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 VI for the 2026 Regional Conference at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, November 13–15!
Join us at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor amid the vibrant colors of fall to connect, inspire, and grow together! We are looking forward to hosting an unforgettable experience centered on the lessons and perspectives that truly stick with us.
Don’t miss this opportunity for thought-provoking conversations on what it means to lead and connect. Come ready to share your unique insights, bring valuable takeaways back to your campus, and recharge with your professional community!
Registration
Regular (Through October 16)
- Professional Member: $350
- Professional Nonmember: $450
- Student Member: $250
- Student Nonmember: $350
- Retiree: $150
Late (October 16–November 3)
- Professional Member: $400
- Professional Nonmember: $500
- Student Member: $300
- Student Nonmember: $350
- Retiree: $150
Schedule
Please find the full schedule and more in ACUI’s mobile guide, Eventsential.
Some information related to the conference are only available to registered conference attendees. You will need to create an account with Eventsential to access locked down features via the desktop site or the mobile app. Here is how you do that:
- Either visit the desktop site or download the Eventsential app from your phone’s app store. You can find your specific event guide by searching for the event name.
- Select “Log In” in the upper right corner.
- As prompted, enter the email address used when you registered.
- If you have never created an account with Eventsential, it will ask for your first and last name, then send an email for you to sign in to the event (as confirmation of your identity).
- If you have created an account with Eventsential before, it will simply send an email that will allow you to sign in to the event.
- When logging in to Eventsential in the future, you will simply need to provide your email address, then use the link provided via email to access your account. There is no requirement to create a password.
If upon initial access of the conference program website, you are unable to access the locked down sections, please refresh or navigate to another content area. This should dismiss the message about restrictions.
If access issues persist, please request assistance through the “Need Help” feature on the program website.
Preconference Tours
“Big House” Michigan Stadium Tour
Friday, November 13, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Experience the grandeur of Michigan Stadium like never before with our exclusive behind-the-scenes tours! Guided by knowledgeable tour experts, you’ll journey through the storied history of “The Big House,” gaining insider access to areas typically off-limits to the public. Marvel at the expansive field, explore the locker rooms where legends have prepped for victory, and walk through the tunnel where players have felt the thrill of game day. Whether a die-hard Wolverines fan or a history enthusiast, our tour promises an unforgettable exploration of one of college football’s most iconic venues. Join us and discover why Michigan Stadium is not just a place, but a legacy.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Campus Farm
Friday, November 13, Noon–2 p.m.
This tour will provide an in-depth look at Campus Farm followed by options for exploring the Conservatory or outdoor trails. The Campus Farm at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is student-driven multi-stakeholder living learning lab for sustainable food systems work built around food grown by students for students in a learning community that fosters student leadership development and high-impact teaching and learning opportunities. A living collection of plants from around the world, the Conservatory connects beauty with purpose. Through research, teaching, and partnership, we care for these plants in ways that honor their origins and invite shared responsibility for the future of our planet. Learn more about the Mattaei Botanical Gardens and Campus Farms on their webpage.
Maize & Blue Cupboard
Friday, November 13, 1–2 p.m.
The Maize & Blue Cupboard is dedicated to ensure members of the University of Michigan community—whether on a tight budget or physically restrained from getting to a grocery store—receive equitable access to healthy, nutritious, and nourishing food and the ability to prepare it for themselves or others. During this time, attendees will be volunteering their time to package up emergency food kits that will later be distributed across campus. Learn more about the Maize and Blue Cupboard on their webpage.
Gerald Ford Presidential Library
Friday, November 13, Noon–1 p.m.
Before he left the presidency, Gerald Ford donated to the government all of his congressional, Vice Presidential, and Presidential historical materials, including the files of his White House staff. He was the first President to do so while still in office. The 1974-77 presidential papers of Gerald Ford and his White House staff form the core collection. These are supplemented by the pre- and post-presidential papers of Gerald Ford, the papers of Betty Ford, collections of Federal records, and more. The Library opened to the public on April 27, 1981 covering 50,000 square feet of space. Housed inside the Library are: 23 million pages of documents; 325,000 still photographs; 3,500 video hours; 3,000 audio hours and 787,000 feet of motion picture film. During this time, attendees will have the opportunity for a self-guided walk through the library and the chance to chat with an on site archivist. For more information on the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, visit their webpage.
Keynote Speakers
Jennifer Judge Hensel
Jennifer Judge Hensel has spent a decade leading communications and marketing for one of the nation’s top engineering schools. Her work helped expand the college’s story of engineering—not just what engineers do, but also who sees a place for themselves in the field—earning a Grand Gold CASE award and shaping the college’s brand direction for years to follow. Her approach connects big ideas to the strategies, people, and messaging that make them real, drawing on a career built across roles as executive, director, strategist, editor, instructor, and mom. She thrives in complex environments, and her passion is empowering diverse groups to collaborate, be creative, deliver powerful results—and have fun doing it.
Janel Sutkus, Ph.D.
Janel Sutkus, Ph.D., has been part of the professional higher education community for 37 years. She is an accomplished social science researcher and skilled methodologist who is proficient at turning raw data into a meaningful story. Considered an innovative and strategic thinker who has helped to engender a culture of inquiry at her institutions, she assists colleagues in framing, developing, and refining the research questions that guide investigations. Readers and listeners often comment on her ability to describe complex relationships in uncomplicated, understandable, and highly-engaging ways.
Susan Pile
Susan earned degrees from Miami University, Indiana University, and University of Illinois. She worked in fraternity/sorority life before beginning her career in the Illini Union at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign. At the Illini Union, she found her passion for the important work of college unions and student activities.
Susan joined the University of Michigan in 2004 and has since held several leadership roles, including director of the Michigan Union and arts & programs. Since 2015, Susan has been the senior director for University Unions and auxiliary services. In this role, Susan is responsible for community building and belonging through the integration of three student union facilities (Michigan Union, Michigan League, Pierpont Commons), Center for Campus Involvement, Campus Information, meeting/event spaces, retail food, bookstore and other services to support student success. She also led the $85 million renovation to the historic Michigan Union, one of the oldest college unions in the country and an iconic campus landmark for building community. Susan currently serves ACUI as president-elect.
Travel
Hotel
Region VI has confirmed limited room blocks at two lodging locations for the conference:
Bell Tower Hotel
300 S. Thayer Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Secure the group rate of $189 per night by October 9
Graduate By Hilton Ann Arbor
615 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Secure the group rate of $229 per night by October 13
The Inn at The Michigan League
911 N. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Travel from DTW to Ann Arbor
Parking
- Recommended to park at your hotel
- Closest Public Parking Lot – Maynard Parking Structure (Central to Michigan Union and Michigan League)
- Most parking is visitor pay parking or permit parking
- Ann Arbor Parking Structures and Garages
Sponsorship
Interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities at the Region VI conference? Reach out to Brigid Griffin at griffib4@miamioh.edu.
Region VI T-Shirts
Regional Conference Planning Team
2026 Conference Chair
Brigid Griffin
Miami University
griffib4@miamioh.edu
2027 Conference Chair/Logistics Chair
Ryan Benjamin
Transylvania University
rbenjamin@transy.edu
Logistics Team
Kevin McMahan
University of Michigan
mcmahan@umich.edu
Membership Chair
Cathy Fitzpatrick
Michigan State University
carsonc@msu.edu
Membership Team
Natalie Preston
University of Michigan
prestnat@umich.edu
Programming (Sessions)
Yaqob Nagi
Wayne State University
ef2693@wayne.edu
Programming (Student Track)
Artturi Harcher
Virginia Commonwealth University
harchera@vcu.edu
Programming (Student Track)
Anusha Bose
University of Michigan
bosean@umich.edu
Communications Liaison
Taylor Jackson
Virginia Commonwealth University
jacksontl4@vcu.edu
Host Chair
Stephanie Beld-Steichen
University of Michigan
sbeldste@umich.edu
Host Team
Linsey Scriven
University of Michigan
scrivenl@umich.edu