Countess Hughes

 Emory University

It is a privilege to be nominated for the SEAHO Treasurer position.  I have been a part of SEAHO since 1992 and have been involved in a variety of ways.  I have been active in the region as a program presenter, SEAHO program committee, RELI faculty, SEAHO Program Committee Chair, and currently as the treasurer for the SEAHO 2013 conference host committee. During the past year as a member of the host committee I have gained valuable insight into conference preparations and how the funding for SEAHO works.

I am currently the Assistant Director of Residence Life Operations at Emory University. Prior to working at Emory I was the Associate Director of Housing at Georgia State University.  I have also worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of West Virginia, and American University.

If elected to the Treasurer position I would work closely with the leadership team to continue to maintain the financial viability of the organization.  I would share the financial status and operating budgets with the membership.  I would also like to be clear and timely with reimbursements and communication concerning the budget.   Thank you for considering me for this critical role.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Donna McGalliard

 Wake Forest University

Professional History:

My story - I am one of those folks that "fell into housing” while an undergraduate student.  As a resident assistant at NC State University, I realized that this was the field for me and my academic major was only going to be what was typed on my diploma!  I continued my love of housing as a hall director at Greensboro College while also pursuing my masters’ degree at University of North Carolina – Greensboro.  Florida State University was the next stop in my journey and while completing my doctorate, I worked for the Florida Board of Regents office, the general administration for the state university system.  After nine straight years of schooling, I began my professional career in 1997 as the Director of Residence Life at a small, private, religiously affiliated college in NC, Catawba College.  

Coming to Wake Forest University in June 2000 as the Associate Director of Residence Life afforded me many opportunities to expand my experiences and knowledge of small, private universities.   Through hard-work and a dedication to tasks and responsibilities, I was promoted from Associate Director of Residence Life to Director of Residence Life to Dean of Residence Life and Housing within the span of 9 years.  

I learned from a variety of mentors over the years that the best things you can do for yourself personally and professionally are to read everything you can, engage in discussions with colleagues, keep open lines of communication with those around you (whether you report to them or they to you) and work collaboratively to make informed choices, but know when to make a final decision.  And probably the best advice of all – connect with your professions’ association and be involved!  In so doing, I would be honored to serve, if elected, as your next Treasurer.          

Housing Association Experience:

• Regional Entry-Level Institute Co-Chair, SEAHO (Furman University, June 2009- June 2010, Duke University, June 2011)          
• North Carolina Housing Officers Host Committee Chair 2008         
• National Housing Training Institute Faculty, ACUHO-I, (University of Maryland, June 2008, University of Georgia, June 2012                                      
• Regional Entry-Level Institute Faculty, Furman University, June 2008          
• SEAHO 2006 Host Committee – Chair, Meals Committee, February 2006          
• SEAHO 2014 Host Committee – Chair, Meals Committee, February 2014 

Goals:

As Treasurer, I will continue to uphold the expectations set for this position and would do so with a passion for results-driven work and collaborative effort for our profession and association.  It would be my goals to:

• Continually assess the overall health of the organization, both fiscally and with regard to our mission and vision.
• Survey the membership to determine needs of the organization and individual members and assess how to financially support those needs.
• Monitor the activities of the SEAHO budget with an eye toward efficiency and good financial stewardship.