Lindsey Woods stated that she has held a variety of roles within SACSA and currently serves as a Board of Trustees member for the SACSA Foundation. Professionally, she is the Senior Director of Student Engagement and the University Commons and Event Services at the University of West Florida.

In her professional role, she primarily oversees student engagement initiatives across the university, including student activities, fraternity and sorority life, student organizations, and commuter life. She described her work as encompassing anything engaging and fun that students can participate in outside the classroom that enhances the student experience. More recently, she has also taken on oversight of the University Commons and Event Services department, which includes managing the facility, executing events, and coordinating external reservations for community use.

Reflecting on her first SACSA conference in 2013 in Norfolk, Virginia, she recalled the opening ceremony at Old Dominion University and the strong sense of hospitality she experienced. She noted that recent events affecting the campus community have made that memory especially meaningful. She shared that she was immediately drawn in by the conference and formed lasting relationships that continue to support her work today.

Her most memorable experience was serving as the conference chair for the 2025 conference in Louisville, Kentucky. She described the role as both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing the impact of creating an enriching experience for attendees. Although she was initially hesitant to accept the position, she expressed deep gratitude for the personal and professional growth it provided, as well as the lasting connections she built. She also noted how fulfilling it has been to hear from attendees who had a positive experience at the conference she helped lead.

For first-time attendees, Woods advised introducing themselves to others, even though it may feel intimidating. She emphasized that SACSA is a welcoming, family-like environment and that building connections early can lead to valuable, long-term professional relationships.

She described her overall experience with SACSA as both personally and professionally fulfilling. She values the opportunity to connect with colleagues and mentors while also gaining practical knowledge through sessions and networking. She continues to be fully present at conferences, balancing learning opportunities with meaningful conversations.

Ultimately, Woods shared that it is the people who keep her coming back to SACSA. She highlighted the strength of the professional network and the consistent quality of the conference experience, noting that each time she attends, she returns to her institution better equipped to serve her campus community.

Lindsey, thank you for the hard work, compassion, dedication, and care you bring to both the field and this organization.