Talking Stick - July/August 2017 - 41

Roelf Visser Global Initiatives Award

Tracey Mason-Innes
Simon Fraser University

Roelf Visser was instrumental in the formation of the ACUHO-I Southern
Africa Chapter. This award honors campus housing professionals who have
contributed to advancing the strategic initiatives of ACUHO-I and its aims of
becoming a pre-eminent international student housing association.

racey Mason-Innes'
positive and significant
impact internationally in
the lives of students and
in the lives of housing
and student services professionals is
compelling.
Tracey is the director of residence
and housing at Simon Fraser University where she leads a dynamic
team of housing professionals who
develop and implement an integrated and comprehensive service
delivery model and a top notch student experience. She has also served
as president for the Residence Life
Professional Association. In 2016 she
was part of a team of four professionals that developed the Canadian
Association of College and University
Student Services-Student Affairs and
Services Competency model.
Her formal contributions to ACUHO-I
have included serving as the Canadian district representative, chair of
the Global Initiatives Network, and
a faculty member for the James C.
Grimm National Housing Training
Institute. She has presented numerous times at the ACUHO-I Annual
Conference & Exposition and is
routinely sought after to facilitate at
the conference and to participate in
discussions to offer a perspective
from a non-U.S. member of the
Association. Informally at the conference and throughout the year she is
very intentional about encouraging

non-U.S. members to contribute to
ACUHO-I.
She is known to be a mentor
and role model. People seek her out,
and she equally seeks out people
to contribute. This often involves
encouraging individuals to overcome
any hesitation they may have about
stepping out into a larger arena, the
international professional association ACUHO-I.
Throughout her career she has
consistently connected ideas, concepts, and people whether she is at
Simon Fraser University or contributing to various professional and academic communities. When she does

this, it is clear that she is genuinely
focused on the interests and development of others. This includes her
contributions to furthering strategic
initiatives of ACUHO-I and its aims
of becoming a pre-eminent international association.
Diane Rawlings, from the University of Windsor, states, "Throughout
her career, Tracey has immersed
herself in the numerous professional
development opportunities offered
by ACUHO-I. Starting from her early
days as a residence counsellor to
her current role as a CHO, Tracey has
amassed a wealth of knowledge and
experience."

What is the first memory that jumps into your mind when you
think about your career in campus housing?
I was first introduced to student housing while living in residence and studying
at the University of Vermont. One night, I was handed a pager by the resident
assistant who told me she was leaving and she thought I would make a good
RA.

When do you first remember being aware of ACUHO-I, and
why did you get involved with the Association?
I was new to student housing and working in family housing. My supervisor
and mentor, Dima Utgoff, thought that I would enjoy attending the apartments
conference that ACUHO-I hosted in 1998. Dima also encouraged me to run for
the Canadian district rep position on the Executive Board.

How would you describe ACUHO-I while using only six words?
Dynamic, intuitive, energetic, helpful, innovative, friendly.

2017 ACUHO-I WALL of HONOR
July + august 2017

Talking Stick - July/August 2017

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