CHICAGO — The Association of College Unions International is pleased to announce that the 2011–12 Board of Trustees officially took office at ACUI’s 91st annual conference in Chicago.
After serving a year as president-elect, Thomas Lane, Missouri State University, now leads the Board of Trustees as president.
“It’s hard to describe what a tremendous and humbling honor it is to stand in front of this Association as your president,” Lane said during his annual conference address. “ACUI has brought so much joy to my life, has challenged me, supported me, and has been a constant source of knowledge throughout my career as a college union professional."
In late 2010, the Association elected the new members of the Board of Trustees. David Barnes, James Madison University, will serve as president-elect.
“I am honored, I am humbled, and I am so very excited to be elected by my peers to serve as a leader of my professional organization of choice,” Barnes said. “It is my hope that, together, this collective leadership team can continue a strong history of innovative and effective strategic decision making.”
Barnes has served in a variety of leadership roles, both regionally and internationally. From 2007–09, he was an at-large member on the Board of Trustees. Other positions include chairperson of the 2007 Conference Program Team, Region 5 director, and member of the 2000 Strategic Process Core Team.
Three new at-large members were also elected and officially joined the Board of Trustees at the annual conference.
Willie Banks, University of Georgia, is the associate dean of students for intercultural affairs. His previous leadership experience within the Association includes serving as the Administration, Finance, and Management Education Council co-chair from 2009–11, as a member of the 2010 Strategic Planning Core Team, and as membership coordinator for Region 6.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be selected by the membership to serve on the board and look forward to working with the board to advance the Association’s strategic priorities,” Banks said.
Kim Harrington-Pete, Georgia Institute of Technology, is the acting Student Center director. Prior to running for the Board of Trustees, Harrington-Pete was on the 2010 and 2005 Conference Program Team as well as Region 6 director from 2005–07.
“I have had several very positive volunteer experiences within ACUI and have learned and grown tremendously as a direct result of my involvement,” Harrington-Pete said. “The opportunity to serve the Association in this capacity was very attractive and provided me with the potential to give back and work hard to add value.”
Tamara Yakaboski, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, is an assistant professor of higher education and qualitative research. She previously served the Association as the Facilities and Operations Education Council co-chair from 2003–06 and was a member of the 2010 Strategic Planning Core Team.
“ACUI gave me skills that continue to develop over time and relationships that continue to be very important to me professionally and personally,” Yakaboski said. “I am now in a position to give back to the Association and membership and that drives my commitment to ACUI. Given the upcoming 100th year anniversary and new strategic direction, this is an exciting time to be a part of a dedicated group of colleagues who are all committed to moving the Association forward.”
These four recently elected individuals, along with now-president Thomas Lane, join the following current members of the ACUI Board of Trustees: Meg O’Sullivan, SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Jerry Mann, University of North Carolina–Charlotte; and Susan Payment, College of Charleston.
More information about the ACUI Board of Trustees and terms of elected leadership may be found here.
A PDF copy of the original press release maybe downloaded here.