Looking for a way to get connected?! Join us at our next Regional Conference to become more engaged with ACUI. Regional Conferences focus on building community, offering professional development, expanding networks, connecting with mentors, and learning skills that can translate to any career. Regional Conferences have been designed with a renewed focus on emerging professionals and students to help them connect with others, share ideas, and learn best practices.
Join Region V for the 2025 Regional Conference at
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
November 9–11
Join us in the vibrant heart of Minneapolis to connect, synergize, and celebrate the outstanding work happening in Region V! We are looking forward to hosting an unforgettable regional experience at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Whether this is your first experience with ACUI or you are a seasoned veteran, you will not want to miss this opportunity for thought-provoking conversations, practical takeaways to bring back to your campus, and an opportunity to recharge with your professional community.
Registration
Registration is now closed. Contact Member Services for late registration information.
Regular (Through October 17)
- Professional Member: $325
- Professional Non-Member: $425
- Student Member: $225
- Student Non-Member: $325
- Retiree: $325
- Member One-Day Registration: $165
- Non-Member One-Day Registration: $215
Late (After October 17)
- Professional Member: $425
- Professional Non-Member: $525
- Student Member: $300
- Student Non-Member: $400
- Retiree: $425
- Member One-Day Registration: $165
- Non-Member One-Day Registration: $215
One-Day Registration
- Regular Registration (Member, Student, or Retiree): $165
- Regular Registration (Non-Member): $215
- Late (Member, Student, or Retiree): $165
- Late (Non-Member): $215
Educational Sessions
View our Educational Session topics for this year’s regional conference!
Schedule
Sunday, November 9
- 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m – Registration Open
- 4:00 p.m – Conference Welcome
& All-Conference Session - 5:30 p.m. – Educational Session Block 1
- 6:30 p.m. – Silent Auction Open
- 6:30 p.m. – Group Dinner (on site)
- 7:30 p.m. – First Night Social
Monday, November 10
- 7:30–8:30 a.m. –
- Coffee Corner
- (Fundraising activity)
- 8:30–9:30 a.m. – Educational Session Block 2
- 9:30–10:30 a.m. – Career Focused Track Session
- 10:30–11:45 a.m. – Speed Networking
- 12:00 p.m. – Group Lunch (on site)
- 1–4:00 p.m. – Adventures/Experiences
- 4–8 p.m. – Explore Minneapolis and Dinner On Your Own (recommendations will be shared)
Tuesday, November 11
- 9:00 a.m. – Educational Session Block 3
- 10:00 a.m. – Silent Auction Closes
- 10:00 a.m. – Closing Brunch with All-Conference Session and Award Presentation
- 12:00 p.m. – Conference Close
Keynote Session
Voices in Motion: Free Speech, Activism, and the Power of Active Dialogue
Free speech and student activism are at the heart of higher education — powerful forces that shape culture, create disruption, and drive transformation. In today’s evolving campus landscape, how do we move beyond shouting matches and silence to foster active dialogue … the kind that builds understanding, sparks growth, and strengthens community? In this interactive keynote, Dr. Jeremy Schenk will explore the complex intersections of free expression, activism, and dialogue through stories and leadership parables that will make you laugh, reflect, and rethink what it means to build a campus where all voices matter. Together, we will explore how to center the humanity of the person in front of you, especially in moments of conflict, and create the conditions for dialogue that leads to deeper connection and collective action.
Participants will leave inspired and equipped with practical tools to:
- Lead courageous conversations that honor diverse perspectives and encourage dialogue over division.
- Support student activism as a developmental experience and an opportunity to deepen learning.
- Build shared language and processes that transform conflict into connection and community action.
- Practice seeing others not as opponents, but as whole people with stories worth hearing.
Let’s build together and become better together by choosing dialogue, compassion, and courageous leadership in the moments that matter most.
Dr. Jeremy Schenk is the Associate Vice President for Operations and Services in the Division of Student Affairs at Northwestern University and his portfolio includes the Norris University Center, Division Services (including Student Affairs Dining, Student Affairs IT, Special Projects, and Safe Ride), Student Affairs Finance and HR, Campus Life, division vendor contracts, division capital projects, and leads the Event Support Team. He received a bachelor’s in social work, master’s in education administration and foundation, and his doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis. Jeremy’s dissertation explored the relationships between departmental leadership and the engagement, job satisfaction, skill development, and retention to the field of new professionals in Student Affairs.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Schenk served as the Executive Director of the Norris University Center at Northwestern University, Director of the University Commons and Activities Office at Virginia Commonwealth University; the Associate Director of the Plaster Student Union and Director of the Office of Student Engagement at Missouri State University, Assistant Director for Student Organizations and Programming at Illinois State University, and a Residence Hall Director at Illinois State University.
Dr. Schenk has served in a variety of volunteer roles within ACUI including Regional Leadership Team member, Regional Director, CPT member, co-chair of the Regional Audit and Regional Restructuring taskforces, has led the processes for the development of the 2016 and 2019 ACUI strategic plans, completed two terms as an At Large Member on the Board of Trustees, served as President Elect, President, and Past President, and is a recipient of the ACUI Presidential Award for Distinguished Service. Dr. Schenk’s research focus is community and space design, customer service, team development, strengths based leadership, transformational leadership, supervision, strategic planning, organizational health, organizational change and transition management, and has served as a consultant for several universities.
Thank you to our ACUI Region V Conference Sponsors
Travel & Lodging
Hotel Options
Graduate by Hilton Minneapolis
615 Washington Ave, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Rate: $169/night +tax/fees
Deadline: October 19
Courtyard Minneapolis Downtown
1500 Washington Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Rate: $169/night +tax/fees
Deadline: October 19
You may also call (877-699-3216) and mention the group name “ACUI Region V Conference 2025.”
Conference Planning Team
Dan Abbott
University of Wisconsin–Steven’s Point
dabbott@uwsp.edu
Jen Brown
2025 Conference Coordinator
University of Wisconsin–Madison
jen.brown@wisc.edu
Clint Cissell
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
ccissell@illinois.edu
Chriz Cordero
University of Illinois Chicago
ccord25@uic.edu
Jake Dawes
Central Office Liaison
ACUI
jdawes@acui.org
Francine Godwin
University of Illinois Chicago
fgodwin@uic.edu
Krystal Hakes
University of Wisconsin–Madison
khakes@wisc.edu
Jason Hancock
Host Campus Coordinator
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
hanco005@umn.edu
Maria Winkelman
University of Wisconsin-Stout
winkelmanm9281@my.uwstout.edu
Stay up to date with the latest conference updates through our regional social media channels!
Request approval to attend the ACUI Region V Conference with this justification letter template. It highlights the benefits of attendance, from professional growth to institutional impact, empowering you to build a strong case for your request.