Dear Network Colleagues,
As we welcome a new academic year, I’m excited to look ahead to what’s next for our CSU+UC Event Professionals Network. Each new season brings fresh opportunities to learn, connect, and find creative ways to navigate the evolving world of events and higher education.
Fall is a natural time to reset, share ideas, and reconnect with colleagues across our campuses. Our work continues to challenge us to be flexible, resourceful, and innovative—and there is no better resource than the collective knowledge and experience within this network.
In this issue, we’re bringing you stories, insights, and spotlights designed to inspire and connect us, including:
Network Spotlights that introduce you to the talented professionals who make up our community
Campus highlights showcasing creative approaches and successful events from across the CSU and UC systems
Hot topics and timely conversations addressing the challenges and opportunities shaping our profession
Ideas, resources, and inspiration you can take back to your campus and put into practice
I’m continually inspired by the generosity of this network—our willingness to share what works, talk honestly about what doesn’t, and support one another through the busy seasons.
As your Chair, I’m grateful to be part of this community and excited for the year ahead. Thank you for the expertise, creativity, and energy you bring to our profession every day.
Here’s to a new academic year filled with meaningful connections, fresh ideas, and events that make an impact.
Warmly,
Jessica Rowland
Chair, CSU+UC Event Professionals Network
By: R. PAUL VILLALUZ
Events is our middle name! 🎉
Take a sneak peek behind the scenes with UC San Diego’s Special Events & Protocol team—an all-women powerhouse turning 100–150 events a year into seamless, memorable moments. Meet the team, discover the surprising careers they once imagined, and find out which animals and sitcom characters bring out their spirit-team energy. Read more and get to know the pros who make “chaos look intentional.”
By: SAM CAMARENA
What can a nearly 30-year-old book teach us about producing great events? Quite a bit, it turns out. The Four Agreements offers a surprisingly relevant framework for navigating communication, feedback, assumptions, and the pursuit of excellence in the complex world of higher education events.
By: EDUARDO PONCE
From inspiring conversations and creative ideas to new connections and plenty of celebration, the 2026 CSU+UC Event Professionals Network Conference was filled with moments worth remembering. Take a look at some of the highlights from this year’s conference!
By: LINAE ISHII-DEVINE
Skip the pricey centerpieces and use what nature (and your existing supply closet) already offers. Discover simple, affordable tricks that turn ordinary tables and welcome areas into warm, autumn-ready spaces in minutes.
By: JORDAN DANIELLE LITKE
Whether you're hosting an outdoor event or an all-day celebration, having easy access to drinking water can make a big difference in the overall attendee experience. Planners are realizing that finding solutions for drinking water at events can be a necessity, and there are now a variety of water vendors available to service this need.
Looking for a new way to connect, contribute, and make an impact within the CSU+UC Event Professionals Network? Join one of our committees!
Share your ideas, connect with fellow event professionals, help shape the future of our network, and grow your professional community along the way. Whether you’re passionate about events, communications, professional development, membership, or something in between, there’s a place for you!
Bring your ideas. Share your expertise. Help us build what’s next.
Explore our committees and get involved today!
NAB crew, it was so great seeing so many of you at the conference in July! We loved having the chance to connect in person, especially during our NAB session.
As the new academic year gets underway, keep us in the loop on what’s happening at your campus. What are you seeing? What challenges are popping up? What would you like to hear, learn or talk about as a network this year? Send your updates and ideas to csuepn@gmail.com. We want to hear from you!
Mark your calendars and join us on the third Thursday of each month for our Hot Topics series. Each session features timely discussions tailored to the work of event professionals. Have a topic you’d like us to explore? Email our team at csuepn@gmail.com.
Missed a session? Recordings are available to watch anytime.
Our next hot topic is:
October 22, 2026
Connect with peers and partners from across California’s higher education events landscape at the CSU+UC EPN Annual Conference. This premier gathering brings together engaging roundtable discussions, informative breakout sessions, meaningful networking, the annual awards celebration, and a variety of opportunities to share ideas and best practices.
@csuucepn
Have an event or news you would like featured on a future Professional Insider edition? We’ll distribute to our network members.
Thanks for reading this quarters issue!
SAM CAMARENA
CSU Chancellor's Office
EDUARDO PONCE
UCLA
R. PAUL VILLALUZ
Sacramento State
JORDAN DANIELLE LITKE
Cal Poly Pomona
MERRY CODER
CSU Bakersfield
LINAE ISHII-DEVINE
Middlebury Institute
WILLIAM BAKER
Cal State LA