Region VII Newsletter: June 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the ACUI Region VII Newsletter, where I hope you’ll find everything you need to stay up to date on the happenings of Region VII. If you’re a seasoned ACUI Veteran, I hope you continue to find the community, connections, and development you’ve known for years. If you’re new to ACUI, I hope you, like me, realize how great of a family ACUI and Region VII can be in supporting your personal and professional development.

Inside this issue you’ll learn about how graduate students and professional staff alike shined at the annual conference in Denver, as well as learn more about unique opportunities to continue your development with Region VII throughout the summer!

In Campus Community,

Zac Lomas

Updates From the Regional Director

Anthony Otero

Regional Director

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

Hola Mi Gente,

Summer is officially here and this should be a time for reflection and reconnection Hopefully you have time to look back at such a busy year with pride since many of our undergraduates and graduate students have graduated from our institutions. This time should also be where we reserve space for reconnection without our colleagues as we close out our fiscal years

Let’s keep in mind that this year has been a very tough year for many of our students with the potential for another stressful year on the way. Our collective goal in higher education and student unions is to make sure that we are creating and maintaining spaces that allow our students to succeed and thrive with a sense of belonging In order to do that we need to make sure they we are refilling our cups.

You are important and you matter. Remember our students need us in order to for them to be the people they are meant to be So have a great summer and enjoy this newsletter!

Also . . . big shout out to your new Regional Director - Elect: Chrissie King. I am excited for this transition and look forward to her leadership

Muchas Gracias Be healthy and safe

Anthony Otero Region VII Director

Graduate Reflections From theAnnualConference

SaniyaMyers, Angelica Martinez,& MaryAnnVargas, Graduate Interns 2024 ACUI Annual Conference

We often speak about how our students are the center of our work and specifically our graduate students are the future of our profession Nowhere was that more abundantly clear than in April, when 3 of the 4 graduate interns at the ACUI Annual Conference in Denver represented Region VII.

Saniya Myers and Angelica Martinez of Montclair State University and Mary Ann Vargas of Rutgers University served at the conference, ensuring that the event was an outstanding success. Here is what they had to say about their experiences

For Angelica Martinez, this was her second year serving as a graduate intern and she believes the greatest lesson she’s learned is “the ability to pivot. In this field, we are often thrown curveballs

and you need to be flexible During the annual conference, things can go awry and something may not work out the way we thought it would so often we'll have to adjust and make changes I think the skills I gained from this experience will be with me throughout my entire career

However, Martinez’s work supporting Member Services throughout the conference was not just valuable because of its applicable lessons to the field of student affairs and innumerable networking opportunities, but for the shared memories

“I think my favorite memory from the conference is Saniya pushing me down

From L - R: Myers, Martinez, & Vargas

GraduateReflectionsFrom theAnnualConference

hallways and in the elevator in a trolley cart during one of our big signage moves I cherish sharing this experience with both Saniya and Mary Ann, they were my rocks!

On the topic of ACUI and her involvement in Region VII, Martinez remarks: “I have met so many amazing professionals and built my network extensively - it's exciting to have mentors, or friends, to reach out to who understand what I may be experiencing in my grad role or program”

For Vargas, she was most struck by the lessons of professionals on how to make one’s career in student affairs sustainable, stating “the educational sessions have really put it into perspective about the field I appreciated the folks who have shared their wisdom and strategies to not feel burnout or over stressed at work Reminding myself about what I began the journey in the first place motivates me to continue and strive for success My success is the success of undergraduate students who need my support and guidance. “

Not only did Mary Ann cherish these lessons from colleagues in the field, but also the lessons from her ACUI Adventure at the Colorado Convention Center, where she got to see how a major event space operated, remarking that “it was enjoyable to witness (cont on p 6)

Martinez, celebrating the end of her duties during Day 4 of the Annual Conference

Myers (left) & Vargas (right) help an attendee before the ACUI Adventure in Denver

Graduate Reflections From theAnnualConference

“ . . . how the same procedures (of her internship at Rutgers - New Brunswick in Operations) still applied to a multipurpose facility ”

Vargas believes that her experience at the conference was more than just practical, reflecting that “the journey was existential and a reflection period of my life because I recently finished my culminating exam and needed more clarity in my life This conference helped with it!”

Martinez, assisting attendees and proving that even on little to no sleep, you can still provide an exceptional conference experience

Myers was particularly impressed by the level of authenticity displayed at the annual conference, emphasizing that “Everyone at the conference was different but showed up 100% themselves It was such a welcoming community and it showed me how no matter what job or space I am in I should be able to show up as myself. This conference allowed me to meet so many different people who taught me many things, and I will carry that with me in all future endeavors ”

Myers hopes that other students take advantage of this opportunity and ways to get involved with ACUI, encouraging folks to “Try new things! It sounds super cliché, but I was a business student and at first, didn't think ACUI would pertain to me. However, I left with SO much more than I ever expected So my one piece of advice is to do it all, you never know what you'll get out of it

If you are interested in hiring one of the individuals in this article, they are all currently going through the job search and information on their desired geographic locations, functional area interests, and contact information can be found below:

Angelica Martinez:

New Jersey/ NYC Metro Area, as well as Central New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D C Orientation, Student Activities, Student Centers/Operations, and/or Mentorship/Leadership/First-Gen Programs angelicaabarbara@gmail.com

Saniya Myers:

East Coast, but willing to consider further for the right position!

Student Activities or Athletics saniya.myers12@gmail.com

Mary Ann Vargas:

New Jersey, New York (Closer to New Jersey), Philadelphia, Boston Student Center Operations, Involvement/Leadership, Student Advising mv704@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

AnnualConference Awardees

Region VII is incredibly proud of its members and their contributions to not only the Region, but the association at large. The 2024 annual conference once again saw multiple Region VII members receiving recognition for both their volunteer and scholastic success

Please take the time to visit https://acui.org/awards/ to not only read more about the wonderful work of those celebrated from Region VII, but all of those within ACUI who continue to make us a premier destination for student affairs professionals.

In the following pages you will learn more about those individuals and institutions from Region VII who were recognized at the conference and remember to think about nominating a colleague or yourself for next year so folks continue to receive the accolades they deserve!

#IWILLLISTEN Mental Health Awareness Week, Morgan State University

Collaborative Program of the Year

The Collaborative Program of the Year is awarded to creative programs which exemplify the positive outcomes of a collaboration within or between institutions. The award advances the value and credibility of the college union on campus, while improving communication, leadership, and campus partnerships.

Joseph H. Benedict Jr. Social Change Award for Racial Justice

The Joseph H Benedict Jr Social Change Award for Racial Justice honors an institution that develops an outstanding social justice program that stimulates conversation and action among campus constituents. The recipient institution will receive $800 in recognition of their campus’s engagement with inclusive conversations and strategies which encourage institutional change and address racial injustices

Shirley Bird Perry Staff-Driven Program of the Year

The Shirley Bird Perry Staff-Driven Program of the Year recognizes an innovative and impactful program implemented primarily by staff on campus. For their contributions to student learning and advancing campus community through programming excellence, the institution will receive up to $1,000 towards ACUI membership dues to continue to be a leader in the profession.

Distinguished Faculty Award

The Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes a faculty member for demonstrated support of college unions and campus community building.

Hayden Greene, Marymount Manhattan College

Revis A. Cox Memorial Award

The Revis A. Cox Memorial Award honors the passion of professionals who contribute relentless support for multicultural education and social justice through their leadership on campus. The recipient will receive $400 to support their professional development at an ACUI event to continue to grow as a mentor, advisor, and advocate for student learning and inclusion.

Dr. Kim Celano, Temple University

ACUI Education and Research Grant

The ACUI Research and Education Grant awards up to $1,500 towards research-based projects that increase the knowledge-base of the college union and student activities profession In addition to the financial support for conducting research, recipients will have the opportunity to be featured in The Bulletin as well as gain recognition of peers by presenting the research at the Annual Conference.

Chester A. Berry Scholar Award

The Chester A. Berry Scholar Award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding writing that honors ACUI’s first executive director’s timeless and intellectual contributions in the field of college unions and student activities. The award provides a $400 cash prize to the recipient

Dr. Ralph Gigliotti, Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick

Daniel M. Maxwell Dissertation of the Year

Outstanding dissertation research that contributes to the knowledge of the college union and student activities field is acknowledged through this award. The recipient will receive a reward of $400 in addition to published research in The Bulletin and recognition of peers at the annual conference.

Dr. Phillip Smith

Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

Student Unions are nothing without our students and especially our student employees. From building managers to information desk employees to graduate assistants and interns, our student employees are vital to advancing campus community and so we’re proud to celebrate those students who have not only contributed to the work we do, but completed their academic journey by graduating!

See below for a list of students whose names were submitted by their supervisors.

If you or your student’s name was not submitted, we are still proud of your accomplishments!

If you supervise students, make sure to follow us on Instagram at @acuiregionvii to stay informed of opportunities like this in the future!

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

Daemen University

Lindsey Rieger, BS

Juliette Corbett, BA

Georgetown University

Amira Fisher, BA

Fatir Muhammad, BA

Lehigh University

Gianna LaMena BA

Crystal Buchanan, BA

Amani Fanning, BFA

Ashlyn Moreira, BA

Jada Dawson, BS

Kofi Agyemang, MBA

Jevon Jordan, MBA

Montclair State University

A'Lysai Robison, BFA

Valery Alcantara

Taverez, BS

Maddison Chin, BA

Angelica Martinez, MA

Saniya Myers, MBA

Frank Yang, BA

Isabela Paredes, BA

Jane Cai, BA

Liam Russell, BA

Megan O'Malley, BA

Nicolas Stewart, BA

Scott Jackson, BS

Andrew Wilps, MS

Caroline Russell, MA

Morgan State University

Summer Adkins

Rasir Ahmed

London Blackwood

Jade Berryman

Langston Fraley

Joseph Ibanga

Joi Jones

Boluwatiwi Odutola

Myles Pollard

Amaya Verly

Pratt Institute

Arianna Mazzuera, BArch

Shantala Mehta, BArch

Alyssa Bermejo, BArch

Vivian Vazquez, BFA

Morgan Nunes-Scher, BFA

Mae Evans, BFA

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

Rowan University

Lucas Vu

Taryn Larsen

Rutgers UniversityCamden

Lorena Vargas, BN

Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick (cont.)

Junesoo Kim

Trinity Meads

Sumayyah Hayes

Ama Hopkins

Kenechukwu Adibe

Jacqueline Accardi

Jamie Ivan

Dakota Jones

Dante Paterna

Emma Stanley

Goldie Burnett

Jonathan Medina

Julianna Menna

Rae Kumor

Sean Kwak

Alexandra Austin

Alina Austin

Ava Grignon

Xavier Whitcraft

Aarushi Gupta

Lily Snow

Yonatan Casas-Ruiz

KJ Green

Louis Santos

Alexis Robinson, MBA

Eve Li, MBA

Alia Elbanna, MBA

Hailey Gould, BN

George Gandour, BN

Marleigh Ziolkowski, MEd

Virginia Mulligan, MA

Ryan Fader, JD

Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick

Ada Lin

Allana John

Amaresh Chittigidde

Anthony Falcone

Arya Kommera

Aryaman Patel

Carlos Ortiz

Connor Doyle

Dante Tedesco

Jack Harvey

Jaiden David

Jenish Patel

Jenny Zhang

Joey Copsetta

John Bang

Jovi Williams

Justin Lee

Kelly Chang

Krishna Patel

Lex Michel

Mary Ann Vargas

Melanie Samudio

Namisha Shrivastava

Noura Agbere

Rebecca Shi Won Choi

Roma Mitra

Rouan Esmail

Shiddah Patel

Shravan Patel

Subiksha Surianarayanan

Tajinder Singh

Temileyi Olukoju

Tiffany Chan

Visshwa Magesh

Yaneli Rios

Zoriyah Reevey

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

St. Peter’s University

Kiara Suero, MEd

Tatiana Henriques, MBA

Stockton University

Ramon Zamora

Frank Wendling

Tabasoomara Sarwar

Matthew Long

Natalie Russo

Kevin Mistry

Sean Lopez

Brianna Aguiar

Daniel Habina

Vanessa Bawuah

Phillip Young

Lehigh University

Gianna LaMena BA

Temple University

Sarah Bachman

Mark Challman

Connor Frugoli

Jenny Herman

Brian Hertz

Dylan Hollywood

Anabel Keagy

Semon Khan

Jaydn Knorr

Kayleigh Lewis

Justin Mimms

Elise Payne

Luke Pelcher

Natasha Rodriguez

Allison Ward

University of Delaware

Megan McQuillan, BA

Aretha Korsah, BA

Eden Groum, BS

Mariah Kincaid, BA

Alyssa Deonarine, BA

Lucy Stern, BS

Keegan Hoover, BS

David Boyer, BS

Aidan Kennard, BA

Ayelet Gutman, BS

Carlson Cheng, BE

Rachel Sukonnik, BS

Gabby Kemp, BS

Christele Jean-Louis, BS

University of Delaware (cont.)

Ashley Rodney, BCE

Kailey Nichols, BS

Mackenna Kerrick, BS

Rachel Krams, BS

Kelsey Breuer, BS

Zoe Lefkowitz, BS

Angela Remirez-Rivas, BS

Ooha Imandi, MBA

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

University of Maryland, College Park

Abby Patnaude

University of Maryland, College Park (cont.)

Divya Swaminathan

University of Maryland, College Park (cont.)

Joshua Pollack

Aditi Gujaran

Akshaya Balaji

Anderson Wanteu

Andrea Cagurangan

Annie Tang

Apoorva Ajith

Arianna Bocchino

Armaan Singh

Ashley Awoseye

Auzinea Bacon

Ava Bucci

Ava Lamberty

Bridget OHara

Caela Berrie

Caleigh Larkin

Camille Clingan

Carey Cameron

Catherine Dangel

Charlotte Yang

Chase Akumiah

Chisom Maduka

Christina Bodziak

Cloe Noble

Collette Anyiam

Danica Choi

Danielle Kim

Divija Sadula

Dora Hu

Dunyasha S M Yattogoda

Dylan Kapustensky

Ella nazzaro

Emily Jacob

Emily Miller

Fatima Yazdi

Fejiro Tereben

Gabriel Storfer

Gianna Cinque

Grace Lee

Grace White

Gwen Mather

Hanna Teshome

Hayden Renaghan

Heydy Herbert

Isaiah Griffith

Islamiyya Aina

Jaelen Seriki

Jason Grayer

Jenna Levy

Jeremy McCallum

Jessica Brian

Joanne Jeong

Jordan Abraham

Josephine Ekenya

Josh Digiorgio

Joyce Yu

Julia Kallaur

Julia Wall

Juliette Caban

Kaitlin Mui

Karenna Aparece

Kaylin Castles

Kellen Parks-Gardener

Krish Pandya

Laniya Davidson

Lauren Reeder

Lei Danielle Escobal

Lilly Patneaude

Madison Carter

Maggie Letvin

Malachi Gaines

Maleah Williams

Manasa Nittala

Maya Wheeler

Mel Calabrese

Michael Wu

Nathan Steighner

Naveen Harish

Nicole Selig

Nikita Bandarupalli

Nina Moore

Nusirat Fahm

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

University of Maryland, College Park (cont.)

Nyla Lewis

University of Maryland, College Park (cont.)

Alexander Koch

University of Rochester

Aminata Kaba, BS

Chasity England, BA

Oge Odidika

Oluwasemilore Ayo-Gbenjo

Omoleye Adeyemi

Palrika Kasondra

Payton Furr

Precious Ogunsola

Rebecca Barnholtz

Rebecca Scherr

Riley Blaugrund

Ruma Dewal

Ryan Kenna

Selam Wehabe

Sophia Andreas

Stephanie Irving

Stephanie Ton

Swait Patel

Sydney Bernstein

Tana Zifodya

Thomas Mariano

Justinah Bashua

Tyler Nasuta

Veronica Tsaturov

Wadi Ahmed

Warren Dansou

Zayan Matin

Andrea Espinoza Jones

Angie Osorio

Bilal Murtaza

Casey Lopes

Delyar Delavari

Kait Wachter

Diana Centeno, BA

Eldryn Steele, BA

Emily De La Cruz, BA

Md Fahad Hossain, BS

Kayla Howard, BA

Lisbeth Hernandez Navarrete, BA

Margaret Carpenter, BA

Mahlet Tedla, BA

Marissa Carlson, BS

Mekhai Morrison-Gaskins, BA

Michael Michielli, BA

Nadia Todd, BA

Nadia Tolosa

Rachelle Gomez-Guevara, BA

Renee Taillie, BA

Ruchita Makhun, BA

Sennett Turner, BA

Shelinee Hernandez Espino, BS

Vanessa Velas Romero, BA

Oluwaseyori Adagunodo, BS

CelebratingOur2024 RegionVIIGraduates

Vassar College

Roswell Wendel

Jeffrey Sergio

West Chester University

Brianna Joseph

Jamie Martinez

Gwynne Smith

Sophia Shaloka

Andrew Rubas

Nolan Hibsman

Emily Coyne

Grace Gilmore

Princess Ogujiofor

Emily Lonergan

Evan Parker

Kate Amtmann

Leah Crespy

Samuel Botnick, MS

Upcoming Region VII Summer Programs & Events

7/17/2024

It’s that magical time of year where YOU are able to make a difference for colleagues and students in the field…it’s Region VII’s Annual Day of Giving on July 17th!

This year, along with being able to make direct cash donations towards scholarships, we have created a limited edition “Transform Tomorrow” Day of Giving tshirt that you can purchase! All proceeds from t-shirt purchases will go directly to Region VII scholarships to help you, your colleagues and your students attend all of the amazing events that our Region hosts.

T-shirt sales will be available from July 10th at 9am and will close on July 17th at midnight!

Follow our Instagram for more information on how to secure your shirt and support the Region at @acuiregionvii

Grad&GrowInstitute

Registration is now open for Region VII’s Grad & Grow on July 25th from 9 AM to 4 PM at Rutgers University - Camden.

The Grad & Grow Institute will give first- and second-year graduate students the opportunity to meet and learn from other graduate students and attend relevant sessions that will develop skills in their roles. We will also be offering an advisor/supervisor track for those that attend to support their graduate students.

Registration information can be found here:

https://acui.org/event/2024-region-vii-grad-growinstitute/

7/25/2024

We understand that sometimes folks in ACUI use acronyms or terms that not all members are familiar with. While we try our hardest to avoid this, you still may hear these terms and phrases and not be sure what they mean. To help everyone stay in-theknow, here is a glossary of commonly used ACUI acronyms or terms that you may hear in the future.

ACUI - The abbreviation for Association of College Unions International Annual Conference - Association-wide meeting held each year

Board of Trustees - Volunteers that work on determining and advancing strategic directions, governing over long-term goals, representing the association to other members, and setting the tone for member experience

The Bulletin - ACUI’s online member magazine

CAS - Council for the Advancement of Standards

CO - Central Office

Community of Practice - A term referring to networks of members that share a common interest.

CPT - Conference Planning Team (team planning Regional conferences or could refer to Conference Program Team (team planning annual Conference)

CUPSI - The abbreviation for College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational

ERF - Education and Research Fund

ILEAD® - Institute for Leadership Education and Development, I-LEAD® is ACUI’s premier student program, designed to emphasize the key concept areas of leadership, community development, and change

IPDS - IPDS: New Professionals Orientation is an introduction to the profession that offers ample idea sharing, discussion of theory and skills, and opportunities to network

RD - Regional Director Regional directors serve as the chief administrator of their region, representing regional activities to other ACUI leaders and members.

Region VII - ACUI is broken down into eight separate regions that cover the globe. Region VII is made up of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland , New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Quebec.

RLT - Regional Leadership Team

VDT - Volunteer Development Team

As communication coordinators, Dom Hannon and I, have a goal to consistently provide our Region VII members with content about our members, events, student unions, and more.

However, we can’t do that without you! Our members are the lifeblood of our Region and so we want to hear your stories, your successes, see your building, and more. To be featured just fill out our content form which can be found by scanning the QR code on this page.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

-Zac Lomas

Scan Here or Click the Link Below to Submit to Be Featured in the Newsletter or on Region VII’s Social Media

https://go.rutgers.edu/vquwjsvs