NEWSLETTER
Page 1-2: Letter to the Region
Page 3: June Webinar: AI Scholarships Available
Page 4: Summer Drive-In
Page 5: Conference Updates
Page 6: Inclusivity Corner
Page 7-10: Meet Your Regional Leadership Team Members
Letter from the Regional Director
Dear Region II,
I trust this message finds you well as we bid adieu to the hustle and bustle of the spring semester and embrace the warmth of summer As we transition into this slower pace, let's pause for a moment of selfreflection and extend gratitude to ourselves for the invaluable work we continue to do within our student unions across the region.
While I'm still finding my footing as your regional director, please know that my door – metaphorical or virtual – is always open Whether you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to chat, I'm here for you
The Regional Directors focus remains steadfast on the 2024-2029 strategic pillar 2, aimed at reengaging and supporting members at the local level. Through the diligent efforts of our regional directors, we're leveraging insights from the Regional Engagement Task Force report to enhance regional experiences and engagement across the association. Our five key areas of focus include: The Role of the Regions, Financial Models, Regional Conferences, Volunteer Structures, and regional engagement through community building opportunities, networking,
Kat Masters Regional Director
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Included Topics
JUNE 2024
Kat Masters Regional Director Continued on next page
Region II Members at Annual Conference in Denver, March 2024
Letter from the Regional Director (cont.)
and local educational experiences. Good things are coming. ◡
Exciting times lie ahead for Region II, with great events slated for this summer and fall. Keep clicking through this newsletter for details about our upcoming Webinar, Drive-In, and Regional Conference at UTSA. We're thrilled to welcome you to San Antonio for a weekend filled with fiestas, lotería, insightful keynotes, and enriching educational sessions.
Our region thrives on the dedication of our incredible volunteers, and we're still on the lookout for one more. If you or someone you know would make an excellent conference chair for 2025, send them our way! Volunteering within our region has been a source of immense joy for me, and I can attest to the unparalleled relationships forged within the Leadership & Conference Planning Teams. If you're even remotely considering volunteering, reach out to myself or a member of the Regional Leadership Team – you won't regret it.
As we bid farewell, I encourage you to ponder potential topics for presentation at our regional conference in November ;) And remember, amidst all the excitement, it's crucial to carve out time for self-care. After all, we can't serve our students to the best of our abilities if we neglect our own well-being
I eagerly anticipate our gathering in San Antonio this Nove fiesta planning commence!
Warm regards,
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KatMasters
JUNE WEBINAR: AI-POWERED CAMPUS What’
JOIN US: TUESDAY, JUNE 18 - 1:00 PM CT
Zoom Info:
https://iu zoom us/j/91510373108?pwd=LzV0YWc3azVmQjRpWWQvVlpGY2h3dz09 Enter password: 175407
Join us for an engaging webinar designed to demystify AI’s role in Student Affairs, with a special focus on marketing. Whether you’re new to the concept or still exploring how AI can enhance your department, this session is tailored for you. Learn how ChatGPT is transforming marketing strategies and student engagement. Gain insights, practical tips, and see realworldexamplesthatwillhelpyouseamlesslyintegrateAI intoyouroperations.Don’tmisstheopportunitytopropel yourdepartmentforwardwithinnovativeAIapplications!
NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS
ACUI Region II is proud to offer scholarships that help advance professionals and students through participation in our various ACUI-affiliated educational seminars and conferences. Scholarships can cover either the cost of travel or registration All qualified seminars, deadlines, and materials needed are listed on the application
Region II will accept applications on a rolling basis until our scholarship funding is gone for 2024!
Apply TODAY!
About the Speaker: Anna Pursley is the Associate Director of Student Development and Communication at the Lowman Student Center on the beautiful SHSU campus She has worked inside the LSC for almost four years and previously worked in weddings and events With a BBA in Marketing, Anna cares deeply about storytelling and is always excited to talk shop. She currently oversees a small marketing team made up of students and handles the social media, website, and print designs for her department. 02/02
For More Info:
https://acui.org/regions/region-ii/region-ii-awards-scholarships/
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Our next ACUI Region II Drive-In will be held Friday, July 26th. 2024 at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri! More information on the who’s, the what’s, the when’s, and the where’s will follow soon, so please mark your calendars and keep an eye out for our social media and email updates!
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2024 Region II ConferenceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio
November 8-10, 2024
Resilient Rivers: Navigating
Challenge & Embracing Change
Our Keynotes and Panels chair Edna Zambrano is hard at work securing some amazing keynote speakers for our conference. This year’s conference theme is based around resilience and navigating challenges/change, we are looking for ed sessions and keynotes that align with that theme.
Our goal for the conference is to come together as a region and share stories of how we have navigated the ever changing geography of Student Affairs and Higher education throughout the last few years. If you have any knowledge to share please submit an educational session proposal to pass that vital information on to the rest of the region! CPT cannot wait to see everyone at the conference and we hope you all are as excited as we are to visit beautiful San Antonio and UTSA!
Important Conference Dates:
June 10 - Registration Opens
June 14 - Educational Session Proposals Open
August 2 - Regional Conference Scholarship Deadline
November 8-10 - Conference Dates
For any questions, reach out to Mikey Bullock at mrb108@shsu edu
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Inclusivity Corner
Did you know ACUI has a DEI Toolkit? The kit helps one explore themselves and others through curiosity, self-reflection and active dialogue because diversity is greater than what you can see. Videos, discussions guides, self assessments, a mini-course and more are just a click away! It can even give you something to do at a staff training in the future too!
What’
Here are some Summer Awareness Days, Weeks, & Months we can think of or celebrate even when the majority of our students are away for summer:
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Military Appreciation Month
June is Black Music Appreciation Month
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
June 12 is Loving Day
June 19 is Juneteenth
July is Disability Pride Month
August 26 is Women's Equality Day Did we miss any? Let us know!
ACUI Communities of Practice
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Get Connected with ACUI’s identity based Community of Practices using this step-by-step process - you can even join functional area communities too: Go to acui org and login 1 Under "Resources" click on "Communities of Practice" 2. Once there, go to "Communities" and click on "Communities" 3. Scroll down the list and click the purple "Join" button on communities you want to be part of 4 Click on the individual community (or communities if you join multiple) and go to "Settings" to manage email frequency - weekly, daily, real-time, etc. 5 Post a discussion,
previous posts, get involved! Let everyone
great
we
Region II! 6 For any questions, reach out to Caleb Eubanks at eubanks@ucmo.edu
read
know the
things
do in
Meet your Region II Leadership Team
KAT MASTERS
Regional Director
Introducing Kat Masters: M Ed in Student Affairs, Event Services Coordinator at TXST, and proud Austin native With a flair for creating unforgettable experiences, Kat seamlessly blends her expertise in student affairs with her talent for event coordination Off the clock, she's a comedy show aficionado, often spotted hanging out with her husband and beloved pets And don't be surprised if she's also celebrating her uncanny knack for winning radio tickets to concerts!
MIKEY
BULLOCK
2024 Conference Coordinator
Hello everyone! I am the Assistant DIrector of Operations at Sam Houston State University I have been on the CPT the last few years in Region II and never did I imagine that I would quickly become the one building a team and planning the whole thing I am most excited for my role because I get to be a part of two amazing teams within Region II, the Regional Leadership Team and the Conference Planning Team! Both of which are filled with amazing people who cannot wait to give Region II a conference experience they will remember for a long time I volunteer with ACUI to build my bubble and find more friends that are just like me and are on the same Higher Education rollercoaster ride that I am ACUI is my home away from home, my calm in the storm, and the bright light at the end of a hard day.
ANDREA MARQUEZ Communications Coordinator
I serve as the Assistant Director for the University Program Council (programming board) at the University of North Texas I’m originally from Michigan and can show you where I’m from on my hand (like all true Michiganders) and my hobbies are reading, crafting, and video games I’ve been involved with the region in several capacities (Keynotes Chair for 2022 and Conference Chair for 2023) and have loved meeting this new hilarious and wonderful ACUI family I volunteer to give back to this really amazing group of people and institutions.
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Meet your Region II Leadership Team (cont)
TAYLOR MOREY Communications Coordinator
Hi! I am the Marketing Coordinator for Texas State University in San Marcos and I have been working with the team for a couple of months now! I was born and raised in Austin and my hobbies include literally anything I choose a new hyper-fixation every month and I love it I’m excited to see where being on this team takes me and can’t wait for what we have planned!
CAITY
HOOVER
Educational Programs Coordinator
Caity is the Assistant Director of Student Engagement at Rice University, where she specializes in leadership development and resource innovation In addition to her role at Rice, Caity serves on the Regional Leadership Team for ACUI Region II as the Educational Programs Coordinator Motivated by a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to foster innovation, Caity joined the RLT to support and drive new initiatives within the field of student affairs.
AUSTIN PACE Business Manager
I have been with the Texas Tech University for 11 years and currently sever as the Assistant Director overseeing Events and Guest Services In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, reading, playing any type of game with my wife, and the gym I was a late comer to ACUI, only becoming involved after moving into my current role Upon deciding this was my career path, I was happy to get involved when the opportunity arose, and it has given me many great friendships and connections Being involved in the RLT has been a way for me to help bring people together with a common cause to further ourselves, our institutions, and ultimately better serve our campus communities
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Meet your Region II Leadership Team (cont)
MIKAYLA LEADER Recognition Coordinator
I serve as the Program Coordinator for the KU Memorial Union I chose to volunteer with ACUI after attending a couple regional conferences and seeing how much fun the volunteers had hosting, planning and connecting with everyone else! It's such an invaluable experience in connecting and learning from staff members of other institutions and appreciating the distinctions that uniquely define each of us as the optimal choice for our students
CALEB EUBANKS
Inclusivity Coordinator
I am the Union Marketing & Communication Manager at University of Central Missouri Fun Fact: I grew up on a tomato farm, but I don't eat them What excites me most about my role on RLT is being able to share with other region's Inclusivity Coordinators and the association's DEI Program Team what we are doing in Region II - from how we're rocking it or going through it
IYKYK (If you know, you know) I chose to volunteer because I like connecting with people from other institutions and working towards a greater goal together whether on the regional or association level
SERGIO RENOVATO-VASQUEZ
Membership Experience Coordinator
I'm a proud first-generation immigrant originally from Matamoros, Tamaulipas Mexico. I am an Assistant Director for the University of North Texas Union and the supervisor for the Center for Student Affairs at Discovery Park. I currently serve as ACUI Region II Membership Experience Coordinator on the Regional Leadership Team. I am excited to serve in my position because I’m able to meet so many great applicants and volunteers that can make a difference for our association. I hope to continue to serve and be an example for those who strive to grow as union professionals and to better serve our students and our constituents
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Meet your Region II Leadership Team
I am the Assistant Director for Programs in the Office of Student Engagement at Missouri State University. I am excited to be on the RLT because I enjoy connecting with other professionals, collaborating across campuses, and working with students!
SARAH KHAN Student Member
I’m a rising senior at the University of Houston majoring in Journalism and Marketing. I have been involved in programming, policy, & advocacy on campus for the last three years! I’m excited to work with ACUI and bring unique student perspectives & standpoints to help enhance efforts underway in Higher Ed! Fun fact: I had my own home bakery for two years!
Interested in applying to serve as the 2025 Conference Coordinator? We hope to see your application soon!
Have questions? Reach out to Membership Experience Coordinator Sergio Renovato-Vasquez at Sergio.Renovato@unt.edu
APPLY TO BE THE 2025 CONFERENCE COORDINATOR! PAIGE JENKINS
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Student Involvement Coordinator