Webinar: College Unions Foundations – Building an Effective Team

Join this panel of professionals to learn more about the importance of choosing and training the right people for your team. The College Unions Foundations series covers skills every college unions professional needs to be successful. Whether you are part of a large department within a large campus system or a department of one at a small school, you need the support of others to get the job done. This panel webinar covers what an effective team looks like and how to find the people you need on your team.   

About the Presenters

• Following graduation from Miami (Ohio), where Susan Pile studied elementary education, she obtained two graduate degrees: a Master of Science in elementary education from Indiana University and a Master of Education in higher education administration from the University of Illinois. Susan started her career in higher education at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign, where she worked in the Illini Union for five years. In 2004, Susan moved to the University of Michigan to be the University Unions director of arts and programs, a new position where she reorganized the student activities area across three student unions. Since 2015, Susan has been the senior director for University Unions and auxiliary services at the University of Michigan. In this role, Susan is responsible for three student unions, an academic conference facility, a student art production facility, campus conference and event services, the Center for Campus Involvement, and campus information services.
• Jeremiah Johnson, Director, Tate Student Center, University of Georgia   
• Becki Salzman is the executive director of the Illini Union at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign. She oversees all operations of the Illini Union, including student activities and programming, facilities and maintenance, retail operations, shared auxiliary, health and well-being marketing services, shared business affairs, and conference and event services. Becki provides strategic direction for the organization and financial oversight of a $36 million annual budget. Becki serves as ex-officio member of the Illini Union Board—the only student-led programming board officially chartered by the Board of Trustees, that also serves as advisor to the director. Prior to being appointed executive director, Becki served several roles at the Illini Union including interim senior associate director for retail operations, interim associate director for programming, and interim marketing director. She spent the first nine years of her university tenure in central administration in marketing and communications for the system. Becki is a proud two-time alumnus of Illinois, a certified professional life coach, an avid scuba diver, mom of the two most amazing humans alive, cat mom, and champion of life-long learning and growth.
• Jeremy Schenk, Associate Vice President of Operations and Services, Northwestern University  
• Susan Canady, Assistant Director, Event & Guest Services, University of Maryland  
• Dwayne Isaacs serves as the senior director of the J. Wayne Reitz Union at the University of Florida, where he oversees operations and strategic planning for one of the largest student unions in the United States. He leads a dynamic team of full time professionals, part time staff, student employees, and has also guided association volunteers, all working together to bring the union’s programs and services to life. With more than 15 years of experience in student affairs, Dwayne is passionate about building strong and effective teams and creating environments where both staff and students can thrive. He brings a practical and mission driven approach to leadership and organizational development, always with a bit of humor, a lot of heart, and the belief that a well timed coffee break can solve just about anything.

ACUI Core Competencies

• Human Resources 
• Organizational Leadership 
• Planning 

Learning Outcomes

As a result of attending this program, participants will be able to:

• Find team members that balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses  
• Be a better teammate themselves  

Registration Details

• Individual at Premium or Full Tier Member Campus: Free
• Individual at Digital Tier Member Campus – $20
• Individual at Nonmember Campus – $50

Each person who wants access to event or resources following event should register individually. Members must be associated with the correct campus account to receive the $0 rate, where applicable; please contact acui@acui.org with questions or issues.