Through the work of the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the Office of Student Living (OSL), Syracuse University will host the 2019 North East Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (NEACURH) Regional Leadership Conference, Friday, Nov. 15, to Sunday, Nov. 17. The University was selected as the host site after RHA’s success at the 2019 Spring Leadership Conference.
Griffin Timm ’20 and Sadia Ahmed ’21—with the support of other RHA members and OSL professional staff—have prepared for the conference since March. Timm, RHA director of programming and senior in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is serving as the NEACURH Leadership Conference Co-Chair. Ahmed, RHA president and junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is serving as the other conference co-chair.
“It’s an honor to represent our University as RHA president as we host a regional conference for NEACURH, especially during the University’s 150th anniversary,” says Ahmed. “While the University celebrates 150 years of impact, RHA is extending our impact and that very legacy to regions beyond Syracuse.”
The conference will bring 300 student leaders from 49 different colleges and universities in the North East. Each year, the host organization selects a theme for the conference and plans events, activities and competitions and that promote leadership, diversity, inclusion, sustainability and more.
“I can’t wait to welcome student leaders to campus to engage in critical conversations around leadership development, social justice and creating an impact on their campuses,” says Mel Molsberry, residence director of Flint Hall and conference chair advisor. “It has been so much fun planning this conference with our team, and I’m looking forward to seeing all their hard work and dedication come to fruition.”
Conference entertainment will include guest pass access to the Barnes Center at The Arch, a special Late Night at the Rink, an a cappella concert, paint night and keynote speaker, Ally Atkinson. Atkinson chaired the 2018 National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) Annual Conference and is currently the coordinator for residence hall operations of Lawrinson and Sadler Halls.
“Our theme for the conference is Moose Jam,” explains Timm. “We drew inspiration from SU’s own Juice Jam and set the theme of our conference around a summer music festival.”
The NEACURH’s regional symbol is a moose.
NEACURH is one of eight regions that make up NACURH. NACURH is the largest student-run corporation in the world, encompassing Residence Hall Association and National Residence Hall Honorary chapters. Every year, there are 17 conferences, including two NEACURH conferences and one national conference that Syracuse RHA leadership are eligible to attend.
For more information on RHA and its leadership, visit the Residence Hall Association website.
