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| 17 Oct 2026 | |
| Written by ShyAnte'e Williams | |
| General |
When higher education professionals gather for a conference, the experience often extends well beyond the sessions, presentations, and professional connections. Conference attendees explore new cities, discover local restaurants, build relationships with colleagues, and create memories that last long after they return home. But what if the experience also included an intentional effort to give something back to the community that made those memories possible?
For the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA), that question is at the heart of its new Community Impact initiative.
As SACSA prepares for its 76th Annual Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, November 1–3, 2026, the Community Impact Subcommittee is organizing a service project to support students at Carolina High School. Through donations of personal hygiene products, nonperishable food, and clothing, the initiative seeks to address basic needs that can affect students’ daily lives and educational experiences.
For Taryn Neal of Vanderbilt University’s Office of Student Organizations, Leadership and Service, who chairs the subcommittee, the initiative reflects an opportunity to reconsider how a professional association engages with the communities it visits.
“When attending conferences, one of the first things we often look into is what is happening in the city, including dining options during our free time, excursions, and similar activities,” Neal explained. “I believe this subcommittee presents an excellent opportunity to give back, as the cities consistently provide us with so much.”
Rather than viewing Greenville simply as the setting for this year’s conference, the committee is approaching the city as a community with which SACSA can build a meaningful connection.
The decision to support a local high school emerged from conversations among committee members about how SACSA could make a tangible difference during its time in Greenville. As an association dedicated to higher education and student affairs, members saw an opportunity to support students before they reach college and to demonstrate that student success begins with more than academic preparation.
The committee identified Carolina High School as its community partner. According to information shared with Neal, the school has identified a need for essential supplies for students in grades nine through twelve.
The requested donations include toiletries, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, lotion, mouthwash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, nonperishable food, and clothing such as hoodies and leggings.
The school makes hygiene products available to students in restroom baskets and operates a school store where students can shop on Fridays for $1. These resources provide students with access to necessities while helping to address needs that might otherwise go unmet.
For Neal, the project connects directly to a philosophy familiar to student affairs professionals: “Maslow before Bloom.”
The concept underscores the relationship between basic needs and learning. Students who are concerned about access to clean clothing, personal hygiene products, or food may have difficulty focusing on the classroom. Addressing those needs can help reduce some of the burdens students carry throughout the school day.
“We want to help students see why higher education matters and find meaningful ways to give back beyond simply showing up for college fairs or similar events,” Neal said. “We care about their overall well-being.” That distinction is central to the initiative.
For committee members, the significance of the initiative extends beyond collecting and distributing supplies. It also reflects a shared belief that service is most meaningful when it responds to real needs and recognizes the experiences of the people being served.
Jamir Wright, manager of Residence Life at East & West at the University of West Georgia, described the collaborative nature of the project as one of its most rewarding aspects.
“Being a part of this committee alongside a group of individuals who demonstrate such determination, creativity, and tenacity has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Wright shared. “This experience has reminded me that community impact is not just about the service we provide, but also about the relationships we build, the intentionality behind our efforts, and the lasting difference we hope to make.”
Wright’s reflection highlights another dimension of the initiative: the opportunity for SACSA members to learn from one another as they work toward a shared purpose. By bringing together professionals with different perspectives and experiences, the committee creates space for collaboration that translates into action beyond individual institutions.
For Taylor King, coordinator of Residential Learning Communities at Georgia Southern University, participation in the Community Impact Subcommittee is rooted in the responsibility to use available resources and opportunities to support others.
“I joined the Community Impact Subcommittee because I wanted to find meaningful ways to give back to my community and use the resources available to me to make a difference in the lives of others,” King explained.
King also emphasized the relationship between basic needs and educational opportunity, noting that higher education professionals have a responsibility to help students access the resources and support they need to pursue their goals.
“I encourage others to join this committee because giving back is more than providing resources; it is about helping create opportunities for students to succeed, both in college and beyond.”
ShyAnte’e Williams, coordinator for Student Center and Activities at Southern Methodist University and SACSA News Coordinator, joined the subcommittee after learning about its formation through SACSA’s open committee meetings. Williams was drawn to the possibility of contributing to a project that would give back to the community hosting the annual conference.
“SACSA has consistently received a warm welcome and support from the communities it visits,” Williams reflected. “The opportunity to give back and make a meaningful impact in these communities was one I wanted to be part of.”
For Williams, the initiative reflects the power of collective action and the opportunities that emerge when members bring their time, resources, and commitment together around a common goal. She highlights, "The opportunity to serve also reflects the spirit of volunteerism that sustains the association and enables new initiatives."
Together, these perspectives reflect an understanding of service that extends beyond the immediate act of giving. The supplies collected through this initiative address practical needs, while the effort itself reinforces the importance of collaboration, intentionality, and a holistic approach to student support.
The Community Impact initiative also represents an opportunity to expand SACSA’s presence beyond the institutions and communities its members serve every day.
This collective commitment is particularly important for an association whose members represent institutions throughout the Southern region. Although professional responsibilities and campus communities differ, there is a shared commitment to supporting students and advancing the work of student affairs.
Community Impact creates another avenue through which that commitment can be expressed. Rather than limiting service to individual campuses or familiar communities, the initiative invites members to recognize needs in the places where SACSA gathers and consider how their collective resources can help address them.
Although the Greenville project marks an important step for the newly established subcommittee, Neal sees considerable potential for Community Impact to grow in the years ahead.
She hopes future projects will continue to reflect the needs of the communities hosting SACSA conferences, whether through large-scale initiatives or smaller acts of service that communicate appreciation and support.
“I feel like the opportunities are limitless,” Neal said. “I'm excited to see where it goes and the ideas that others come up with.”
That vision does not depend on the size of a project or the number of resources collected. Instead, it begins with a willingness to ask what a community needs and how SACSA members can contribute meaningfully.
For Neal, that willingness represents an important shift in how conference attendees can think about their relationship with a host city. The communities that welcome professional associations provide more than meeting spaces and opportunities for exploration. They become part of the experiences that connect colleagues, strengthen professional relationships, and shape the memories attendees carry home.
Taryn Neal summarized the initiative’s purpose through a broader reflection on the relationship between service and student well-being:
“Ultimately, our hope is that these contributions communicate something greater to the students receiving them: You matter, your needs matter, and meaningful service has no geographic boundaries.”
The Community Impact Subcommittee is a subcommittee of SACSA’s MAC Committee. Its work focuses on identifying opportunities for SACSA members to give back to the communities that host the association’s conferences and to support students through meaningful service initiatives.
Committee Chair
Committee Members
The committee welcomes opportunities to collaborate, serve, and explore ways SACSA members can make a meaningful difference in communities across the Southern region.
