Region III June 2025 Newsletter by ACUI

From the Regional Director - pages 2 & 3

Regional Leadership Team - pages 4 & 5

Regional Volunteer Opportunities - pages 6 & 7

2025 Regional Scholarship Winners - page 8

Good News - pages 9 & 10

2025 Regional Conference - page 11

Regional Conference Planning Team - pages 12 & 13

Upcoming Institutes & Seminars - page 14

June 2025

Pictured: Regional members and participants attending the 2024 Regional Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, and the 2025 Annual Conference in New York City.

Editors: Kimberly Joyner Communications Coordinator

Kevin Kish Promotions, 2025 Regional Conference

FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

James Contratto Regional Director

Summertime and the livin’s easy! For many of us, that post-graduation sigh of relief is real. The chaos quiets down, the students are mostly gone, and we get a moment to breathe. I still have to remind my non-higher ed friends, yet again, that no, I don’t get summers off, but I do appreciate what I like to call the “different kind of busy.” Summer gives us space to plan, reset goals, clear out that mysterious pile of promo material in the storage closet, and prepare for an exciting fall.

For Region III, summer is also our strategy season. Our Regional Leadership Team will meet virtually for our summer planning meeting to talk about membership engagement, educational programming, promotions, and new ways to strengthen our connections.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Conference Planning Team is headed to MIddle Tennessee State University for their site visit. They’ll be scoping out the union, assessing spaces, and getting inspired to create an engaging, meaningful conference experience for our students and emerging professionals.

I’m consistently grateful for the incredible volunteers in our region. Their dedication, creativity, and time (especially over the summer months) make all of this possible. Whether you’re serving on a team, hosting an event, or just cheering us on from your campus, thank you for the energy you bring to Region III.

Summer is a great time for you to think about your engagement with ACUI.. We have 3 open positions on the Regional Leadership Team which you’ll read about in this newsletter We also have short term opportunities coming soon to review awards and scholarships. Want to bring the 2026 Regional Conference to your campus? Let’s talk as applications are now open! Thinking about presenting an educational session for the 2025 conference? It’s never too early to dream it up.

(Continued on page 3)

FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

There are so many opportunities to make Region III your home and your voice matters. I encourage you to reflect on how you’d like to get involved, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of the RLT members. We’d love to help you find your place.

Until next time, enjoy your summer, embrace the planning season, and know that you’re making a difference. (Also, save me a plate at your summer cookout and I’ll do the same for you!)

Keep ROCKIN Region III.

James Contratto Region III Director

Mr. Contratto is the Executive Director for Student Involvement at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. He can be reached at contrattoj@charleston.edu.

2025 REGIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

James Contratto

College of Charleston

2025 REGIONAL CONFERENCE CHAIR

Darien Garrison University of Alabama at Birmingham

BUSINESS MANAGER

Jim Greene

Appalachian State University

2026 REGIONAL CONFERENCE CHAIR

Sadie Katie Hampton

Middle Tennessee State University

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Kimberly Joyner

Georgia Institute of Technology

2025 REGIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

RECOGNITION COORDINATOR

Robert Edmiston

University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Daniel McFadden

East Carolina University

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR

Brooklyn Barnes

Vanderbilt University

STUDENT MEMEBER

Keira Ballard

University of South Florida - St. Petersburg

INCLUSIVITY COORDINATOR

Coordinator

2025 REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

Region III awarded three scholarships to three individuals to cover registration fees for one of ACUI’s upcoming institutes or seminars. These scholarships aim to support the professional development of both students and emerging professionals working in student unions, student activities, or facilities management.

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

Ella Burt, University of South Florida St. Petersburg attending I-LEAD

Zachary Knight, Georgia Institute of Technology attending IPDS

TeNeshia White, Costal Carolina University attending Facilities and Building Management Seminar

GOOD NEWS IN REGION III

A Leader Leaves Behind a Legacy

Former ACUI president and regional director Dr. Kim D. Harrington retired from Georgia Tech in May 2025, concluding a remarkable 24-year career dedicated to building campus community. Kim began her journey at the Institute as Associate Director of Operations in the Student Center before advancing to the role of Senior Director. At the time of her retirement, she served as the inaugural Associate Vice President for the Arts, Belonging and Community division at Georgia Tech. Her leadership extended beyond campus through her service with ACUI, first as regional director from 2005–2007 and later as ACUI president from 2014–2015.

(Continued on page 10)

GOOD NEWS IN REGION III

ACUI President Ian Crone spoke at Kim’s retirement celebration on May 30, recogniz her invaluable contributions to the associa and her lasting influence on the next gener of campus community builders.

In a special tribute, the Georgia Tech Stude and Campus Event Centers leadership team announced the renaming of the departmen student employee scholarship in her hono known as the Dr. Kim D. Harrington Studen Employee Scholarship, the award, as described on the department’s website, "ensures that Kim’s passion for community, service, and student empowerment continues to shape the future of Georgia Tech."

We are deeply grateful for Kim’s many years of service to the association and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter.

For more information on the Dr. Kim D. Harrington Student Employee Scholarship and how you can contribute, visit the website.

Direct URL: www.studentcenter.gatech.edu/drkdhscholarship

SoTellUsAboutThem!

From left to right: Region III Communications Coordinator Kimberly Joyner, ACUI President Ian Crone, and Kim Harrington

Whether you’re celebrating a promotion, a graduation, or a growing family, we want to recognize the milestones of our members. If you’d like your story to be featured on our social media channels and newsletter, email our Recognition Coordinator, Robert Edmiston, at edmistonr@usfedu or send us a direct message online

Kim Harrington (center) looks on as former students and staff give speeches in her honor

2025 REGIONAL CONFERENCE

NOVEMBER 5 - 7, 2025

THE POWER OF US: THE POWER OF US: ENERGIZING PEOPLE AND SPACES ENERGIZING PEOPLE AND SPACES

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at this year’s regional conference, hosted at the stunning Middle Tennessee State University Student Union! Opened in 2012, this 211,000 square-foot hub is packed with everything you need — from a buzzing food court and game room to a full-service bookstore, copier shop, and flexible event spaces designed to bring your conference to life.

But the excitement doesn’t stop on campus! Dive into the heart of Murfreesboro, a city alive with energy, history, and a vibrant music scene. Craving even more? You’re just a short drive away from the world-famous sounds and sights of Nashville!

With this year’s theme “The Power of Us: Energizing People and Spaces,” we’re all about empowering each other in the service of building campus communities. Look for information about conference registration, lodging, and educational session proposal submissions on our website and social media channels soon!