LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
DearCIVSAMembers,
Ihopeyoursemesteriswrappinguponahighnote, andyourfalleventsandvisitshavebeenasuccess Thisseasonalwaysbringsarenewedsenseof energytoourwork,andIamgratefulforallyoudo tocreatewelcomingspacesforprospective studentsandtheirfamilies.
IamexcitedtosharethatCIVSAhasofficially transitionedtousingSlateasournewAssociation CRM.Thismoveallowsustostreamlinemembership management,conferenceregistration,andaccess toresourcesallinoneplace.Weknowtransitions taketime,sowetrulyappreciateyourpatienceand supportaswecontinueenhancingyourmember experience.
StudentDevelopmentInstitute(SDI)registrationisstill open!JoinusJanuary8–10,2026,inPortland,Oregon, foraweekendfilledwithlearning,networking,and professionalgrowth.Eachyear,SDIbringstogether studentsandprofessionalsfromnearly100institutions, andwecan’twaittoseeyouthere.Registrationcloses December12,sobesuretosecureyourspot.
AnnualConference–Minneapolis,MN|May26–30,2026
Registrationisnowlive!OurAnnualConferenceCommitteeisalreadyplanninganinspiringevent featuringdynamicspeakers,engagingsessions,andplentyofopportunitiestoconnectwithyour CIVSAcommunity.
Asyouplanfortheseupcomingevents,don’tforgettotakeadvantageofourscholarship opportunities CIVSAoffersseveralscholarshipstohelpoffsetregistrationcostsandencourage memberparticipation besuretoreviewthedetailsonourwebsiteandapplybeforetheposted deadlines
Weknowourinstitutionsandthehighereducationcommunityarefacingunprecedented challenges RememberthatCIVSAisheretosupportyou Fromeducationalprogrammingto meaningfulconnections,ourcommitteesandvolunteersareworkinghardtoprovidevaluable resourcesandwaysformemberstolearnandgrowtogether Ifthere’sanythingIcandotosupportyou,pleasedon’thesitatetoreachout Thankyouforbeing partoftheCIVSAcommunityandIlookforwardtoawonderfulyearahead
By Ilana Ciccone - St John’s University
A BRIGHT FUTURE –INTRODUCING CIVSA’S NEW STRATEGIC PLAN
By Julee Mitsler - Lindenwood University
TheCollegiateInformat &VisitorServicesAssoc isproudtointroduceits 2025–2028StrategicPla designedtostrengthen missionandelevatethe campusvisitand informationservices profession Through thoughtfulcollaboration andmemberinput,the planoutlinesprioritiest reflecttheevolving needsofourassociatio andthehighereducatio landscape.
Membersareencourag p g p website Learnmoreaboutourthreegoals–Development,Collaboration,and Engagement Thesegoalsandthedetailedinitiativeswillshapeourworkoverthenext threeyears.Whetheryou'realong-timememberornewtoCIVSA,thisplanoffersaclear pathforwardandopportunitiestoengageinmeaningfulways.Together,wewillcontinue toadvanceourfieldandsupportoneanotherinoursharedcommitmenttoexcellence.
The2025-28StrategicPlanistheworkofmanymembersandwasspearheadedbythe StrategicPlanningCommittee.SincerethanksgotoBrianChaney(BowlingGreenState University),SydneyJones(UniversityofCentralArkansas),LisaMcGrady(FloridaState University),LexiPetrak(EastTennesseeStateUniversity),andcommitteechairJulee Mitsler(LindenwoodUniversity)
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE HEADS TO PORTLAND IN 2026
By Sarah Splinter - University of Wisconsin-Madison
TheStudentDevelopmentInstitute(SDI)isjustaroundthecorner!ThisJanuary8-10,we are bringing campus ambassadors and their advisors together for an unforgettable experience in Portland, Oregon Hosted at the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, SDI is more than a conference it’s a space for growth, connection, and leadership. Students will engage in peer-led sessions, small group discussions, and explore trending topics in campus visits, all while enjoying Portland’s vibrant culture and renowned food scene. Advisors can expect rich professional development opportunities, networking,andbestpracticesharingwithcolleaguesfromacrossthecountry
Thisyear’skeynotespeaker,TiannaFayeSoto,promisestodeliverapowerfulmessage.A nationally recognized voice in student empowerment, Tianna is celebrated for her dynamicstorytellingandabilitytoconnectacrossculturesandidentities.Herexpertisein mental health, wellness, and servant leadership inspires audiences to embrace their journeywithclarityandconfidence
Adding to the excitement, SDI will debut its inaugural Case Study Competition. Students will team up to tackle and solve real-world scenarios they might encounter as campus ambassadors, putting their leadership and critical thinking skills to the test. Teams will present their solutions to a panel of professional judges and receive valuable feedback Institutionscanindicateinterestduringregistrationwithofficialsign-upstakingplacevia thepre-conferencesurvey
Andwhat’sagrea conferencewitho theme?CampSD summercampvi adashofmystery astheconference closingdinnerthe creativity,connec maybeevenafew lurkingintheOreg wilderness.Packy flannelsandbring trailmixoftalents transformPortlan ultimateleadersh campsite.Registr December12,don
BELONGING AND RETENTION COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT
By Keisha Jordan - Valencia College
Overthepastfewmonths,ourExecutiveBoardandcommitteemembershavebeen reflectingonhowtobettersupportandupliftallvoiceswithintheCIVSAcommunity.Asa result,we’reexcitedtosharethattheDiversityandInclusionCommitteehasevolvedinto theBelongingandRetentionCommittee
This change represents more than just a new name it’s a renewed commitment to makingsureeveryCIVSAmemberfeelsseen,supported,andconnected.Ourcommittee will work alongside all board committees to keep belonging, inclusion, and retention at theheartofeverythingwedo
Thisyear,we’refocusingon: Creatingsharedlanguageandresourcestopromoteinclusivecommunicationacross CIVSA
Building connections with community colleges, HBCUs, and other underrepresented institutionstogrowandstrengthenourmembership.
We’re excited for what’s ahead and invite you to join us in helping make CIVSA a space whereeveryonetrulybelongs.
Don’tforgettoutilizethebenefitsofyourCIVSAmembershipbyloggingintothe MemberPortal!Here,youcanregisterforevents,accessDiscourse,viewthemember directory,andmore!