Today@Sam Article

Assistant Vice President Of Auxiliary Services Recognized By National Organization

Dec. 16, 2022
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

The National Association of Campus Auxiliary Services (NACAS), a professional trade association supporting the non-academic aspects of higher education, recently held its latest conference in Las Vegas. At this meeting, Kristy Vienne, Sam Houston State University’s assistant vice president of auxiliary services, was awarded the Innovative Achievement in Auxiliary Services Award and elected to the national organization’s board of directors.

Vienne was nominated for the award by her peers, who sought to have her efforts recognized for implementing the Bearkat Bundle, SHSU’s all-encompassing textbook rental program.

“Since we’ve implemented this program, hundreds of campuses across the U.S. are exploring or implementing similar programs,” Vienne said. “We are one of the leading innovators to develop the program and work with students to provide it, so now it’s becoming more mainstream, but we were one of the first if not the largest institution at the time to move forward with what they call an inclusive access textbook program.”

Vienne nacas picture Social mediaNominees and the program or services they completed had to adhere to the following criteria:

  • Must be imaginative/unique in quality
  • Demonstrate documented enhancement of customer service
  • Demonstrate generation of additional revenue or reduction of costs
  • Provide adaptability for other institutions
  • Presentation quality

While attending the conference, Vienne presented on the Bearkat Bundle and provided information on how to implement similar programs. Vienne was also elected as a member at large of the board of directors, a recognition of her leadership at SHSU and NACAS. As part of her duties, she will be the chairwoman of committees and oversee all committees within NACAS.

“Having a seat at the table with very prestigious institutions and key figures around the nation allows me to work with them to form programs and processes and work with key vendors,” Vienne said. “But more importantly, the board provides a great support system that allows me to work and serve the association while building social capital that ensures Sam Houston is staying ahead of the trends and is being proactive.”

As a member of the board of directors, Vienne will work alongside other auxiliary service professionals from universities across the U.S. and Canada. Even though she was providing instruction and information at this latest meeting, Vienne says she always learns something new from the association and looks forward to working closer with fellow industry leaders.

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