637 attendees from 350 different institutions (in 46 states, plus Washington DC, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates) took part in the 30th annual CIVSA conference, held May 28-June 1 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. Laura Stansell (University of Tennessee, Knoxville) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Whitney Rollerson (University of Southern California) received the Rising Star Award, La’Tasha Graham (Valencia College) received the Individual Achievement Award, and Paul Hovey (Fairfield University) received the CIVSA Service Award. Foot Awards went to Amanda Beuscher (Lawrence University), Jen Cheng (St. John’s University), David Dominguez (The University of Texas at San Antonio), Terry Jackson (West Virginia University), Emily Stanley (Lasell College), and Amy Watters (Thompson Rivers University). You can browse the conference program book for more information.
CIVSA offers an annual conference each June filled with sessions, discussions, tours, and networking opportunities. Session presentations can be found in the Resources section of the members-only page.
2023 - St. Louis, Missouri
611 attendees from 332 different institutions (in 47 states, plus Washington DC and Canada) took part in the 29th annual CIVSA conference, held June 6-10 at the St. Louis Union Station. La Dawn Duvall (University of California, Berkeley) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Ali Anderson (West Virginia University) received the Rising Star Award, Ashley Mitchell (University of Missouri) received the Individual Achievement Award, and BJ Heidlebaugh (Ohio University) received the CIVSA Service Award. Foot Awards went to Winston Franscini (University of North Texas), Maggie Keene (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Kaylee King (Emerson College), Stella Santos (Champlain College), Catie Taylor (University of Evansville), and Julia Troisi (University of Montana). You can browse the conference program book for more information.
2022 - Orlando, Florida
591 attendees from 329 different institutions (in 46 states, plus Washington DC, Canada, the UK, and Estonia) took part in the 28th annual CIVSA conference, held May 31-June 4 at the Caribe Royale Orlando. Tim Lipman (Emeritus) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Grace Johnson (University of Kentucky) received the Rising Star Award, Chris Benavides (South Texas College) received the Individual Achievement Award, and Megan Adams (University of Louisville) received the CIVSA Service Award. Foot Awards went to Paul Campbell (James Madison University), Stephanie Funderberg (San Jacinto College), Becca Haupt Aldredge (Bucknell University), Katie Holdgreve-Resendez (University of Colorado Boulder), Mike Targonski (Valparaiso University), and Brittany Williams (Georgia State University). You can browse the conference program book for more information.
2021 - Virtual!
564 attendees from 322 different institutions (in 42 states, plus Washington DC, Canada, and the UK) took part in the 27th annual CIVSA conference, held online June 15-18. Ebony Smith (The Ohio State University) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Kelvin Lee (Stanford University) received the Rising Star Award, Heather McFarland (Anne Arundel Community College) received the Individual Achievement Award, and Nicole Levy (Adelphi University) received the CIVSA Service Award. Foot Awards went to Shari Foglesong (Truman University), Jonathan Gonzalez-Montelongo (California State University, San Bernardino), BJ Heidlebaugh (Ohio University), Carnard Johnson (Valencia College), Kacy Rader (Illinois State University), and Tami Tassler (Florida Gulf Coast University). You can browse the conference program book for more information.
2020 –
Regrettably, the 2020 CIVSA Annual Conference had to be canceled for the health and safety of all participants, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
We did still acknowledge the deserving CIVSA Award recipients during our virtual annual business meeting: Natalie Mann (University of Georgia) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Nick Reffuge (University of Pittsburgh) received the Rising Star Award, Jayne Reimel (University of California, Santa Barbara) received the Individual Achievement Award, and Eric Brodsky (Adelphi University) received the inaugural CIVSA Service Award.
2019 – Portland, Oregon
610 attendees from 352 different institutions (in 42 states, plus Washington DC, Canada, the UK, and Guam) took part in the 26th annual CIVSA conference, held June 4-8 in Portland, OR. Karlene Kunigiel (Skidmore College) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Mel Baxter (The University of Texas at Austin) received the Rising Star Award, and Gavin Waits (Illinois Institute of Technology) received the Individual Achievement Award. Foot Awards went to Dominic Abogado (University of Toronto), Jane Clark (New Mexico Highlands University), Katie Koncar (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), Kelvin Lee (University of California, Irvine), Natalie Mann (University of Georgia), and LeAnn Stroupe (University of Missouri). You can browse the conference program book for more information.
2018 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
556 attendees from 306 different institutions (in 40 states, plus Washington DC, Canada, the UK, and China) took part in the 25th annual CIVSA conference, held June 12-16 in Milwaukee. Lindsey Darling (Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Julee Mitsler (High Point University) received the Rising Star Award, and Barbara Loftus (Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey) received the Individual Achievement Award. Foot Awards went to LaDawn Duvall (University of California, Berkeley), Amber Fitzgerald (Suffolk University), Michelle Johnson (Bellarmine University), Ashley McDermott (Louisiana State University), Ethan Penland (University of North Georgia), and Jayne Reimel (University of California, Santa Barbara).
2017 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
566 attendees from 324 different institutions (in 45 states, plus Washington DC, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and Trinidad and Tobago) took part in the 24th annual CIVSA conference, held May 30-June 3 in Philadelphia. Wes Sullivan (California Lutheran University) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Annalise Miyashiro (Vanderbilt University) received the Rising Star Award, and Olivia McGuckin (Randolph-Macon College) received the inaugural Individual Achievement Award. Foot Awards went to Risa Farrell (University of California, San Diego), Terri Franks (University of Georgia), Lisa Furler (St. Edward’s University), Robin Parker (Harvard University), Jael Roschewski (University of Nebraska at Kearney), and Philadelphia Shoop (Flagler College).
2016 – San Diego, California
419 attendees from 243 different institutions (in 43 states, plus Washington DC and 3 Canadian provinces) took part in the 23rd annual CIVSA conference, held May 31-June 3 in San Diego. Jenn McKenzie (Hendrix College) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Taylor Blair (University of Kentucky) received the Rising Star Award, and Foot Awards went to Mel Baxter (The University of Texas at Austin), Lindsey Darling (Merrimack College), Duane Hamilton (Florida Atlantic University), Cindy Harkness (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis), Grace Hartman (Santa Clara University), and Anthony Lamoureux (Northeastern University).
2015 – Nashville, Tennessee
462 attendees from 282 different institutions (in 45 states, plus Washington DC and Canada) took part in the 22nd annual CIVSA conference, held June 3-6 in Nashville, Tennessee. A pdf version of the conference schedule is available. Megan Nassau (American University) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Trent Sandles (Texas Wesleyan University) received the Rising Star Award, and Foot Awards went to Stephen Barnett (University of Kentucky), Kate Gromatsky (University of Arizona), Missy Julian-Fox (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Diana Kyle (The King’s University College), Casey Thomas (Arizona State University), and Cody Washka (Western State Colorado University).
2014 – Chicago, Illinois
378 attendees from 223 different institutions (in 41 states and 2 foreign countries) took part in the 21st annual CIVSA conference, held June 3-6 in Chicago, Illinois. LeAnn Stroupe (University of Missouri) received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Nick Gonzales (University of Wisconsin-Madison) received the Rising Star Award, and Foot Awards went to Jessica Cravens (Texas Tech University), Amanda Hutchinson (Oregon State University), Dee Lambert (The University of Texas at Dallas), Joyce Palmer (University of Washington), Rob Patterson (Middle Tennessee State University), and Trent Sandles (Texas Wesleyan University).
2013 – Alexandria, Virginia
303 attendees took part in the 20th annual CIVSA conference, held June 2-6 in Alexandria, Virginia. Troy Selk received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, Rex Oliver (Texas Tech University) received the inaugural Rising Star Award, and Foot Awards went to Matt Jones (University of Maryland), Kari Kolb (Transylvania University), Morgan Lamborn (University of Florida), John Nesbitt (Vanderbilt University), Ebony Smith (The Ohio State University), and Tela Witherspoon (University of North Carolina-Charlotte).
2012 – Denver, Colorado
226 attendees were at the 19th annual CIVSA conference, held June 4-8 in Denver, Colorado. Janey Wheeler received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, and Foot Awards went to Ashley Bair (University of Maryland), Megan Beresford (Oregon State University), Tamika Bynum (Earlham College), Karlene Kunigiel (Skidmore College), Tim Lipman (Illinois Institute of Technology), and Christine Speicher (University of Kentucky).
2011 – San Antonio, Texas
209 people attended the 18th annual CIVSA conference, held June 6-10 in San Antonio, Texas. Lea Hanson from Colorado State University received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, and Foot Awards went to Evelyn Betancourt-Martinez (University of Texas at San Antonio), Eric Johnson (University of Georgia), Marisol Mandujano (University of Texas at San Antonio), Andrew Parrish (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), Cindy Singley (Auburn University), and Drew Steding (University of Michigan).
2010 – Lexington, Kentucky
149 people attended the 17th annual CIVSA conference, held June 2-6 in Lexington, Kentucky. Donna Bostwick from Florida State University received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, and Foot Awards went to Niki Mendrinos (Temple University), Brittany Monroe (University of Colorado at Boulder), Becky Nemeth (George Mason University), Tiffany Smith (Texas Wesleyan University), Ben Toll (St. Mary’s College of Maryland), and Sarah Walz (George Mason University).
2009 – Boston University
94 people attended the 16th annual CIVSA conference, held June 8-12 at Boston University. Nancy Franco from Yale University received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award, and Foot Awards went to Hailey Ezekiel (College of Charleston), Meg Malmborg (University of Connecticut), Angie Miller (The Ohio State University), Susan Petsko (West Virginia University), Marisol Scheer (University of Texas at San Antonio), and Joe Tiesi (SUNY-Binghamton).
2008 – Cal Poly Pomona
2007 – University of Notre Dame
2006 – American University
2005 – Brigham Young University
2004 – Yale University/University of Connecticut
2003 – University of Nebraska, Lincoln
2002 – Indiana University
2001 – Texas A&M University
2000 – Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
1999 – University of Wisconsin, Madison
1998 – University of South Carolina
1997 – Cornell University
1996 – Colorado State University
1995 – Baylor University
1994 – University of Alabama, Birmingham
2024 – Atlanta, GA
525 people (366 students; 159 advisors) from 114 different institutions in 37 separate states (plus Washington DC) attended the 2024 Student Development Institute at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from 42 different educational session options as well as a keynote speaker, Tom Krieglstein, and 3 meetings of their small discussion group.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars:
Ana Carbajal, Colorado Mesa University
Sam D’Amico, Vanderbilt University
Camren Gaines, Jacksonville State University
Emily Groves, Middle Tennessee State University
Zak Rutsch, Stevenson University
as well as our Most Spirited Individual, Jason Sodikin from the Georgia Institute of Technology and our Most Spirited Institution, Hofstra University! You can browse the SDI program book for more information.
2023 – Denver, CO
501 people (348 students; 153 staff) from 99 different institutions in 36 separate states (plus Washington DC) attended the 2023 Student Development Institute at the Sheraton Denver Downtown in Denver, CO. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from 31 different educational session options and 12 hot topic discussion groups.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars:
Zach Bryant, Catawba College
Renee Gebert, Tarleton State University
Ben Levinson, George Washington University
Cooper Manley, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Zach Young, Colorado State University
as well as our Most Spirited Individual, Thomas Wynne from the University of Colorado Boulder and our Most Spirited Institution, the University of California, Los Angeles! You can browse the SDI program book for more information.
2022 – Washington, DC
278 people (188 students; 90 staff) from 62 different institutions in 26 separate states (plus Washington DC) attended the 2022 Student Development Institute at the Hyatt Regency Washington DC on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from 31 different educational session options and 15 hot topic discussion groups.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars:
Kaitlyn Grigsby, Texas A & M University
Celine Phan,University of Tennessee Knoxville
Gabby Salvia, Colorado Mesa University
Alexia Smith, Stevenson University
Alex Vanev, University of Louisville
…and those to our Most Spirited Institution, the University of Alabama at Birmingham! You can browse the SDI program book for more information.
2021 - Virtual SDI!
1030 people (760 students and 270 staff) from 124 different institutions attended the 2021 virtual Student Development Institute. Attendees learned from 25 educational session options and 20 Hot Topics discussion groups.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Grace Davenport, Georgia State University
Ellis Hodo, University of Redlands
Vheena Villareal, Eastern Michigan University
. . .and others chosen for awards:
Kenton Harvill, University of Tennessee (Trivia-3rd place)
Shira Kerce, Berry College (Scavenger Hunt-Local)
Alyssa Radtke, University of Colorado Boulder (Trivia-1st place)
Kat Shuman, Georgia Southern University (Scavenger Hunt-Campus)
Will Slate, University of Tennessee (Trivia-2nd place)
Vheena Villareal, Eastern Michigan University (Animal Crossing People’s Choice Award)
Congratulations to the SDI Film Festival winners at the University of Tennessee and our Most Spirited Institution, the University of Maryland! You can browse the SDI program book for more information.
2020 – Albuquerque, NM
389 people (274 students; 115 staff) from 89 different institutions in 34 separate states (plus Washington DC) attended the 2020 Student Development Institute in Albuquerque. Attendees learned from 36 educational session options and 14 Hot Topics discussion groups.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Dallas Bush, The University of Tennessee
Shreya Desai, University of Houston
Samantha Hardy, University of Southern California
Brycen Kuenzel, West Virginia University
Sami Leace, James Madison University
Congratulations to the SDI Film Festival winners:
1st place: Middle Tennessee State University for their movie Good Morning Campus Tours
2nd place: University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley for their movie The Office – V Squad
3rd place: Lynn University for their movie Family Matters
…and those who won Spirit Awards: James Madison University (winner) and Xavier University of Louisiana (Honorable Mention). You can browse the SDI program book for more information.
2019 – Birmingham, AL
396 people (114 staff; 282 students) from 88 different institutions attended the 2019 Student Development Institute in Birmingham.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Aaron Anderson, North Carolina A&T State University
Remi Hess, Ferris State University
Taylor Johnson, Troy University
Ramsey Thrasher, University of Southern Mississippi
Adam Weinreb, Skidmore College
Congratulations to the SDI Film Festival winner, Weber State University, and to those who won spirit awards:
Most Spirited Institution Award: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
High Key 80s Vibes: Percie Thompson, Agnes Scott College
Best Dance Moves: Purdue University, Fort Wayne
Most Creative Small Group Pic: Sixteen Candles
2018 – Columbus, OH (The Ohio State University)
355 people from 85 different institutions attended the 2018 Student Development Institute in Ohio. We hope you’ll be among those who attend the January 2019 SDI – location to be announced soon!
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Sarah Giramia, Western Michigan University
Tim Hernandez, University of Northern Colorado
Caleb Logan, Oglethorpe University
Sarah Nodine, Northeastern University
Maribel Sanchez, Wichita State University
You can browse the SDI program book for more information.
2017 – Phoenix, AZ (Arizona State University)
295 people from 70 different institutions attended the 2017 Student Development Institute in Arizona.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Annelise Bogue – Central Washington University
Courtney Brooks – Southeast Missouri State University
Gabrielle Cabangon – University of Houston
Avery Deering-Frank – University of Texas at Arlington
Kyle Fisher – University of Arizona
Frank Heyward – University of California, Irvine
Dan Hurley – Suffolk University
Olivia Imprescia – Southern New Hampshire University
Michael Knoblock – Georgia State University
McKayla Moser – Weber State University
Elizabeth Myers – Presbyterian College
Reena Patrose – Arizona State University, Polytechnic
Franasia Safayan-Greene – Coastal Carolina University
Waleed Shaban – Vanderbilt University
2016 – Boston, MA (Northeastern University)
267 people from 64 different institutions attended the 2016 Student Development Institute in Boston.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Courtney Brown – Northeastern University
Lacey Brown – University of South Carolina
Brian Gil – Georgia State University
Jillian Greenspan – Skidmore College
Kaila Ilyes – West Virginia University
Olivia Johnson – Albion College
Aaron Martez – Florida Institute of Technology
Andrew Taja – University of Tennessee
Julian Taylor – Georgia State University
2015 – Lexington, KY (University of Kentucky and Transylvania University)
215 participants from 51 separate institutions attended the 2015 CIVSA Student Development Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. Educational sessions were divided into the following tracks: Image; Leadership Development and Program Overview; Selection, Training & Evaluation; Special Populations & Events; and Tour Guide Management.
Congratulations to those chosen as SDI All-Stars!
Richard Felty – The Ohio State University
Nate Jones – University of West Georgia
Ashley Mailloux – Transylvania University
Leo Sanchez – University of Arizona
Sidney Sherrill – Georgia Tech University