Region I

Region I Letter from the Director

For those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Jenny Puccinelli (she/her/hers), and I am excited to serve as your ACUI Region I Regional Director. Thank you to Samantha Liu for her fearless leadership the past two years!

My connection with ACUI began 29 years ago at the 1995 Region 15 conference in Los Angeles. It was there that I found my professional home and discovered the transformative power of this incredible community. Through ACUI, I’ve formed lifelong friendships, built a network of colleagues who have supported and inspired me, and, most importantly, learned countless ways to enhance the experiences of the students we all serve.

As I begin my term as your Regional Director, I would like to focus on the following and I invite you to work together with me to make it a reality.

• Increase student input and involvement through direct engagement. Our students are at the heart of what we do, and ensuring they feel empowered and heard is essential to advancing our mission.
• Rekindle in person engagement by expanding engagement opportunities beyond conferences. These interactions foster deeper connections, spark creativity, and strengthen our sense of community in ways that virtual platforms simply can’t replicate. If you’re interested in helping host or organize these events, I’d love to hear from you.
• Increase our financial strength by exploring partnerships, sponsorships, and alternative revenue streams.

This region and association are only as strong as the collective contributions of its members — you. Each one of you brings unique perspectives, talents, and experiences that can make a real difference. So I’m asking for your active engagement!

I’m incredibly excited about the journey ahead and honored to serve alongside such a talented and dedicated group of students and professionals. Together, I know we can achieve great things for Region I and ACUI as a whole.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead, collaborate, and grow with you over the next two years!

Jenny