Kara Bauer, Ed.D. | Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kara Bauer has over 25 years of experience in Student Affairs, with a focus on housing and residential education. She currently serves as the Interim Chief Student Development Officer at San Diego State University, a role she stepped into in April 2024. In this capacity, she provides leadership across several student affairs areas, including residential education, career services, program evaluation, student rights and responsibilities, and restorative practices. Dr. Bauer has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the SDSU College of Education’s Leadership minor and major programs and is a member of the Leadership Program Advisory Board. She is passionate about fostering student and staff growth, development, and success, always reminding those around her that they matter.
Leading with Vision, Living with Vitality: Your Impact Matters
Are you leading with vision and living with vitality? This keynote addresses the crucial balance between professional impact and personal well-being. We’ll delve into crafting and embracing your own leadership path, navigating the unpredictable with grace, and leveraging the transformative power of reflection. Most importantly, we’ll reinforce the fundamental truth: YOU MATTER. Join us for a blend of practical strategies, inspiring insights, and a touch of foundational theory to fuel your journey.
Crystal D. Lay, Ph.D. | Chair
Dr. Crystal D. Lay serves as the Director of Campus Living, Community Staffing at Northern Arizona University. She is also an adjunct instructor in the Counseling—Student Affairs program. Crystal is the proud Mom of 3 amazing humans who serve as inspiration for her continuing work in Higher Education. Crystal has gathered extensive experience through various housing roles at predominantly medium and large public institutions over the past two decades. Some of Crystal’s most memorable professional development opportunities, in housing, are attending NHTI as a participant, serving on the WACUHO and AIMHO Executive boards, presenting at Campus Home. Live!, and being on the planning team for the 2021 Aspiring Director’s Institute. Crystal has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Miami University, an MS in Cultural Foundations of Education from UW-Milwaukee, an MS in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University, and a BA in English Literature and Broadcast Communications from North Central College.
Evolving with Purpose: A Personalized Professional Development Journey
Professional development doesn’t just happen in day-to-day work—it requires intentionality and reflection. Each person’s journey is unique, and it’s important to embrace different paths to growth. This session will explore how we can evolve with purpose, create intentional development plans, and navigate career growth with confidence.
Suzanne Price, Ph.D. | Chair-Elect
Suzanne Price is the Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises at Clemson University where she leads the Housing Operations and Sustainability Education including a dynamic team of full-time and graduate staff. She serves as Auxiliary Enterprises strategic planning lead, Institutional Excellence lead, and ERP User Group Lead. In addition, she facilitates the university bookstore contract (currently with Barnes & Noble) in coordination with the bookstore general manager and coordinates day-to-day contract support for the university dining contract (currently with Aramark).
She has worked at Clemson University for 26 years in a variety of positions including Orientation, Leadership Learning, Civic Engagement, and Student Government Advising. She is also adjunct faculty in the Women’s Leadership program. Suzanne recently completed her term as the ACUHO-I Knowledge Enhancement Director where she supported the association throughout the global pandemic through regular communication with multiple committee leaders, facilitation of intentional conversations and training sessions at various on-line and in-person educational events and representing the membership in important decisions and conversations about our profession. She embraces authentic leadership and is transparent and forthcoming in her passion for student success, whether advocating in the board room, facilitating conversation and learning in the classroom, or challenging and supporting staff in the office.
“It’s not my issue” no longer works: Navigating Campus Politics.
As an emerging leader you were probably shielded from most campus politics; however, in the mid-level leader role you may find yourself in the throes of campus politics with little or no preparation. Navigating campus politics can be exciting, exhausting, risky, and so much more. We will explore elements of campus politics, identify stakeholders, and determine possible strategies for navigating campus politics in the context of today’s political climate.
Current Crisis in Action
In today’s interconnected world, crises don’t happen in a vacuum. What unfolds on a national or global scale often has direct and immediate implications for student housing professionals. As mid-level leaders, staying informed and understanding the ripple effects of current events is critical to making sound decisions that support your department, as well as your students and staff.
Demarcus Merritt, Sr. | Consultant-in-Residence
Demarcus Merritt, Sr.’s most salient and joy-serving identities include being a Black man, a fiance, a father of two Black boys and one heavenly daughter, and a devoted member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
He currently serves as the inaugural Assistant Director for Belonging & Engagement with George Mason University’s Housing & Residence Life Unit. Some of his initial critical priorities include being responsible for developing and implementing a transformative inclusion strategy that guides staff training and development, student engagement, and belonging initiatives, serving as a liaison for identity-based offices and campus partnerships, and provide expert counsel and advisement to Housing & Residence Life Leadership on policy and procedures to ensure inclusion based decision-making.
Demarcus has provided critical contributions in scholarship and service for regional and national organizations. He has been a solo or partnering author for nearly 25+ regional to national published articles and has conducted 50+ research presentations throughout the United States and on international platforms. Some of his most notable leadership includes a two-year term as Secretary of the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers’ (SEAHO) Executive Board, Co-Chair for the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) Professional of Color Network (now referred to as the Black Professionals Network), and Faculty appointments with the SEAHO Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI) as well as for ACUHOI’s James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute (NHTI), STARS College, and most recently the 2024 Mid Level Leadership Institute. Lastly, he is concluding a two-year term serving as the ACUHO-I representative on the Student Affairs Educator Certification – Inclusion, Equity, and Engagement Committee for the Higher Education Consortium. Most recently in November 2024, he was voted in as the President-Elect for the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers (VACUHO) for a three year service term.
Fill Your Cup, Share Your Saucer: Holistic Strategies for Navigating Agency and Identity Through Influence and Impact in the Workplace
Agency starts from within, shaping how we show up and engage in our work. It extends outward, allowing us to provide authentic support and agency to others in our professional spaces. Our identities, beliefs, and experiences collectively influence how we navigate our roles and responsibilities with students and colleagues. This session will explore the intersection of identity and agency through Social Identity Theory (Tajfel, 1970), offering insights and strategies to cultivate meaningful support, belonging, and influence in the workplace.
Addressing the Project Management Elephant in the Room
Have you ever wondered what project management actually involves is? Have you ever thought project management sounds scary or like something that is not applicable to Residence Life & Housing Professionals? In this session, we will explore key strategies and tools that residence life professionals can use to be effective project managers! From effectively manage projects, from planning through execution and implementation, we will dive into best practices for time management, communication, team collaboration, and resource allocation—all tailored to the unique needs and challenges of residential communities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to prioritize initiatives, manage timelines, and navigate the complexities of student life, all while ensuring that projects meet both student and institutional needs. Whether you’re managing events, policy rollouts, or facility upgrades, this presentation will provide practical insights to enhance your project management skills and drive successful outcomes. We will utilize real life examples that are scalable to all size departments and projects.
2025 Faculty
Areis A. Lurry
Areis A. Lurry serves as the Associate Director of Administration and Operations in the Student Housing Office at Loyola Marymount University. He previously held leadership roles in residence life, housing, and business operations at the University of Memphis, the University of Missouri-Saint Louis, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, building expertise in student affairs and operational leadership. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, housing management, and nonprofit leadership, he is dedicated to advancing equity, social justice, and community empowerment.
Areis holds an undergraduate degree in Business/Marketing Education, as well as graduate degrees in Business Administration, Social Work, and Healthcare Administration. Informed by this diverse academic foundation, he enhances his leadership and operational expertise, prioritizing student well-being and creating inclusive environments that empower students to thrive. As a professional change agent, he has passionately advocated for marginalized communities, promoting resilience and cultural awareness in his leadership approach.
Beyond the Numbers: Crafting Your Budget Story in Housing and Residence Life
Dive into the dynamic world of budgeting in housing and residence life! This interactive session will explore how campus factors, administrative priorities, and occupancy strategies shape budget decisions. Gain hands-on experience in using financial data to inform strategic decisions, communicate budget priorities, and advocate for resources that support your department’s goals and enhance student living experiences.
Evolving with Purpose: A Personalized Professional Development Journey
Professional development doesn’t just happen in day-to-day work—it requires intentionality and reflection. Each person’s journey is unique, and it’s important to embrace different paths to growth. This session will explore how we can evolve with purpose, create intentional development plans, and navigate career growth with confidence.
Matt Nelson, Ph.D.
Matt Nelson serves as the Director of Residence Life at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), where he leads a team of 35 professional staff and 300 student staff to create an exceptional residential experience for 5,600+ students annually. His comprehensive portfolio includes community development, co-curricular learning experiences, crisis response, residential learning communities, desk operations, housing contracts and room assignments, policy development, and more.
Before joining the UNL community, Matt held student housing roles at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Creighton University. He earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from UNL and a Master’s in Higher Education & Student Affairs from Indiana University. His dissertation, The Role of Undergraduate Student Affairs Coursework in Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals’ Career Development, reflects his commitment to shaping future leaders in higher education.
The Art of Purposeful Supervision
Purposeful supervision is an art and requires more than just managing people—it’s about role modeling, promoting growth, and fostering inclusion within our diverse teams. This interactive session will help mid-level housing leaders explore high-impact supervision practices that enhance team performance and engagement. Participants will identify their personal leadership values and style, recognizing how these shape their supervisory approach. Through discussion and reflection, attendees will also examine the diverse needs of staff to create a purposeful supervisory framework which can be implemented in their own context.
Current Crisis in Action
In today’s interconnected world, crises don’t happen in a vacuum. What unfolds on a national or global scale often has direct and immediate implications for student housing professionals. As mid-level leaders, staying informed and understanding the ripple effects of current events is critical to making sound decisions that support your department, as well as your students and staff.
Sam Soren
Sam Soren has been the Director of Housing & Residential Experience at Colorado College since September 2021. She joined CC after 10 years at Stony Brook University as both an Assistant Director and a Residence Hall Director, as well as serving as a Residence Hall Director at SUNY Oswego. Sam has experience at both large public and small private institutions. Sam is an alumna of Western Michigan University’s Higher Education Student Affairs program and Rutgers University with a bachelor’s in political science & art history. Within Student Affairs, Sam is passionate for training and development as well as staff recruitment initiatives. When not working, Sam enjoys running, travelling, and all things Peloton.
Meet me in the Middle: How Can I be Successful as a Mid-Level Leader
In this session, we’ll explore the experience of being a mid-level professional—what it means to occupy these roles including the challenges and opportunities it presents. We’ll dive into communication strategies that help you effectively manage both staff above and below you in the organizational chart, ensuring smoother interactions and fostering better collaboration. Additionally, we’ll examine how both personal and institutional identities influence your role and explore how these factors can help you navigate your position with confidence. We’ll focus on how to find fulfillment and enjoyment in your mid-level role, empowering you to thrive in your career and create meaningful impact within your institution.
Addressing the Project Management Elephant in the Room
Have you ever wondered what project management actually involves is? Have you ever thought project management sounds scary or like something that is not applicable to Residence Life & Housing Professionals? In this session, we will explore key strategies and tools that residence life professionals can use to be effective project managers! From effectively manage projects, from planning through execution and implementation, we will dive into best practices for time management, communication, team collaboration, and resource allocation—all tailored to the unique needs and challenges of residential communities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to prioritize initiatives, manage timelines, and navigate the complexities of student life, all while ensuring that projects meet both student and institutional needs. Whether you’re managing events, policy rollouts, or facility upgrades, this presentation will provide practical insights to enhance your project management skills and drive successful outcomes. We will utilize real life examples that are scalable to all size departments and projects.