the Student Welcome
2023 Conference Chair, Kyle McAlear keeping an eye on the Conference Welcome and Dinner
Conference Registration at the NC A&T Student Center
Dr. Stephen McCay, Sammie Kunz, and Sara Cope providing the Newcomers Welcome
Thanks to TJohnE for hosting Thinkfast on Wednesday night!
REGIONAL CONFERENCE PHOTOS SITTING TOGETHER TO STAND FOR THE FUTURE
Thursday
Silent Auction Items
Kathleen Hurley from Wake Forest University presenting educational session on Student Employment
Dr. Dean Smith and Gabriela Lemus from ECU and Jeff Stebar from Perkins & Will presenting an ed session on “Welcoming Design for Everyone”
All-Conference Session Panel: “Sitting Together to Stand for Our Future
The information sharing that makes attending an ACUI Regional Conference so valuable!
REGIONAL CONFERENCE PHOTOS SITTING TOGETHER TO STAND FOR THE FUTURE
Friday
A morning educational session
One of several service projects
James Contratto serving as our Auctioneer!
James Contratto driving up the bids at the Live Auction which raised over $2,000 for scholarships!
Thank you to our Host Site Coordinator, Rachel Whitsett
Dr. Melody Pierce, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at NC A&T State University at the Closing Banquet
Thanks to Lightning Events for hosting ACUI After Dark!
Click here to view more conference photos taken by NC A&T Marketing Coordinator, Jazmen Barnes.
Congratulations! to our 2023 Region III Conference Scholarship Recipients: Thanks to the scholarship funds raised by Region III at previous conference and other donations the following individuals received scholarships to cover the cost of their registration to the Fall Conference!
First Time Attendees: Darren Stewart, North Carolina Central University Jarvis Blanding, North Carolina Central University
Student Attendees Abby Silvers, Appalachian State University Jaisha White, Georgia State University Liam Mason, Florida International University
Educational Session Presenters
Mariana Baquero, University of Florida Brooklyn Barnes, Vanderbilt University This year’s silent and live auctions at the regional conference raised over $2,000 to support the Region III Scholarship Fund.
Be on the lookout for future opportunities to nominate students and colleagues for other ACUI Awards and Scholarships!
THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS!
The 2023 CPT would also like to thank North Carolina A&T State University for hosting this year’s regional conference.
GOOD NEWS! Cassidy Jimerson Cassidy returns to the University of Alabama at Birmingham as the Hill Student Center's Student Employment Coordinator after graduating from UAB with her degree in 2019. In her role, she has a direct impact on the development and mentorship of 50 student employees. Welcome Cassidy! Jeremiah Johnson Jeremiah was recently successful in completing his Student Affairs Educator certification with an additional specialized certification in College Unions. Jeremiah is leading the way on his campus and is an innovative professional in Higher Education. Congratulations to Jeremiah!
James Contratto We asked about 5Ks or marathons, and James Contratto delivered. He recently completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC on October 29, 2023. He ran it with a time of 3:49:42 and this was his 6th marathon that he has completed.
Student Advisory Council ACUI is building an advisory committee to help our Regional Leadership Team (RLT) and Conference Planning Team (CPT) members to include the student perspective. It is a way for students to participate in decisions regarding them. The RLT ad CPT are looking for eager students to be part of this committee and share ideas to encourage involvement during the conference, as well as throughout the year. Meetings will be held virtually so no travel is required.
This could be you!
WE WANT YOUR GOOD NEWS! Get a new position or add a new staff member to your department? Run a 5k or marathon? Complete a degree or certificate? Achieve a personal or professional goal of any type? ACUI Region III wants to know and celebrate you! Any questions? Please reach out to Darien Garrison, Recognition Coordinator at dmgarrison@uab.edu.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! Regional Leadership Team (RLT) -2025 Regional Conference Coordinator (2-year term) -2 Communications Coordinators (Both a 2-year term and 1-year term) -Education Program Coordinator (1-year term) -Inclusivity Coordinator (1-year term) -Recognition Coordinator (1-year term) -Business Manager (2-year term) Need to talk to someone who previously held the position? Use this listing to contact them.
2024 Regional Conference Planning Team (CPT) (1-year term) Corporate Sponsorship Educational Sessions Pre-conference activities Let us know your area of interest. More information and the application for the RLT or CPT are available here.
Student Advisory Council (1-year term) -5 student members from across Region III (Preferably one from a different state in the region) -Monthly meetings (virtual) to discuss student engagement for conference -Advisory Council facilitated ed session for students at the conference -Area of focus would be student engagement and participation at the Regional & Annual Conference -Sending one member to I-Lead
Thank you to the 2023 Conference Planning Team!
JOIN US IN DENVER MARCH 24 - 28! The 2024 Annual Conference will be an opportunity to come together in a caring community of colleagues who also tie-in to the work you do to rejuvenate, elevate, connect, and celebrate each other. The focus of our time together will be around the following pillars: Connections and Community Sustainability Belonging and Affirming Spaces Additionally, the Annual Conference has educational goals to connect with three of ACUI’s Core Competencies—student learning, human resources, and planning. We hope you join us March 24–28, 2024 in Denver!
The Region III Gathering and Dinner will take place on Sunday, March 24 from 5-6:30 p.m. Be ready to join your Region III colleagues for a meal, a great time and some swag.
Region III Virtual Business Meeting Can’t come to Denver but want to know what’s going on in Region III? There will be a Region III Virtual Business Meeting scheduled in March and we will let you know the date and time as soon as it is confirmed with the Central Office.
2024 FALL CONFERENCE REVEAL! OCTOBER 23 - 25, 2024 James Contratto, the 2024 Regional III Conference Chair, and the rest of the Regional Leadership team are excited to announce that the region is heading to the "magic city" for 2024! Our host site will be the Hill Student Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The Hill Student Center (The HILL) is the home of several student services and activities on the UAB campus. Construction of the facility was completed on the site of the former Hill University Center, on the block between 7th Avenue South and University Boulevard and between 14th and 15th Avenue South. Construction of the new 162,00square-foot, four-story facility began in 2013 and ended Spring of 2016. It was designed by Hastings & Chivetta Architects of St Louis, Missouri with Herrington Architects of Birmingham. Doster Construction built the center for $35 million. Like its predecessor, the building was named for former UAB President S. Richardson Hill. Within the facility are multiple functional areas focused on serving students including; a multi-media campus visitors' center, a 700+ seat multi-purpose room which can be divided as required, a 250+ seat theater, a food court with established franchises like Panera and Full Moon BBQ, student serving offices and reservable meeting spaces. Retail tenants are set to include the UAB Bookstore (Barnes & Noble), Starbucks Coffee, Panera, Full Moon BBQ, Mein Bowl Asian, and UAB AskIT TechConnect.
Click the link below to watch a highlight video of the "HILL".
About the Hill
FOLLOW US ON Social Media @acuiregioniii Would you like to be featured in our next newsletter? Are you working on anything exciting that you would like to share with the region? Fun project on your campus? Research that you believe will help colleagues? New programming idea? Send it to us! Please contact Communications Coordinator Boyd Beckwith at bbeckwith@gsu.edu with any questions.