Greetings, and welcome to the new year. Well, at least the new calendar year. Those of us in higher education essentially get two “new” years every 12 months, and sometimes I don’t know which transition holds more weight. Regardless, both of them are opportunities to turn our gaze forward, reimagine what we have done, and embrace the possibilities of what is to come.
I am adopting that mindset for ACUHO-I as well, and let me tell you, this next year will be a memorable one. Throughout 2024 and beyond, you will see new features, programs, resources, and initiatives introduced that will enhance the value of your membership and better position you and your colleagues for personal and professional success. I am excited and optimistic that this will be the case and am energized by the prospect as we begin executing our new strategic plan.
Last year, while in the president-elect role, one of my responsibilities was to oversee the drafting of that plan. It afforded me numerous opportunities to interact with staff and strategic experts, but also with dozens of ACUHO-I members. Their input, along with that of the almost 1,400 survey respondents, was put into the mix and used to plot our course toward being the preeminent resource and champion for the global campus housing profession. Now it is time for those ideas and concepts to become tangible and deliver the solutions you are looking for. I encourage you all to keep a close eye on ACUHO-I's social media, email, and website in the coming weeks and months to learn more specific details about these new opportunities.
Throughout 2024 and beyond, you will see new features, programs, resources, and initiatives introduced that will enhance the value of your membership and better position you and your colleagues for personal and professional success.
I am also excited to begin this year alongside several new Executive Board members. Olan Garrett of Temple University will step into the vice president role, while Kirsten Kennedy, from the University of South Carolina, will be the Finance and Corporate Records Officer. In addition, Janie Sacco, from the University of Washington, is our new Knowledge Enhancement Director; Marykatherine Woodson, from the Rochester Institute of Technology, is the Inclusion and Equity Director; Tiffany Bromfield, from SUNY – Buffalo State University, will take on the Regional Affiliations Director role; and Casey Tullos, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, will be the Residence Education Director.
Finally, I used the opportunity afforded to me as president to name two ex officio positions. I reappointed Steven Herndon of Syracuse University to direct the Future of the Profession Initiative. I also selected TJ Logan to serve as Director of Business Development, where he will have the chance to leverage his entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking. The unique skillsets that these two individuals bring, along with the fresh viewpoints and open minds of all the other new additions, are optimal as we begin a fresh period of discovery and growth. With their leadership, the talent of the ACUHO-I staff, the unflagging spirit of our volunteers, and the extraordinary knowledge of our members, I am confident that this is ACUHO-I’s time to thrive.
— Gay Perez, ACUHO-I President
Talking Stick magazine takes its name from the symbol of international friendship presented to ACUHO-I in 1973 by the Ohiat Band of the British Columbia Indian Nation. The talking stick, or speaker’s staff, is hand-carved, and the inscription explains, “It is a sign of authority carried when proclamations are to be made or a meeting of chiefs is in session. It is a token of common heritage both to Canadians and Americans.”
