Eastern Connecticut State University’s Office of Student Activities received several recognitions at the annual conference of the National Association for Campus Activity (NACA), held Oct. 30-31 in Hartford. The Eastern representatives also participated in educational sessions, workshops, technology demonstrations and other interactive programs.  

Recognized for their work over the past year, the Campus Activity Board (CAB) received two awards, including Best Apparel Item and Best Video or Animation. Each year CAB creates shirts for their Fall Fest, with this year's theme being “Willi’s Lodge.” The winning video was a showcase of footage from past fall semester events.  

Nicole Healy, graduate intern for the Office of Student Activities, received the M. Kevin Fahey Graduate Assistant Award. In order to be considered for this award, interns must demonstrate significant leadership skills, serve as a role model for student leaders, and display support for students at their institution. 

“I am truly honored and humbled to have been chosen as this year’s recipient, and it has validated that I am pursuing a career doing what I am most passionate about-- serving students,” said Healy. “I could not have earned this honor without the support and encouragement of my supervisors and fellow graduate interns in Student Activities.”

Director of Student Activities Candace DeAngelis won the Donald L. McCullough Award. This honor recognized a member of an institution who has made a strong contribution through volunteer roles over the past five years. The member must also exemplify standards of professional integrity, achieve stature in professional or academic pursuits, is respected by colleagues and has worked to enhance the field of student activities. 

Several Office of Student Activities staff also presented at the conference. Director of New Student and Family Programs Casey Kensey and Assistant Director of Student Activities Alyssa Duffy presented an educational session titled, “So You’re a Student Leader, What’s Next?” In this presentation, the two directors discussed how to pitch yourself as a leader for networking and interview opportunities. 

“Be sure to tell your story,” advised Duffy. “Remember that not everyone may understand the role that you took on as an e-board member or programmer. Make sure that you are specific and provide examples.” 

Kensey served as the conference chair for the event and is also a member of the NACA Northeast Regional Leadership Team. Both Duffy and Graduate Intern Roland Galvez volunteered at the event, participating in sub-committees and on-site work at the conference.  

Members of Eastern’s Campus Activity Board (CAB) also presented at the conference, showing their events hosted over the past year as an example of “Excellence in Programming.” Some of the events highlighted included a Virtual Cooking Class and DIY Holiday Bash in November 2020, the Staycation Week event in March 2021 and CAB’s most recent collaboration with Chartwell’s Food Service at the Vendor Fair in September 2021 on the Student Center Patio. 

The NACA impacts universities nationwide, aiming to promote campus life and student activities. To learn more, visit https://www.naca.org/About/Pages/Default.aspx