Talking Stick - November/December 2018 - 8

VISION

Turn the Page
We live our lives like we read a book: one chapter at a time. Each chapter sets the
stage for the ones to come, and we read on with only the slightest idea of what the
next page may bring. As I near the end of more than seven years of service on the
ACUHO-I Executive Board, I've found myself thinking about this more and more.
And, just like when reading a great book, I'm going to be sad to see the cover close
on this experience.
I'm sure my predecessors on the board have said similar things,
but these years with the Executive Board truly have been the most
rewarding of my career. From the time I started on the board as the
Inclusion and Equity Director through these most recent years as
part of the president's cycle, I've served alongside a chorus of incredible professionals. If I were to list all these individuals and the fond
memories I associate with them, I could fill a year's worth of Talking
Stick. Instead, I will offer a collective thank you to all those amazing
people. Please know that you lifted me up as we collaborated, and you made me stronger and smarter as we debated -
always respectfully and from a shared desire to improve our
SO
association and our field.

I HAVE
WITNESSED
MANY AMAZING
ACHIEVEMENTS
DURING THIS
TIME, SUCH
AS GROWING
MEMBERSHIP
ROLLS, A
REINVIGORATED
FOCUS ON
ADVANCING
PROFESSIONALS,
AND THE
INTRODUCTION
OF NEW
INITIATIVES . . .

I hope that I have left ACUHO-I in better condition
than I found it. I have witnessed so many amazing achievements during this time, such as growing membership
rolls, a reinvigorated focus on advancing professionals, and
the introduction of new initiatives such as the State of the
Profession event and Mid-Level Leadership Institute. While
on the board and throughout my career, it has been my
primary mission to ensure that our halls, our campuses,
our association, and our profession represent everyone. It is
something I passionately feel in my head, my heart, and my
soul. To that end, I'm so excited to know that the incoming
board will be one of the most diverse in our association's
history. In addition, alongside next January's Talking Stick
you will find a special publication focused on professionals
of color. It will provide a dedicated look at how professionals of color have succeeded within the campus housing
profession and the important role they can play in support
of a rapidly changing student demographic. It is just a taste
of other strategic initiatives that will come to fruition in the
near future.
Yes, this chapter is coming to a close, and I've enjoyed
almost every word along the way, but my story and that of
ACUHO-I are far from over. So, rather than end this message
with a goodbye, let me instead offer you all my thanks for the
opportunity to serve and a heartfelt "to be continued . . ."
Deb Schmidt-Rogers

8

TALKING STICK

ACUHO-I President

 Dschmi6@luc.edu

 @DSchmidtRogers

 Deb Schmidt-Rogers

TALKING STICK
Symbol of International
Friendship
Talking Stick magazine
takes its name from the
symbol of international
friendship presented
to ACUHO-I in 1973 by
the Ohiat Band of the
British Columbia Indian
Nation. The talking stick,
or speaker's staff, is
hand carved, and the
inscription explains, "It is
a sign of authority carried
when proclamations
are to be made or a
meeting of chiefs is in
session. It is a token
of common heritage
both to Canadians and
Americans."

ON THE
COVER

Be well. It's a
sentiment that we are
taking more seriously
these days, and
more campuses are
putting words into
action by formalizing
physical space
and communities
intended to boost
student well-being.
Read more about it in
the facilities story on
page 28.
Photo credit:
Jane Messinger
Talking Stick - November/December 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2018
