Region VIII

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Great Britain, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ireland, Prince Edward Island, and Qatar
Regional Conference
Volunteer
Awards & Scholarships
Regional Leadership Team

What’s Happening in Region VIII

Upcoming Regional Events

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Today

The Info Desk

Region VIII is excited to re-engage its members through its podcast!

Our Season 3 podcasts focus on our involved ACUI Region VIII Leadership Team (RLT) and Conference Planning Team (CPT) members who have received scholarships in the past and how these scholarships have helped them in their careers and much more!

To listen to Season 3, (and prior seasons of Region VIII’s Info Desk), please click here.

Region VIII Info Desk Logo

If you have feedback or a topic you want to see discussed, please engage with us or send us a message through our region’s Instagram account ACUIRegionVIII. We look forward to hearing from you!

Regional Conference

This year’s 2024 Regional Conference will be hosted at UMass Boston from Nov. 22-23rd.

Learn More

Awards and Scholarships

Region VIII offers numerous awards and scholarships to recognize and advance professionals and students within the region.

Learn MOre

Volunteer

Looking for a great way to volunteer while building connections with your peers from across the region? ACUI’s regions have a variety of ways for you to volunteer, including as regional director, roles on the Regional Leadership Team, or workings to plan the Regional Conference.

The following positions are open through January 9.

AppLy Now
Regional Conference Planning Team Member

Other Opportunities

Our region is offering the opportunity to volunteer on an episodic basis. This means if you are interested in volunteering with Region VIII but cannot commit to a long-term volunteer role, complete the ACUI Region VIII Volunteer Interest Form linked below and you will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator to help when we need volunteers for a short-term project. Episodic volunteer opportunities are open to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals. Led by the volunteer coordinator, these volunteers may be called upon to help with drive-in workshops, awards and scholarship selection committees, educational session program reviewing, or other educational programs. These episodic opportunities will have expectations, but no official requirements in terms of time or attendance.

To join one of the teams listed below, please complete the Episodic Interest Application. The Region VIII Volunteer Coordinator will review your application and be in contact regarding this volunteer opportunity and connect you to the appropriate Regional Leadership Team member based on your interest.

The Awards and Scholarship Volunteer Team is a committee of people who will be called upon in mid- to late October and again in May to review nominations and submissions for various regional award and scholarship opportunities.

If selected, committee members review and provide feedback on submissions/nominations while avoiding personal conflicts of interest. This may be conducted via email and/or conference call, based on the availability of its members.

Members of the Communications Team will:  

  • be given opportunities to help generate content for regional communication, including but not limited to email newsletters, visual communication, slide shows, and video production.
  • volunteer to take on delegated tasks from the communications coordinator and/or web & social media coordinator.
  • be asked to commit minimal time throughout the year based on their own availability and interest in graphic design, writing, photography, and editing.

Members of the Educational Program Team will:

  • participate in educational and online education programs that the region hosts.
  • volunteer to take on delegated tasks necessary to the successful execution of Region VII educational programming.
  • have opportunities to work with the inclusivity and online learning coordinators if they require assistance in their education programming.
  • participate in a monthly conference call led by the educational program coordinator to check in on progress and plans for upcoming programs, and to reflect on past programs.

Members of the Regional Conference Educational Session Review Committee will be called upon some time between late-July and September to review educational sessions submitted for Region VII’s regional conference. This committee should keep in mind ACUI Core Competencies, professional and student interests, and offer a variety of topics to our regional delegates.

Regional Leadership Team

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Adam Dunbar
University of Massachusetts–Lowell
adam_dunbar@uml.edu

Regional BUSINESS MANAGER

Michael Wigg
University of Westminster
m.wigg@westminster.ac.uk

EDUCATIONAL Programs COORDINATOR

Michelle Dabenigno
Bentley University
mdabenigno@bentey.edu

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Sarah Wilson
University of Connecticut
sarahwilson@uconn.edu

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Vacant

International Communications liason

Deirdre Kennelly
Mary Immaculate College
Dee.Kennelly@mic.ul.ie

iNTERNATIONAL liason

Una Redmond
Dublin City University
una.redmond@dcu.ie

SPAR liaison

Mary Connelly
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Mary_Connelly@uml.edu 

2025 CONFERENCE COORDINATOR

Lina Balcom
University of Vermont
lbalcom@uvm.edu

2026 CONFERENCE COORDINATOR

Vacant

MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Tiffany Moffo Simpson
University of Connecticut
tiffany.simpson@uconn.edu

RECOGNITION COORDINATOR

Michelle Frizzell
Bentley University
mfrizzell@bentley.edu

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR

Mike Makoski
Smith College
mmakosi@smith.edu

INCLUSIVITY COORDINATOR

Vacant

STUDENT MEMBER

Ovoke Adams Adamatie
University of West Scotland
vokeadamx@gmail.com

This position is accepting applications until January 9!

The Regional Conference Planning Team works to provide an inclusive, accessible, and affordable educational experience for members of the region. In this role, volunteers will strengthen their teamwork, communication, and innovation, all while setting the tone for members’ community experience at the event. 

This regional planning position is ideal for those interested in collaborating to create experiences that engage members through events, research, fundraising, and other opportunities.

Reporting to the regional conference coordinator, for a one-year term, team members are expected to:

  • Ensure that the ACUI core competencies are seamlessly incorporated into all educational aspects of the conference.
  • Ensure that designated tracks and conference experiences are of the highest quality, and meet the needs, of all members of the ACUI regional community.
  • Seek educational programs that exhibit best practices in the profession, content experts who are forward thinking, and sessions that share new discoveries and create conversations on challenging issues in the field.
  • Enhance communication with ACUI communities of practice
  • Strengthen partnerships with ACUI corporate partners to increase sponsored program offerings and augment the exhibit hall experience.
  • Use technology to strengthen recruitment, communication, and the delivery of the conference program.
  • Attend and participate in all team planning meetings and conference calls as determined by the team throughout the year.
  • Register for and attend the regional conference.
  • Participate in regular conference calls with other regional counterparts as needed.
  • Act as a resource person for the region and campus organizations.
  • Inspire student involvement in the regional conference and other ACUI programs and services.
  • Provide information to help promote the activities, services, and events of the region through appropriate regional communications opportunities.
  • Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Association.

The makeup of the Regional Conference Planning Team will vary among regions, but note that all teams are expected to include: a team member to serve as the host coordinator, who is identified through site selection process; and a team member to lead the educational components of the conference, who is selected through the team application process.

All regions are seeking applications for this position.

ReGion I
Region II
Region III
Region IV
Region V
Region VI
Region VII
Region VIII

The written application will ask you to:

  • Provide your name, institution, and contact information
  • Describe your relevant professional experience, ACUI volunteer experience, other professional/community volunteer experience, and/or educational background
  • Select which volunteer opportunities you are interested in
  • Upload a signed Institutional Support Form [pdf], as this position requires travel, financial support to register for event(s), and/or significant out-of-office time

Note: The application process is updated this year through our new membership platform—which means applications can autofill with your profile information, be saved as pending for edits until you officially submit, and be stored for your future access. In order to submit an application, you will need to create an account login, if you don’t already have one.

To discuss volunteering with your institution to ensure that they are supportive of your involvement, download these About Volunteer with ACUI talking points [pdf] to share additional information about what it means to be a volunteer.

A screening committee made up of the volunteer team leader, the regional membership experience coordinator, and other related volunteers will review applications, interview candidates, and make recommendations for selections.

At the time of application, individuals must have: employment at a higher education institution; institutional or individual membership; a signed institutional support form; and a commitment to fulfilling the duties of the position for the length of the term. Student applicants must be a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student who is not a full-time employee at the institution; involved in a college union/student activities department; not set to graduate the upcoming May or August; and committed to fulfilling the duties of the position for the length of the term.

Applicants must also demonstrate an understanding of ACUI’s vision, core values, and core competencies, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. 

Regional planning volunteer positions require a commitment of one year. While projects vary by season and role, over the course of the term, volunteers should anticipate approximately four hours of conference call and project work per month.