Sunday, June 8, 2025

This session will feature a student panel providing valuable feedback and insights on improving various non-academic aspects of campus life. The goal is to gather direct input from students about their experiences with auxiliaries, business partners, and essential campus services such as dining, housing, transportation, retail, and events. This discussion will help better align services with students' needs and preferences.

This student panel will provide NACAS WEST attendees with a unique opportunity to hear directly from students about their non-academic experiences and insights into how to improve essential campus services. By addressing the feedback provided by these students, we can work together to enhance student satisfaction, support, and engagement across campuses. We look forward to your participation in this interactive and informative session.

Moderator:

Andy Lachman, Ph.D., UH at Manoa

What do you do when your organization's name and identity no longer reflect its mission, or worse, create confusion or mistrust on campus? You reimagine it from the inside out.

This case study tells the story of how Cal Poly Corporation rebranded to Cal Poly Partners, a transformation built on data, transparency, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Facing low brand awareness and negative perceptions of the term "corporation," the team launched a mission-aligned, emotionally resonant rebrand, with measurable impact.

Speaker: 

Ellen Curtis, Cal Poly Partners

This roundtable will explore how institutions can work more strategically with agri-food sectors to co-create student-centered, sustainable, and cost-effective food programs. Rather than focusing on individual brands, the session brings together leaders from across key sectors—meat, pulses, contract food service—to surface partnership models that can drive systemic change.

Speakers: 

Melissa San Miguel, President, Red Flag U.S. 

Sid Mehta, Founder & Principal, Greenworks,Inc.

Joseph Pearson, CASP, Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises, Central Washington University

Pat Clelland, Resident District Manager, Gonzaga University, Sodexo Campus

David Porter, CEO, Porter Khouw Consulting

This is a campfire style presentation where executive leaders from two Long Beach State University auxiliaries will share how they have functionally merged our two auxiliary organizations under one management team, single administrative units, and shared policies and procedures. This is a major shared services initiative aimed at sustaining both organization for long-term sustainability to the campus. This is a case study style presentation that reviews the goal, process, and status of this initiative.

Speakers: 

Miles Nevin, Cal State Long Beach
Sylvana Cicero, Cal State Long Beach
Cyndi Farrington, Cal State Long Beach

COVID-19 hit Conference and Event Planning (CEP) hard—and for many of us, it’s been a long climb back. In this session, we’ll share a real-world story of how one campus turned a struggling CEP program into a thriving, revenue-generating operation.

Framed around the top five strategies that made the biggest impact, this session will offer practical tips and firsthand examples of what worked (and what didn’t). Whether your CEP function is just getting back on its feet or you're ready to take it to the next level, you'll leave with fresh ideas and actionable steps to help your team not only survive—but truly thrive.

Speaker:

Erin Scherer, Cal Poly Partners

In the spirit of “Rising in the Rockies,” this dynamic education session invites you to explore innovative solutions from a diverse group of Business Partners who are helping auxiliary services professionals rise to meet today’s challenges in higher education. Each Business Partner was randomly selected to address a pressing issue facing auxiliary services—Business Partners could choose issues revolving around operational efficiency and student engagement to sustainability and technology integration. In a fast-paced, 15-minute format, they will showcase how their products or services are designed to ease your workload, enhance campus experiences, and support your department’s success.

Join us for this unique opportunity to hear directly from CSC Service Works, Touchwork and ARO. 

Let’s rise together—one solution at a time.

Monday, June 9, 2025

From cutting-edge culinary concepts to sustainable solutions and student-focused tech, this dynamic session explores the latest trends transforming campus dining. Leaders from multiple institutions will share the bold ideas they've brought to life—and those on the horizon—highlighting how innovation enhances the student experience, drives engagement, and supports institutional goals. Attendees will also gain insight into effective strategies for storytelling: how campus dining teams are communicating their impact to both their communities and the broader higher education landscape. Whether you're looking to spark fresh ideas or amplify your message, this session will offer both inspiration and practical takeaways

Speakers: 

In the spirit of “Rising in the Rockies,” this dynamic education session invites you to explore innovative solutions from a diverse group of Business Partners who are helping auxiliary services professionals rise to meet today’s challenges in higher education. Each Business Partner was randomly selected to address a pressing issue facing auxiliary services—Business Partners could choose issues revolving around operational efficiency and student engagement to sustainability and technology integration. In a fast-paced, 15-minute format, they will showcase how their products or services are designed to ease your workload, enhance campus experiences, and support your department’s success.

Join us for this unique opportunity to hear directly from Touchnet, VitalSource, and Transact.

Let’s rise together—one solution at a time.

As institutions pursue sustainability and nutrition goals, food service leaders face a complex challenge: how to meet climate targets, deliver value to students, and maintain trust in the food served.

This fireside chat will bring together a rancher, a researcher, and a consumer insights expertto explore the evolving role of meat and livestock in sustainable diets. The discussion will span field-level practices, academic research, and consumer perception—drawing from on-the-ground realities, scientific advancements, and fresh data from the Power of Meat 2025 report. 

Structured as a candid, informal conversation, the session invites food service professionals and decision-makers into a dialogue with voices shaping the future of animal-sourced foods.

Is professional certification the key to your success in Auxiliary Services? Can the preparation and achievement of this credential bolster your resilience in our dynamic field? Perhaps you weren't even aware a specialized certification existed! NACAS is an extraordinary organization that offers many resources to assist you in meeting the dynamic challenges we are all facing in a rapidly evolving landscape. Learn more about becoming a Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP).

Speaker: 

Eileen Richey, San Juan College

In today's evolving higher education landscape, campus dining is no longer just about food;it is about creating unparalleled value that enhances the entire campus experience for resident and non-resident students, faculty, and staff alike. With millions of dollars in potential revenue and student satisfaction at stake, institutions must reimagine dining as a strategic catalyst for engagement, retention, and financial sustainability.

Join H. David Porter, Social Architect and President & CEO of Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc., as he unveils the next-generation residential and retail dining strategy that delivers a more compelling and confident value proposition than standalone national, regional, or local brands. A well-executed campus-wide dining strategy offers a superior alternative to off-campus options by:
-Providing social gathering spaces that foster community and encourage collaboration among students and faculty.
-Offering convenient, high-quality food choices that meet diverse dietary and scheduling needs.
- Creating opportunities for informal learning and networking, enhancing student-faculty interactions outside the classroom.
- Strengthening the financial foundation of dining programs by capturing more non-resident revenue.

At this session, attendees will discover how a dynamic, integrated dining experience rooted in SOCIAL ARCHITECTURE can foster unprecedented face-to-face student interactions, enhance emotional well-being, and significantly impact academic success and persistence. This session will challenge institutions to rethink their approach to dining, positioning it as a transformative force that addresses the critical challenges of declining retention rates, low housing occupancy and increasing food and nutrition insecurity. Next-generation dining is more than a convenience; it's an investment in student success, offering value that no outside brand can match. David will share proven strategies that have empowered institutions to create vibrant, socially enriching environments that engage all campus populations, including commuters and faculty leading to stronger financial outcomes and student satisfaction. He will also illustrate how institutions that invest in flexible, value-driven dining options can unlock untapped potential, converting previously disengaged groups into regular users who see campus dining as a core component of their daily routine.

Speakers: 

David Porter, Porter Khouw Consulting
Mike Kosevich, Montana State

In an era of rapidly changing technological advancements, print and mail operations face unique challenges in balancing decades of tradition with the need to modernize processes. This session will explore strategies for navigating change, preserving core values, and embracing innovation. Through presentations, real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants will gain practical tools and techniques to apply in their own operations.

Speakers: 

Elysa Reichert, Gonzaga University
Andy Lachman, Ph.D., CASP, UH at Manoa

Featuring country classics along with all your favorite music genres!

Warm up those vocals, choose your go-to songs, and enjoy an entertaining night with your NACAS West friends.

Wine, beer, light snacks, and fun props will keep the good times rolling!

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Join us for an exciting panel discussion where we delve into the latest trends reshaping auxiliary services in higher education. From financial strategies and technological innovations to student-centric approaches and sustainability initiatives, our expert panelists will share insights and case studies that highlight how institutions are evolving to meet the needs of today's students. Discover how these transformative trends are enhancing campus life and driving the future of higher education. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the cutting-edge developments that are taking auxiliary services beyond the basics!

Speakers:

Jared Ceja, CASP, Cal Poly Pomona

LaNiece Tyree, MPA, CASP, Howard University

Rich Steele, CASP, NACAS 

Moderator: Andy Lachman, Ph.D. CASP- UH at Manoa

In this real-world case study, Cal Poly Partners shares how its traditionally cost-centered General & Administrative units, including Business & Finance and Marketing & Communications, have transformed into value-generating service providers.
This session will unpack how these internal teams expanded their capabilities to support external clients, increased revenue generation through service agreements, and created scalable solutions to meet evolving campus needs, all while staying aligned with the university's mission.

We'll walk through two examples:
-A statewide training institute partnership supported by Business & Finance
- A strategic communications campaign tied to the $70M Kennedy Library renovation

Speaker: 

Ellen Curtis, Cal Poly Partners

By prioritizing staff wellbeing, we can create a more engaged, productive, and resilient workforce. Join this practical session dedicated to enhancing staff wellbeing and development within the ancillary operations at UBC’s Okanagan campus. This presentation will detail the grass roots strategy that began with humble beginnings by a small team of frontline staff and managers more than a dozen years ago that has evolved into a concentrated program to foster a supportive and thriving work environment including nutrition, fitness, mental health support, staff celebration and milestone recognition efforts. Practical tools and strategies will be shared. 

Presenter: Shannon Dunn

In difficult financial times the focus is typically on cost cutting. As ancillary operators we already start from a place of sound fiscal management, which can result in limited opportunities to cut when called up. In this session, efforts made at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus to drive additional revenue through careful investment, data collection and efficiency management in the areas of Parking Services, Food Services, Student Housing and Conference Accommodation will be shared. Attendees are encouraged to come prepared to share their experiences generating revenue and innovation in departmental operations for a broad discussion on opportunities in this Campfire Session.

Speaker: 

Shannon Dunn, UBC Okanagen

In the spirit of “Rising in the Rockies,” this dynamic education session invites you to explore innovative solutions from a diverse group of Business Partners who are helping auxiliary services professionals rise to meet today’s challenges in higher education. Each Business Partner was randomly selected to address a pressing issue facing auxiliary services—Business Partners could choose issues revolving around operational efficiency and student engagement to sustainability and technology integration. In a fast-paced, 15-minute format, they will showcase how their products or services are designed to ease your workload, enhance campus experiences, and support your department’s success.

Join us for this unique opportunity to hear directly from WOWorks USA, Freshens, Ambassador Education Solutions. 

Let’s rise together—one solution at a time.