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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.