The State of the College Union
Editor’s Note: During 2025, The Bulletin will continue its State of the College Union series of articles that analyze the most current and affecting issues facing the Association’s members. During 2024, professionals from across ACUI’s membership contributed State of the College Union articles on the topics of workforce retention, organizational change, fostering belonging, and revenue challenges and drivers. We kick off the 2025 series with a topic both timely and of great concern: The union as a space for protest and activism. This article features contributions from several professionals reflecting on the topic.
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Brian T. Magee, Ed.D., CSAEd, CSAEd-CA, CSAEd-CU, is the interim director of student activities and leadership education in Wilson Commons Student Activities and an adjunct professor at the Warner School of Education & Human Development, both at the University of Rochester. His research interests focus on college student leadership development through programming, mentorship, and intentional experiential learning experiences. He currently serves as ACUI’s Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) liaison and a member of the Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Program Team. Formerly, he served as the educational program coordinator at the ACUI & CSHEMA Central Office.
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Nick Smith, Ph.D., (he/him/his) serves as director of the Center for Campus Involvement and associate director of University Unions at the University of Michigan. With a Ph.D. from Colorado State University and degrees from Penn State and Ohio University, Smith's passion for fostering student belonging through college unions shines through. He's been an active ACUI volunteer for 15 years, presently serving on the Education Council. Smith thrives on the learning and joy that college unions bring, and he's always up for big laughs. Fun fact: Smith has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
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Rob Bean brings over 25 years of experience in venue and events management, notably at the University of California–Berkeley. He led major events and managed key venues, including the Hearst Greek Theatre, Zellerbach Auditorium, and California Memorial Stadium, for a combined 14 years. Previously, Bean oversaw operations at venues in the Pacific Northwest, including The Seattle Repertory Theatre, Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival, and Eugene's Cuthbert Amphitheater and McDonald Theatre. He holds certifications in mass assemblage safety from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA and has consulted for industry leaders such as Live Nation, AEG, Another Planet Entertainment, NFL, NBA, and Cirque du Soleil. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Cornish College of the Arts and a master's degree in arts management from the University of Oregon.
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Erin Dewese is the director for the Center for Student Involvement at the University of Colorado–Boulder and has been at the university for 13 years. She is passionate about student engagement and helping students find their community and voice during their time on campus. She went to Humboldt State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in communication and leadership studies. Dewese has a master's degree in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah. Dewese is the co-chair for the Student Engagement Response Team.
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beck haberstroh is program manager for digital safety training and resources in literature and education at PEN America. Haberstroh’s background weaves together a passion for education, the arts, organizing, and technology justice. Most recently, they taught in Dimensions of Culture, an undergraduate writing program at the University of California–San Diego. They also taught courses in media, photography, film, and performance and were recognized with a graduate teaching scholar fellowship. Previously, they worked in education and public programs at Pioneer Works, an interdisciplinary arts space, and Genspace, a community biology lab, both in New York City. Haberstroh has a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Brown University and a Master of Fine Arts in visual art from the University of California–San Diego.
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Matt Marshall is the director of the Marshall Student Center at the University of South Florida. Marshall joined the university in 2019 but has been in the field of student affairs and higher education since 1999, previously working for the University of West Florida, Ball State University, and Indiana University–East. He has served in various roles within the field of student affairs which range from athletics and recreation to student activities and student union operations. Currently, Marshall also serves as the chairperson of the Event Support Team and has been highly involved the last couple of years, working with university leadership to reshape these efforts on the South Florida campus in a way that maximizes student success and learning. He has a bachelor’s degree in sports administration from Ball State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University.
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