Future of the Profession

A forward-looking initiative to design a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable campus housing profession.

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ACUHO-I Staff

Here to help you make campus home.

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.
Chief Operating Officer

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 MBA from The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business, 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.

Brad Nelson, MBA
Chief Financial Officer

Brad Nelson provides financial oversight and strategies, development of operational policies, manages IT operations infrastructures, and ensures the maintenance of current projects and technology systems. He provides support and is a resource to the Association and Foundation Boards of Directors, Finance and Audit Committees, staff, and volunteer leaders.

Nelson joins ACUHO-I with a wealth of accounting and finance experience, most recently serving as CFO for Hopewell Health Centers in southeast Ohio. Prior to that he held corporate finance and leadership roles with Mayo Clinic and Cardinal Health. He is also an adjunct accounting professor with Franklin University.

Nelson earned a Master of Business Administration degree from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from Cedarville University.

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 Alexis about:

  • Live-In Symposium
  • One Symposium
  • One Institute
  • Networks
  • Related volunteer committees

Alyssa Foster, Educational Program Coordinator

Prior to joining the association, Alyssa Foster served as an Administrative Associate in the College of Pharmacy and worked in Residence Life as a Hall Director at The Ohio State University. Alyssa earned her bachelor’s degree from Hiram College and her master’s degree from Kent State University. For ACUHO-I, she coordinates a number of in-person and virtual events while also being staff liaison for some volunteer networks and opportunities. Contact Alyssa about:

  • Academic Initiatives Conference
  • Mid-Level Leadership Institute 
  • Small College Symposium & Network
  • Live-In Symposium & Network 
  • Volunteer Leader Recruitment Drive 

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 Spencer about:

  • 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 Emily about:

  • ACUHO-I Core Curriculum
  • Senior Housing Institute
  • Related volunteer committees
  • ACUHO-I / APPA Facilities Management Conference

ACUHO-I Online Learning

Lynda Wiley, Ed.D., Director of Online Learning

Lynda Wiley 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 Lynda about:

  • Reslife.Net
  • Student Affairs Education Certification
  • Online courses

ACUHO-I Publications

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 James about:

  • Talking Stick magazine
  • The Journal of College & University Student Housing
  • Online community
  • 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 Camille about:

  • ACUHO-I Bookstore
  • Journal of College & University Student Housing
  • Talking Stick magazine
  • Related volunteer committees

ACUHO-I Research

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 Tori about:

  • Campus Housing Index
  • Funded Research Grants
  • ACUHO-I Standards
  • Related volunteer committees

ACUHO-I 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 Megan 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 Mandy 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 Heaven about:

  • Industry partner membership
  • Advertising in publications and online outlets
  • Conference exhibiting

Finance

Patricia Arias Staff, Accountant

Patricia Arias brings more than two decades of accounting experience to ensure that ACUHO-I’s financial transactions comply with all relevant regulations and reporting requirements, as well as internal governance and management policies. Contact Pati about:

  • Accounts payable and receivable
  • WACUHO finances

Jody Whetstone, Account Clerk

Jody Whetstone draws on a wealth of financial expertise and a commitment to proficiency in her work with ACUHO-I’s finance and accounting policies and procedures. Contact Jody about:

  • Accounts payable and receivable

Business Operations

Vicki Moore, Logistics Coordinator

Vicki Moore ensures that all the details are covered and that volunteers and staff are in the right place at the right time for ACUHO-I projects and meetings. Contact Vicki about: 

  • Executive team support
  • Meeting planning
  • Association logistics

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 Ashley about:

  • Website and online processes
  • Marketing and communications

IT

Kimberly Teeple, Technical Solutions Manager

Kimberly Teeple manages ACUHO-I’s technical solutions and platforms, including the association management systems and various hosting environments. Her attention to detail and member-focused processes help maximize the member experience. Contact Kim about:

  • Association database
  • Technical operations

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 Laurel about the 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 D’Najah about The Placement Exchange.

Shape the future of campus housing. Discover the benefits of ACUHO-I membership.

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