The K-State Student Union returned from the Associated College Unions International (ACUI) Region II Conference at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with several staff members and student employees recognized with honors and awards. 

Union and Student Creative Services (SCS) employees James Alexander, Megan Murphy, Riley Scott and Jeff White entered and placed in the conference's graphics competition. Alexander earned first place for his Cinco de Mayo design in the poster category. Murphy earned first place in the calendar/schedules category for her International Education Week design. Scott placed second in the brochure category for his Student Programs and Involvement brochure. White, Assistant Director for Creative Services, earned first and second place in the logo and brand identity category for his Willie’s Soda Bar and Wabash at the Union brand designs.

Alongside a slew of design awards, representatives from the Union presented multiple educational sessions at the conference. Scott presented “Campus Marketing for Dummies,” a session focused on providing marketing best practices for ACUI’s professionals in non-marketing fields. Grace Ann Thompson, Assistant Director for Student Leadership and Engagement, presented “Beyond the Event: Creating Campus Experiences Students Return For,” highlighting opportunities and strategies that hook students and keep them returning to engage with student programming. Thompson also served as the Fundraising & Sponsorships chair of the 2026 ACUI Region II Conference Planning Team. Caitlin McCourt, Assistant Director for Student Programs, presented “Join or Die: The Case for Community,” a discussion of the work of Dr. Robert Putnam and how student involvement influences participation, belonging and more.

About ACUI: ACUI’s mission is to support college union and student engagement professionals in their service to students and in the advancement of campus community. To learn more about ACUI, visit acui.org

About SCS: Student Creative Services provides comprehensive brand strategy, design and social media strategies to K-State student organizations, promoting professional excellence, creativity and collaboration among both clients and student staff.

The Union’s mission is to serve all, especially students, with facilities that provide services, programs, leadership experiences and educational opportunities which foster a sense of well-being, belonging and community.