Our Mission & Values
Experiences enriched. Environments evolved. Expectations exceeded.
Leadership. To advance and transform campus environments worldwide.
Founded in 1969 as the National Association of College Auxiliary Services, NACAS is the largest auxiliary services support organization serving higher education.
Our membership includes 4-year and 2-year colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and around the world. NACAS provides extensive opportunities for members to share ideas, develop business solutions, enhance programs and revenues, and develop meaningful professional relationships.
Our Mission
To advance campus experiences that enrich the quality of life for students, and that provide sustainable institutional resources to support student success and the academic mission of our members’ institutions.
Our Mantra
Solutions. To enrich experiences and quality of life for students.
Resources. To inform our members’ decisions on campus transformation.
Counsel. To build our Business Partners’ brands within campus communities.
Innovation. To improve the financial health of higher education institutions.
Leadership. To advance and sustain campus environments worldwide.
Our Values
NACAS’ core values – essential and enduring principles that guide the association.
Integrity – We are committed as an association and a profession to the highest standards of managing in a professional and trustworthy manner, remembering that character is what you do when no one is watching.
Leadership – We inspire a compelling vision of the future and a sense of innovation among our members by providing the resources that enable them to anticipate and satisfy the needs of the institutions they serve. We encourage them to embrace imaginative and unique solutions, to think outside the box, and to seek creative solutions to challenges.
Adaptability – We are dynamically responsive to the environment; courageous: having strength in the presence of uncertainty.
Excellence – We strive to provide quality service, innovation and value. We focus on operational quality, service, innovation and value in a competitive environment; responsiveness to service and product needs of all constituencies.
Inclusiveness – We embrace diversity and professionals at all levels, from every walk of life, treating every member as special and included, no matter how large the association grows. We also recognize and respect the diversity of our members’ institutions, whether large or small, public or private. We are committed to ensuring all members have access to all levels and resources of the association.
Respect – We value all opinions, backgrounds, and perspectives within the higher education community. We are inclusive and value the diversity of our stakeholders.
Community – We value collaboration and community, and the social connections and engagement gained through member interactions and connections.
A brief history of NACAS
At the 2013 NACAS Annual Conference Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr was honored with a new NACAS award in his name and a proclamation declaring October 27, 2013 to be officially recognized as Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Day. After the presentation, Dr. Lassiter gave a brief history of the founding of NACAS.
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NACAS Foundation
Through generous support of members and business partners, the NACAS Foundation is able to fund professional development and leadership opportunities of NACAS members as they enhance higher education by utilizing the latest in campus services. Learn More