Meet the passionate individuals committed to championing the goals of the Association and supporting its members every step of the way.
The ACUHO-I staff is the driving force behind executing our strategic mission, providing members with information and resources, and strengthening their professional community. Ready to connect? Contact ACUHO-I today, and let us be a catalyst for your success.
Staff Leadership
Mary M. DeNiro
CEO | Executive Director
Mary DeNiro has served as ACUHO-I CEO since 2015. In this capacity, she works with the executive board to fulfill the organization’s mission, executes its strategic direction, and leads the home office staff as they support the work of its international membership.
Prior to coming to ACUHO-I, DeNiro served as the chief engagement officer for the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. Prior to that, she was senior vice president of sales and marketing for Capital Newspapers and vice president of advertising for Thomson Newspapers.
DeNiro earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University, an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and certificates from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and the Northwestern University executive management programs.
Holly Stapleton, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Business Operations & Chief of Staff
Holly Stapleton leads ACUHO-I staff to achieve operational excellence as they implement the events, research, publications, and resources that support the Association’s strategic plan. In addition, she is the staff liaison for the ACUHO-I State of the Profession and Future of the Profession initiatives.
Before joining the association, Stapleton worked in residence life at St. Lawrence University and as an academic advisor in the College of Education & Human Ecology at The Ohio State University. As a graduate student, she held student life positions in university wellness at the University of Dayton and student leadership at Bowling Green State University. As a doctoral student at Bowling Green State University, she also served as a research assistant in the Higher Education and Student Affairs department.
Stapleton earned her doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University, her Master of Science in Education in College Student Personnel from the University of Dayton, and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kenyon College.
Sheila M. Meyer
Senior Director of Finance and Administration
Sheila Meyer provides financial oversight and direction, development of operational policies, procedures and analytics, business process improvement and efficiencies, business proposals and policies, and assists with building operations. She works with the association’s Finance and Corporate Records Officer, the Foundation treasurer, and both boards’ finance and audit committees to facilitate prudent fiscal management.
Before joining ACUHO-I, Meyer was Director of Finance and Civil Services for the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Controller for Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia Vision Service Plans. She has been a member of the Government Finance Officers Association and Ohio Society of CPAs, and most recently sat on the board of directors for Fairfield County Developmental Disabilities serving on the board’s Finance and Operations committees.
Meyer earned a Master of Business Operational Excellence degree from The Ohio State University, a Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting from Franklin University, and an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Ohio University.
ACUHO-I Education
Alexis Foley, ME Educational Program Coordinator
Alexis Foley has spent her career equipping college students and adult learners in the workplace with information, tools, and resources that support their personal and professional development. For ACUHO-I, she coordinates a number of virtual events and is the staff liaison for several volunteer networks. Contact her to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I Live-In Symposium
- ACUHO-I Multicultural Symposium
- ACUHO-I Networks
- Related volunteer committees
Spencer M. Giese Educational Program Manager
Spencer Giese takes the knowledge gained from more than a decade of experience as a student affairs practitioner and focuses it on developing valuable educational experiences for ACUHO-I members. Among his responsibilities are those programs that focus on pre-professionals interested in pursuing campus housing careers. Contact him to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I / APPA Facilities Management Conference
- Housing Internship Program
- James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute
- STARS College
- Related volunteer committees
Emily Kelly, CAE Learning & Professional Development Director
Emily Kelly brings a wealth of association experience to ACUHO-I where she helps create educational events, courses, and programs that meet the evolving needs of campus housing professionals. Drawing on a foundation of adult education practices and informed by established competencies, she helps shape programs that meet housing professionals at each stage of their careers. Contact her to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I Core Curriculum
- Senior Housing Institute
- Online courses
- Related volunteer committees
Lynda Wylie Special Project Manager
Lynda Wylie brings her expertise in higher education and project management to help create and maintain educational resources for the ACUHO-I membership, focusing on those delivered online. Contact her to learn more about:
- Reslife.Net
- Student Affairs Education Certification
ACUHO-I Publications & Research
James A. Baumann, MS Publications Director
James Baumann leverages his writing, editing, and production experience to deliver educational resources and empower ACUHO-I volunteers to share their knowledge, expertise, and professional stories. In addition, he manages the ACUHO-I online community, where members ask and answer questions on every aspect of the profession. Contact him to learn more about:
- Talking Stick magazine
- The Journal of College & University Student Housing
- ACUHO-I website and online community
- Related volunteer committees
Tori Negash, Ph.D. Research Initiatives Manager
Tori Negash is an experienced higher education professional and researcher who believes in evidence-based decision-making. For ACUHO-I, she manages the Campus Housing Index and supports a variety of research-related initiatives. Contact her to learn more about:
- Campus Housing Index
- Funded Research Grants
- ACUHO-I Standards
- Related volunteer committees
Camille Perlman Managing Editor
Camille Perlman lends her writing and editing talents to assist with producing ACUHO-I publications. She helps manage the Association magazine and journal by working closely with volunteer authors and editors. Contact her to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I Bookstore
- Journal of College & University Student Housing
- Talking Stick magazine
- Related volunteer committees
Membership & Industry Partners
Megan Bricker, MBA Member Engagement Director
Megan Bricker passionately oversees all aspects of membership for institutions and individuals. By working with all members to help them interact more effectively with the association, she is always available to help non-members and current members when needed. Contact her to learn more about:
- Institutional membership
- Individual membership
- Customer service issues
Mandy Hinkel Corporate Relations Director
Mandy Hinkel understands the value of the relationships that form between ACUHO-I’s industry partners and the colleges and universities that they serve. Contact her to learn more about:
- Sponsorship opportunities
- Business partnerships
- Industry partner membership
- Conference exhibiting
Heaven Spurlock Corporate Relations Manager
Heaven Spurlock works closely with ACUHO-I’s industry partners to help them connect with institutions through advertising, exhibiting, and other opportunities. By spotlighting these avenues, she is often the first step in partnerships that can last for years. Contact her to learn more about:
- Industry partner membership
- Advertising in publications and online outlets
- Conference exhibiting
Finance & Administration
Kimberly Teeple Systems and Database Analyst
Kimberly Teeple supports the numerous technological platforms that provide the services and data that ACUHO-I requires to best serve its membership. Her attention to detail and member-focused processes help maximize the member experience. Contact her to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I website and online processes
Ashley Wells-Eubank Business Operations Coordinator
With an eye for detail and processes, Ashley Wells-Eubank assists with the management of ACUHO-I’s internal business processes, including marketing planning, association communications, and graphic design. Contact her to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I website
- Member communication
ACUHO-I Foundation
Laurel Palmer Development Director
An experienced development professional with a rich understanding of higher education, Laurel Palmer leads the ACUHO-I Foundation’s fundraising efforts by nurturing and stewarding relationships with members and instilling best practices to ensure fiscal responsibility. Contact her to learn more about:
- ACUHO-I Foundation
THE Placement Exchange
D’Najah Thomas TPE Director
D’Najah Thomas draws on her service within the campus housing profession and the non-profit sector to serve as director of The Placement Exchange. Along with job placement services, she works to deliver educational resources to help housing and student affairs professionals navigate their career journey. Contact her to learn more about:
- TPE