2024 Student Organization Institute
June 10, 2024 – June 13, 2024
The Student Organization Institute (SOI) offers new and seasoned student organization advisors with opportunities to learn and network with their peers. SOI will provide a variety of engaging session formats where participants will explore best and promising practices; learn strategies for risk management, advisor development, and student leadership development; and discover valuable resources to make the work that you do easier. In addition, you will be challenged to work collaboratively with your peers as you experience simulations based on real-life scenarios and as you co-create programs and activities that can be implemented on your campus.
Tentative Schedule
June 10
- 1–4 p.m. – Registration/check-in
- 4:30–9 p.m. – Welcome, Dinner & Activity
June 11
- 8 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Sessions
- 12:30–1:30 p.m. – Lunch
- 1:30–4:30 p.m. – Sessions
- Dinner on own
June 12
- 8 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Sessions
- 12:30–1:30 p.m. – Lunch
- 1:30–4:30 p.m. – Sessions
- Dinner on own
June 13
- 8 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9 a.m.–Noon – Sessions and Wrap Up
2024 SOI Faculty
Jessica currently serves as the assistant director for special programs at the University of Louisville, where she oversees the programming within the Student Activities Center, the UofL Parents and Family Association, and Welcome Week, among other duties. Before moving to the University of Louisville, she supervised all aspects of student organization training and management at Coastal Carolina University. She also has served on the ACUI Region VI Leadership Team and as a I-LEAD® facilitator in 2023. Jessica obtained her master’s degree in counseling & personnel services from the University of Louisville and her bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in educational leadership and organizational development at the University of Louisville.
Luke Haumesser has over 10 years of experience in higher education and working with student organizations in a variety of capacities. In his current role, he serves as the director of student leadership and engagement at Buffalo State University, where he oversees campus activities, the student union, Greek life, and leadership education programs. Prior to Buffalo State, he worked at the University at Buffalo, serving as the assistant director for student organizations and activities, where he served as the liaison to the seven student governments. His first role as a student organization adviser was at SUNY–Geneseo in residence life, where he had the opportunity to be the adviser for the Inter-Residence Council. Luke earned his master’s degree in higher education administration and student affairs from the University at Buffalo and his bachelor’s degree in education from Marietta College. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University at Buffalo, researching the social support networks of food insecure college students.
Lamar Walker is the associate director for student involvement at Duke University. For the last 10 years, he has worked in student engagement as an advisor, facilitator, programmer, and administrator. He has previously volunteered with the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) in several capacities, including institute coordinator for the Huge Leadership Weekend/Leadership Week Summer Institute, leadership fellow, and education and professional development coordinator. Lamar enjoys participating in leadership learning opportunities and has served as a facilitator for Virginia Tech’s Fraternal Leaders’ Institute and Case Western Reserve’s Culture of Care Institute. His passion for education, civic engagement, and cultural exploration have led to opportunities to participate in academic advising, classroom instruction, voter engagement, as well as Census enumeration. Lamar earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in foreign languages, literatures, and cultures, as well as a Master of Education from James Madison University. As such, he thoroughly enjoys learning new languages and cultural immersion experiences.
A student affairs professional for the past 17 years, Lydia Washington has been committed to fostering vibrant communities and creating supportive environments on college campuses. In creating these environments, she has always prioritized making spaces of true student engagement authentic and meaningful for student group leaders on college campuses. The UMass–Amherst community recognized her in 2014 and 2022 with the Chancellor’s Citation Award, the university’s highest honor for staff and one of a number of honors she has garnered over the years. Lydia has served in leadership roles in the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), American College Personnel Association (ACPA), and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), where she was an Alice Manicur Symposium participant in 2018. Lydia was also a contributing author to the Black Women and Social Justice Education: Legacies and Lesson – Storytelling: Advisving Black Women Student Leaders in White Spaces. Lydia earned a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst and a bachelor‘s in political science from the University of Florida. She currently serves as the inaugural executive director of student centers at Emory University. In her new role, Lydia provides integrated leadership and strategic visioning to student centers and operations, student engagement and new student orientation, and civic and community services in campus life. In her spare time, Lydia enjoys traveling the world, dancing, and mentoring and serving her community through her sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Registration
Regular Registration (through April 12)
- Professional Member with On-Campus Lodging: $675
- Professional Nonmember with On-Campus Lodging: $850
- Professional Member Commuter: $475
- Professional Nonmember Commuter: $650
Late Registration (April 13–May 13)
- Professional Member with On-Campus Lodging: $775
- Professional Nonmember with On-Campus Lodging: $950
- Professional Member Commuter: $595
- Professional Nonmember Commuter: $750
Travel and Lodging
The Student Organizations Institute will be at the University of Nevada–Las Vegas.
Lodging
On-campus housing will be in a residential hall in a single room with a shared bathroom. Those who are local and/or wish to coordinate their own lodging should register as a “Commuter.”
Travel
The closest airport to the University of Nevada–Las Vegas is Harry-Reid International Airport (LAS).