From Becoming a Commuter Student to Mental Health First Aid Certification, ACUI Preconferences Demand an Early NYC Arrival

ACUI’s 2025 Annual Conference, commencing within and around the New York Marriott Marquis and the adjoining Times Square, is going to require an early arrival time – no later than Friday, March 14 – thanks in part to an extraordinary preconference schedule that kicks-off the following morning.

Supported primarily through the work of ACUI volunteers from within various communities of practice, the schedule of symposia, certification sessions, and day-long deep dives into topics like student organizations, free speech and activism, and transformational leadership, adds depth and focus to a conference experience with over 100 educational sessions later in the week.

You will be able to walk the walk of a New York City commuter college student thanks to session created by members of the Commuter Campus Community of Practice that puts you on the #2 Seventh Avenue Express and takes you by train to four unique colleges: Pace University (a small, private school), Medgar Evers College (a small public school), SUNY—Downstate (a medical school), and Brooklyn College (a mid-size public school).

Another day-long session will allow participants to earn a Mental Health First Aid Certification and leave with the skills to identify and respond to mental illness and substance use disorders. Here is a complete review of each of the eight preconference sessions that will occur on Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16:

Saturday, March 15, 1–8 p.m. & Sunday, March 16, 8:30 a.m.–Noon | Registration Fee: $175

This preconference program is designed for senior managers to address critical topics in student unions and student life. As student affairs practitioners, we are often charged with providing and creating spaces for our campus community members. The expectations and needs of our students, our staff, our community members as well as ourselves to be seen, heard, and valued is more important as ever. Often we are charged with creating and sustaining an inclusive campus culture while navigating a changing professional landscape and student demographic along with a variety of societal/political pressures and differing perspectives. How do senior professionals navigate understanding the work of creating a space of belonging and inclusion and increase learning and practicing the skills needed to support the humans that need that space, including themselves? These and other topics of conversation will be led by Dr. Tanya Williams of Authentic Coaching and Consulting, equity and belonging educator and consultant. Materials, one dinner, and coffee/breakfast snack are included as part of the registration fee.

Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: $160

Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour course that teaches adults 18 years and older how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. All participants would receive a Mental Health First Aid certification after attending. Lunch and materials are included as part of the registration fee.

Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration Fee: $150

The International Symposium: The Changing Role of the Student Union & Student Life aims to bring together student union and student life leaders from around the globe. This thought-provoking event explores the evolving landscape of student unions and student life, and the critical role they play in shaping campus communities. Participants will be challenged to consider the future of student unions and student life, projecting themselves 10 years forward. What will change? How should we prepare? What should we prioritize? This session will help professionals navigate what lies ahead, prioritize innovation, and develop future-oriented strategies. Lunch and materials are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the International Student Unions & Student Life Community of Practice.

Saturday, March 15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55

Participants will utilize New York City public transportation to visit campuses throughout the experience. We’ll depart the Marriott Marquis with a MetroCard and a sense of adventure as we ride the rails and walk the trails of an NYC commuter student. We’ll tour four distinct urban campuses along the #2 train line focusing on the commuter experience of each unique student body. We will visit Pace University (small, private), Medgar Evers College (small, public), SUNY–Downstate (medical school), and Brooklyn College (mid-size, public) throughout the day, meeting with constituents and touring spaces that focus on their commuter student experience. Along the way, we’ll be sure to build some community and probably some blisters, too! Transportation expenses are included as part of the registration fee. Lunch will be on your own during the experience, but we will have dedicated time to eat. Please note this experience will require a significant amount of walking. This session is being presented by the Commuter Campus Community of Practice.

Saturday, March 15, Noon–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55

This preconference will be a discussion to prepare leaders in higher education with the knowledge, tools, and courage to meet complex challenges and create change at their institutions. The preconference will be a process where leaders engage and influence others by recognizing their needs, raising motivation, and providing ethical frameworks for data driven decision-making. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the Multi-Ethnic Professionals & Allies Community of Practice (COMP).

Saturday, March 15, 1–5 p.m. | Registration Fee: $55

In the vibrant, ever-evolving landscape of higher education, the dynamics of free speech, campus activism, and active dialogue are critical. Join us for an engaging full-day preconference workshop where we delve into these pivotal topics through the lens of the performing arts. This preconference will provide participants with the tools and strategies needed to navigate and promote constructive conversations on campus. By the end of the day, attendees will leave with a comprehensive understanding of how to balance free speech, student activism, and your community standards; how to support diverse viewpoints; and how to turn potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and learning. Join us on this journey to ensure that every voice is heard and respected, both on and off the stage. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the planning team of ACUI’s 2024 Active Dialogue Institute.

Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m.–Noon Registration Fee: $65

Come join your peers on a journey to discover and leverage your strengths! This engaging and entertaining session will focus on learning about and applying your strengths in higher education. This session would be applicable for students and higher education professionals looking for specific strategies on using the StrengthsFinder assessment for personal and community growth. Using Gallup’s “Name It, Aim It, Claim It” philosophy, participants will leave the session with a new approach to goal setting, navigating difficult situations, and self-exploration. This session includes a code to take the Strengths assessment; however, participants do also have the option to use existing results. Materials, a StrengthsFinder assessment code, and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee.

Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m.–Noon | Registration Fee: $55

Join us for a second, deeper dive into intergenerational communication in the student union. Through a lively discussion, you will learn about the different generations in the workforce including character traits and best practices for interacting with these generations. After our learning session, we will host an intergenerational panel discussing women in the workplace and how we can learn from and support each other. We will wrap up the preconference by creating connections through roundtable discussions. Open to all genders, this session will build on our discussions from Denver, but attendance at last year’s event is not required. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the Women’s Leadership Community of Practice.

Sunday, March 16, 9 a.m.–Noon | Registration Fee: $55

Join us in discussing and sharing the many complexities and rewarding aspects of advising student organizations. We’ll talk about the historical significance of student organizations to a college campus and how they continue to impact the higher education landscape. With free speech and freedom of assembly once again at the forefront of this work, a collaborative educational session can’t come at a better time. Materials and a coffee/snack break are included as part of the registration fee. This session is being presented by the Student Organization Advisors Community of Practice.

Author

Steve Chaplin

Steve Chaplin is managing editor of ACUI’s The Bulletin and manager of the ACUI College Union and Student Activities (CUSA) Evaluation Program. A former newspaper writer, editor, and manager, he has volunteered as a student mentor as a member of the National Association of Science Writers, and received awards for his writing and reporting from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Kentucky Education Association, and the Kentucky Press Association.
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