A Journey of Growth, Community, and Connection
As SWACUHO celebrates its 60th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the many ways this organization has shaped my professional identity and personal journey. For me, SWACUHO has never been just a conference, it has been a community, a classroom, and a catalyst for professional growth.
My SWACUHO story began in 2009, when we (University of Central Arkansas) co-hosted the annual conference with Arkansas State University and Arkansas Tech University in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I had the pleasure of serving on the host committee that year, an incredible experience that I still often think about. Being immersed in the behind-the-scenes work that brings a conference to life, from taste-testing meals to justifying particular budget items, the experience gave me a newfound appreciation for the intentionality and collaboration that define SWACUHO. Even then, as someone who identified strongly as a super introvert, I felt welcomed into a professional family that encouraged me to contribute, participate, and, most importantly, grow.
Over the years, SWACUHO has continued to be a meaningful space for me to share my professional thoughts and experiences. It has always been an environment where people celebrate one another’s work, learn together, and collectively elevate the field of housing and residence life. Through presentations, conversations, and committee involvement, I have had countless opportunities to highlight the innovative efforts happening at my home institution. Whether it was showcasing a new initiative, discussing assessment findings, or sharing emerging ideas, SWACUHO provided a platform where our work felt valued and impactful. My engagement deepened through the various committees I had the privilege to serve on, each one offering new avenues to grow, learn, and give back. One of my most favorite roles was serving as the committee chair for the Research, Assessment, and Information Committee.
SWACUHO has also nudged me, sometimes gently, sometimes boldly, out of my introverted comfort zone. For someone who once preferred to remain quietly in the background, this organization has helped me find my professional voice. It encouraged me to present, to lead, to network, and to embrace opportunities I might have once shied away from. Some of the most meaningful professional relationships I have today began at SWACUHO.
One of the most unexpected and exciting opportunities SWACUHO provided was being featured on their podcast to discuss some of my ongoing research. Never would I have imagined that I would be speaking on a podcast about the work I was so passionate about. Yet again, SWACUHO created a space where I felt supported, encouraged, and confident enough to share my voice and my ideas with a wider audience.
Perhaps one of the impacts I’m most proud of, however, is the influence SWACUHO has had on the graduate students we work with at UCA. Over the last 16 years, we have introduced more than a hundred graduate students to the organization, many attending their first professional conference through SWACUHO. Watching these emerging professionals find their footing, make connections, and discover their own professional homes within SWACUHO has been incredibly rewarding. Some of them have continued to stay deeply involved, carving out their own paths of service and leadership within the organization. Knowing that we played a small role in helping them find their professional community is one of the most meaningful legacies of my involvement.
As SWACUHO celebrates six decades of fostering professional development, I feel immense gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunities, the relationships, the lessons, and the space this organization has created for so many of us to learn, lead, and belong.
Here’s to 60 years of growth, and to the countless stories, connections, and moments still to come. SWACUHO has shaped the past and present of my professional journey, and I am excited to see how it continues to inspire and impact the next generation of housing professionals across our region.
UCA Graduate Assistant Residence Coordinator, Kyle McCracken, and me at SWACUHO 2009 (sorry Kyle I had to! LOL)
Dr. Craig Seager
Director of Residence Life at University of Central Arkansas
Kindness, Collaboration, and Growth
On February 24, 1965, one of the most popular songs was “The Name Game” by Shirley Ellis. Which brings me back to my childhood, a silly game that we would play in grade school. Let’s play the SWACUHO Game…
SWACUHO, SWACUHO, bo-bac-uho
Banana-fana fo-fac-uho
Fee-fi-mo-mac-uho
SWACUHO!
What a fun way to think about the 60th anniversary of SWACUHO!
In all honesty, SWACUHO has been my professional home since 1998, and it’s hard not to reflect on just how much this organization has shaped my journey. I still remember walking into my very first conference at Texas A&M as a student leader, wide-eyed, eager, and not entirely sure what to expect. I can’t recall the name of the person who spoke that day, but I’ll never forget his message: be kind to people, especially those who have an influence on your role.
That simple advice stuck with me. Over the years, as I’ve grown in my career, I’ve realized how true it is. My success isn’t just about what I’ve accomplished, it’s deeply connected to the kindness I’ve shown to others: the colleagues who support me, the teams I lead, the students in our halls, and the organizations and institutions that make this work possible.
SWACUHO has been more than a network; it’s been a community that reminds me why relationships matter. Every conference, every conversation, every shared challenge has reinforced that lesson. And honestly, that’s what keeps me coming back year after year…the people, the connections, and the shared commitment to lifting each other up.
When I first started in this field, I looked at the leaders in SWACUHO as absolute legends. These were the people who seemed larger than life, shaping conversations, influencing practices, and setting the tone for what housing and residence life could be. I never imagined I’d have the privilege of getting to know so many of them personally, but I did, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
I think back to folks like Dr. Bob Huss and Kent Sampson, who always made time for my questions when I was just an undergraduate student… and honestly, well beyond those early years. They never made me feel like my questions were too small or my ideas too naïve. Then there were trailblazers like Jill Eckardt, Dan Mizer, and Floyd Hoelting, people who let me pick their brains and offered encouragement when I needed it most.
As I grew in the profession, new voices became part of my circle. Don Yackley, Drew Jahr, and Beth Eppinger quickly became sounding boards for ideas, always willing to listen and challenge me in the best ways. And then there are those relationships that have deepened over time because of SWACUHO: Tanya Massey, Jessica Crabaugh, Laura Palmer, Maggie Guzman, Katy Pelton, and ShaRhonda Maclin. These are folks I don’t just call colleagues; they’re friends, and that bond exists because of this organization.
That’s the magic of SWACUHO. It’s not just about conferences or committees, it’s about the people who invest in you, who share their wisdom, and who remind you that we’re all in this together. Every conversation, every piece of advice, every moment of encouragement has shaped who I am as a professional. And I can tell you this: those connections matter more than anything else.
Now, here’s my challenge to you: get involved. Engage with SWACUHO, not just for what you’ll learn, but for the impact you can make. Volunteer for a committee, mentor a new professional, share your ideas, and bring that energy back to your home institution. The difference you make here doesn’t stop at the conference, it ripples through your campus, your students, and your colleagues. Together, we can keep building a culture of kindness, collaboration, and growth for 60 more years.
Dr. Delton Gordon
Senior Director of Housing and Residential Life at Oklahoma State University
