Attendees at the 1995 CIVSA conference at Baylor University

A History of Excellence

Although campus information and visitor services programs at institutions of higher education stretch back to the establishment of the Campus Information Office at Boston University in 1925, a professional identity did not begin to develop until the mid-1980s. The first known meeting of professionals in the field was held at Purdue University in 1986 and the group grew to include 15 members by 1990. They had informally been named “U-VIPs” but voted to be named the National Collegiate Visitor Services Association (NCVSA) and began to form a loosely-organized structure, coordinated through the newly-established visitor center at the University of Maryland-College Park.

After a few years of slow but steady growth, the first national conference of NCVSA was held at the University of Alabama – Birmingham in 1994 with 25 members in attendance. By the second conference in June 1995, it was clear the association needed to broaden its scope and was renamed the Collegiate Information and Visitor Services Association (CIVSA). This name better recognized the broad membership of individuals and programs that provide “gateway” services to their campus communities.

In the years that followed, CIVSA officers and members dedicated themselves to increasing the legitimacy of the campus information and visitor services field. As the organization increased its visibility in the world of higher education, much thoughtful planning went into behind-the-scenes development as well. CIVSA’s first National Headquarters was established at Rutgers University in 1997. CIVSA officially incorporated as a non-profit association in 2010 and established a headquarters independent of a college campus. CIVSA Headquarters moved to Lexington, Kentucky, in 2015, where it remains today.  A listing of CIVSA’s former executive officers is also available.

An important development for CIVSA was being offered membership in the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) in 1998, followed by the significant milestone of having CAS approve Campus Information and Visitor Services Standards and Guidelines in 2000. 

The CIVSA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Operations Manuals, a formal annual budget and the Strategic Plan, all updated regularly, lead the elected Executive Board of the Association. Many other Committees and Leadership Teams have been developed to support the mission of the Association and all member institutions. The Association has a clearly defined mission, vision, core values.  In 2020, these guiding principles grew to also include our statement of non-discrimination.  

The ever-growing organization reached 400 members in Spring 2011, 800 members in Spring 2015, and achieved a milestone in November 2016, when membership hit 1,000 individuals! As CIVSA’s membership grew exponentially, the Association continued to expand the benefits provided to its members. As more institutions increased their commitment to the visitor and information experience, the Association benefitted by gaining new minds and experience in its members. Members now connect and share resources with one another through social media, regional chats, virtual connections including webinars, a listserv, and the Welcomer newsletter, in addition to in-person opportunities including the Student Development Institute, regional events, and the Annual Conference. Members may also select to be a part of the Mentorship and Internship Programs – both of which enhance and advance professionals in higher education and visitors’ services areas.

The Annual Conference continues with steady growth in participant numbers – from its small roots held on a college campus in just a few classrooms, the Annual Conference now rotates through a different conference rotation zone each year to maximize the ability for members to attend and is held at a hotel/conference center rather than on a campus to accommodate the large number of participants. In 2021, when the uncertainty of the pandemic was still a concern for colleges and travel policies were limited, some of the best event planners in the country pivoted the entire annual conference to a virtual event. 564 attendees engaged in the online format and networked with each other via presentations, small group discussions, and keynote speaker chats.

The first CIVSA conference designed for student employees, now known as the Student Development Institute, was held at Furman University in January 2014. This unique opportunity for students involved in the campus visit experience to network and connect with other institutions has continued every year, including virtually in 2021. Nearly 2,500 students, some who are now CIVSA members as professionals, have attended SDI.

The exponential growth of CIVSA events, including Annual Conference, SDI, and regional events, led the Association to create the Conference and Events Manager position in July 2017. The need for this professional position was strong as managing all of the logistics and programming for Association events became taxing on individual members.

Today the organization continues to thrive and assist professionals and students working in the information and visitor services areas at college campuses across the world. The connections made through CIVSA are not a one-time assistance relationship, but rather a career-long fulfillment of an organization of members who are willing to share and support their peers in providing the best possible service to their constituents.  

READY TO JOIN CIVSA?

Over 1600 individuals are currently enjoying membership in the Collegiate Information and Visitor Services Association. You can too!