The CSU+UC Event Professionals Network is a community of practice for event specialists working at higher education institutions across California. Led by a steering group of professionals from the two public university systems in California, the network is dedicated to helping the state’s professionals with the tenets below.
CONNECT event professionals with their counterparts to foster a rich exchange of ideas and successful practices.
EDUCATE event professionals with the skills to excel in their work.
GROW event specialists professionally by bolstering their career development.
SUPPORT event professionals with empathy and community as they navigate the stressful nature of their work.
The network is working towards a reality where higher education event professionals in California have influence and are recognized and respected as professionals at their universities.
The network's programming and committees welcome all event professionals working at a higher education institution in California. There is no fee to be part of the network; some programming has registration fees.
The network operates as several committees led by the Leadership Council and the CSU Advancement Academy at the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Leadership Council members chair the working committees that are composed of any interested network member.
The difference between a party planner and an event professional who works in higher education lies in their scope of work, purpose, and approach to event management. While party planners focus on creating individual celebrations, event professionals in higher education manage events as strategic tools that advance institutional priorities. Their work requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders, understanding complex organizational structures, and ensuring alignment with the university's mission and values.
Jessica Rowland
Cal State Fullerton
Chair, CSU+UC Event Professionals Network
Co-lead, Conference Committee
Phyllis Grillo
CSU Monterey Bay
Immediate Past Chair, CSU+UC Event Professionals Network
Lead, On Call/ Hot Topics Committee
Eduardo Ponce
UCLA
Co-lead, Digital Communications Committee
Melissa Henss
San Diego State
Co-lead Chair, Network Recruitment and Retention
Merry Coder
CSU Bakersfield
Co-lead Network Recruitment and Retention
Adrianne McCraw
UC San Diego
Co-lead, Conference Committee
Co-lead Chair, Network Recruitment and Retention
Monica Doll
Stanislaus State
Co-lead Chair, Network Recruitment and Retention
Sam Camarena
Cal State Chancellor's Office
CSU Chancellor's Office Advisor
Lead, Finance Committee
Helen Yniguez
Cal Poly Pomona
Co-lead, Conference Committee - Current Host
Leah Walukones
Sacramento State
Co-lead, Digital Communications Committee
Gabby (McGrath) O’Halloran
UC Berkeley
Co-lead, Conference Committee - Past Host
Khristine Lugo
San José State University
Co-lead, Conference Committee
The CSU+UC Event Professionals Network is a volunteer-run venture, and its success is based on the work of our committees. Committee membership is open to all. Many committee members find their work rewarding because of its impact on elevating the profession and the new skills and professional connections they develop in service of the network. The charges of the current committees are below. If you are interested in joining a committee, please reach out to the respective contact.
Charged with researching current and trending topics of keen interest to the network's membership to explore in ad hoc On Call webinars, discussions at the monthly Network Hot Topic meetings, and in conference programming.
Contact: Phyllis Grillo, pgrillo@csumb.edu
Charged with engaging the larger network through our social media channels and email in order to foster a rich exchange of ideas between event professionals, increase a sense of belonging, and relay important information.
Contact: Leah Walukones, walukones@csus.edu
Merry Coder, mcoder@csub.edu
Charged with recruiting, onboarding, and supporting the network's volunteers, who serve on Committees and as Network Ambassadors, they create awareness of the network among higher education institutions across California.
Contacts: Merry Coder, mcoder@csub.edu
Melissa Henss, mhenss@sdsu.edu
Adrianne McCraw, amccraw@ucsd.edu
Charged with collaborating with the programming committee and the host institution of the annual conference to plan and execute the network's signature event.
Contacts: Adrianne McCraw, amccraw@ucsd.edu
Jessica Rowland, jerowland@fullerton.edu
Sam Camarena, scamarena@calstate.edu
Charged with developing revenue-generating programs for the network. Including developing sponsorship opportunities for the annual conference and beyond, as well as making sure that funds are spent in a way that adds the most value to the network.
Contact: Sam Camarena, scamarena@calstate.edu
The CSU+UC Event Professionals Network organizes a group of Network Ambassadors that promote the Network's resources at their institution and help connect new ideas, successful practices, and professionals back to the Network. Each institution has two ambassadors, a primary and an alternate. Ambassadors advise the network's leadership on the current issues and needs of the network and the larger profession of higher education event planning.
Current List of Network Advisory Board Members
A Network Ambassador serves as the vital link between their institution and the CSU+UCEPN, promoting resources and programming while recruiting colleagues to contribute to the network's growth and excellence. They actively participate in committee work, monthly meetings about hot topics, and the annual conference, sharing innovative ideas and best practices from their institution to enhance network programming. Each institution in the CSU+UC Event Professionals Network is represented by two ambassadors.
Responsibilities
Have a pulse on events at your institution.
Represent the network at your institution by promoting CSU+UCEPN resources and programming and recruiting the time and talent of colleagues who want to help foster the growth and excellence of the network.
Serving on a network committee is encouraged.
You are encouraged to participate in monthly Network Hot Topic meetings (one hour per month) and the annual conference (three days per year). We promise you will get plenty out of these gatherings.
Be prepared to share trending ideas, speakers, and best practices from your institution for network programming.
If this sounds exciting, contact our membership committee to learn more about how you can serve as a Network Ambassador.