SWACUHO Executive Board Convenes for 2026 Mid-Year Meeting

The SWACUHO Mid-Year Meeting  brought together the 2027 Host Committee, Corporate Partnerships, Program Committee, and Executive Board for two days in Rogers, Arkansas. These teams conducted a site visit, reviewed and slated programs, heard and provided various updates, had strategic conversations, and made decisions focused on strengthening the association's future.

Throughout the meeting, we discussed progress and needs with committees, identified emerging opportunities for member engagement, examined the association's long-term financial sustainability, and advanced several initiatives that will help shape SWACUHO's future involvement and direction.

Committee and Initiative Highlights

Annual Conference Planning Continues to Advance

The Host, Program, and Corporate Partnerships committees shared significant progress toward the 2027 Annual Conference in Northwest Arkansas. Conference planning continues to move forward on schedule, with program sessions nearing completion, sponsorship opportunities expanding, and conference logistics being finalized. The conference will feature a strong variety of educational sessions, dedicated networking opportunities, wellness-focused spaces, and enhanced engagement with corporate partners. Tuesday Night on the Town is sure to be a core SWACUHO memory! 

Communications Expands Member Outreach

The Communications Committee reported continued success in maintaining consistent association messaging and supporting SWACUHO initiatives. Discussions also centered on reimagining the SWACUHO Digest, consolidating duplicated existing communication efforts with the goal of providing members with information about all the activities, events, and opportunities available to them.

ACUHO-I Foundation and Fundraising Efforts

The ACUHO-I Foundation Regional Representative, Jill Eckardt, shared plans to host the Silent Auction at the Annual Conference. Funds raised from the Silent Auction go to the Bob Cooke Endowment, supporting scholarships to attend various conferences. If you are interested in donating an item to the Silent Auction, please contact Jill Eckardt at jeckardt@twu.edu. 

Graduate and Entry-Level Leader Development

The Graduate and Entry-Level Steering Committee (GELS) continues to focus on professional development opportunities for emerging professionals. Planning is already underway for future SWACUHO-U programs, with conversations centered on identifying host sites earlier, expanding communication efforts, and creating more sustainable leadership transitions within the committee structure. If you are interested in hosting the 2027 SWACUHO U, please reach out to graduateandentrylevel@swacuho.org. 

Corporate Partnerships Growth

The Corporate Partnerships Committee proposed updates to sponsorship structures to create clearer partnership levels and additional value for SWACUHO’s corporate partners. The Executive Board approved moving forward with increased sponsorship tiers, positioning SWACUHO to generate additional support for future programs and member services.

Awards & Recognition Progress

The Awards and Recognition Committee continues preparations for annual awards, namesake recognitions, and member recognition programs. The Board also engaged in discussion regarding future namesake nomination processes to ensure broad member participation while appropriately honoring the history and contributions of individuals who have shaped the association. The SHINE recognition program continues to be successful, already recognizing 38 members for a variety of reasons. If any of your staff are graduating with a masters or doctoral degree in December, please submit their name to receive a resolution of commendation from the Executive Board.

Research, Assessment, and Information

The Research, Assessment, and Information Committee reported progress on standardizing assessment practices and benchmarking opportunities to better evaluate SWACUHO programs and services. The committee will continue serving as a resource for collecting and sharing data that informs decision-making and improves member experiences. 

Mid-Level and Professional Development Opportunities

The Mid-Level Committee continues planning for future Mid-Level Summit experiences while maintaining regular virtual roundtable opportunities. Committee leaders explored potential host sites and partnerships that will support meaningful professional development for current and aspiring housing leaders. If you are interested in serving as a host site for the Mid-Level Summit, please reach out to midlevel@swacuho.org. 

Public Policy and Resource Development

Public Policy leadership outlined their plan to deliver educational resources detailing the legislative processes in each of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the coming months. 

Major Executive Board Outcomes

Financial Sustainability and Reserve Planning

A significant portion of the Mid-Year Meeting focused on developing long-term financial philosophies related to reserves and conference surplus funds. The Board discussed strategies to ensure financial stability during unforeseen challenges while also creating opportunities to invest in strategic initiatives that directly benefit members. Discussions resulted in draft reserve and surplus philosophies that will continue to be refined and shared with the membership in the coming month(s). 

Travel Grant and Conference Investment

In accordance with the draft conference surplus policy, the Executive Board approved allocating $10,000 from the association's FY2026 surplus to expand travel grant opportunities and $10,000 to support enhancements for the 2027 Annual Conference. 

Non-Profit Task Force Recommendation

The Executive Board reviewed a recommendation report created by SWACUHO’s Non-Profit Task Force, led by Delton Gordon (Oklahoma State University). The Board accepted their recommendation to explore creating a legally separate 501(c)(3) sister organization foundation structure. The task force will continue legal and financial due diligence before bringing additional recommendations and implementation details back to the Board for consideration.

Membership Growth and Engagement

Executive Board discussions included strategies for reaching non-member institutions, supporting smaller schools, and increasing membership engagement across the region. Conversations examined state-level outreach efforts, discretionary funding opportunities, and ways to strengthen connections with institutions currently outside the association.

Exploring Additional Texas Representation

The Board continued discussions regarding the potential addition of a second Texas State Director position. Rather than advancing an immediate proposal, leaders agreed to gather additional feedback from members before determining whether a formal constitutional proposal should move forward for member vote at the Annual Conference. 

Looking Ahead

Several important conversations will continue throughout the year, including reserve and surplus policies, conference host structure discussions, and the future of state-level representation. The Executive Board remains committed to gathering member feedback and ensuring transparency as these discussions evolve. 

Upcoming Member Engagement Opportunities

As a follow-up to Mid-Year discussions, the Executive Board identified several important next steps designed to gather member input and continue advancing association priorities:

• Reserve and surplus handbook entries will be shared with the SHO listserv to close the loop on conversations initiated during the SHO Workshop and provide additional context regarding the Board's financial philosophy discussions.

• Executive Board is hosting a virtual Town Hall on November 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., open to all members. The town hall will provide membership with updates on several business items, including reserve and surplus philosophies, recommendations from the Non-Profit Task Force, and discussions surrounding potential Texas State Director expansion. The Town Hall will be structured in two parts:

• • 11:00 am – Noon: Topic presentations, updates, and facilitated membership discussion.

  • Noon – 1:00 pm: Open, informal discussion and opportunities for additional questions and conversation. Members are welcome to come and go as their schedules allow.

• Following the Town Hall, state roundtables will provide opportunities for more focused conversations regarding state-specific concerns, needs, and feedback. 

• Member feedback gathered through the Town Hall and roundtables will be reviewed during the December and January Executive Board meetings to determine whether a proposal related to additional Texas representation should advance to the Annual Conference business agenda for member vote.

The Mid-Year Meeting highlighted the tremendous work being accomplished across committees and reaffirmed SWACUHO's commitment to SWACUHO’s members. As planning continues for 2027 and beyond, members can look forward to additional opportunities to provide feedback, participate in discussions, and shape the future of the association.

Questions or Ideas?

Reach out to your State Director if you would like more information about anything mentioned here!

Arkansas State Director
Leanna Payton
Henderson State University
arkansas@swacuho.org

Oklahoma State Director
Whitney Arbaugh
Northeastern State University 
oklahoma@swacuho.org

Texas State Director
Nicholas Brown
East Texas A&M University
texas@swacuho.org