The Division of Administration and Finance was well represented at the 2024 National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) C3X Annual Conference & Expo in Kissimmee, Florida.
The annual conference and expo provided more than 1,000 leaders in higher education and NACAS Business Partners the opportunity to come together to forge meaningful connections and share knowledge with each other. This year’s theme, ‘Leading Back to Our Future’ showcased a change from reactive survival mode to proactive leadership.
This year, two A&F members, Deborah Huebler, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, and Dr. Esmeralda Valdez, Executive Director of University Services, were among the seven honored with the inaugural 2024 Cornerstone of the Profession Award which recognizes NACAS members who have demonstrated a profound investment in their institutions and to the auxiliary services profession, including a commitment to volunteer leadership with NACAS spanning at least a decade.
Additionally, Valdez, and Dr. Emily Messa, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President for Administration, were sworn into the NACAS National Board of Directors. Valdez was sworn in as the South Regionale Representative, while Messa is the NACAS Foundation Board President.
A&F leaders were also instrumental in sharing information on some of the technology, programs, and services that have been successfully implemented at the University of Houston to improve and enhance the service experience.
Messa presented ‘AI, Robots, Ghost Kitchens, Student Learning Outcomes and Automation: What are the Next Big Ideas for Campus Dining and Catering?’ session along with Texas Tech Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services, Patrick Albritton.
Messa also presented alongside UH Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies (HELPS) Professor Dr. Dave A. Louis and several UH HELPS graduate students, on, ‘Leveraging On-Campus Graduate Programs for the Auxiliary Workforce of the Future.’
Neil Hart, Assistant Vice President of Parking and Transportation, led a solo session, ‘How the University of Houston Has Embraced Technology to Advance Parking and Transportation’ and shared how his department has used technology to work more efficiently and provide enhanced services for faculty, staff, and students.
DaNesha Allen, Senior Director of Auxiliary Services joined Tom Strange, President & CEO of Revenue Vision to lead a panel titled, ‘Improved Contract/Vendor Relations with Data Analytics. A&F has been using Revenue Vision as its enterprise contract management solution for many years. Allen also received recognition for achieving her CASP (Certified Auxiliary Services Professional) Certification.
Rounding out the presentations was Huebler who co-led the session, ‘You’ve Implemented Equitable Access. Now What?’ alongside Michael Moore, Affiliate Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Hampshire.
