Penn State hosts 'On the Road with NACAS'

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On April 10 and 11, Penn State Auxiliary and Business Services hosted members of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) for “On the Road with NACAS.”  

Sessions and activities held at the University Park campus focused on “Best Practices at Penn State.” More than 60 attendees, representing 30 colleges, universities and business partners, attended the event.   

The event was co-hosted by Jonathan Kukta, senior director of regional campus strategy and planning and director of strategic initiatives for Finance and Business, and David Snyder, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services. Kukta is also president of the NACAS East Region.  

“This event provided a fantastic opportunity to connect, share ideas, explore best practices, and tour our outstanding campus operations at University Park,” Kukta said. “It was two great days of collaboration and meaningful conversations with colleagues across higher education." 

On the first day, participants toured the State College Regional Airport and Bryce Jordan Center. They were welcomed with remarks by Kukta and Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for Finance and Business/treasurer, and attended a reception in the Jordan Center’s new 1855 Club.   

On the event’s second day, Kukta and Snyder delivered opening remarks before the day’s first presentation, “The Strategy & Art of Campus Marketing,” from Diane Espy, ABS director of marketing and communications, Anne Dixon, lead marketing strategist, and Andy Heckathorne, art director and manager of visual communications.

The day continued with a tour of Beaver Stadium and the Penn State Bakery and Warehouse in the Housing and Food Services Building. Following lunch, Jim Meinecke, director of residential dining, delivered a presentation about Choolaah, a fast-casual Indian barbecue dining location in Redifer Commons.  

The day concluded with a tour of the HUB’s retail dining locations and the Penn State Bookstore.  

“We are honored to host On the Road with NACAS,” Snyder said. “I’d like to thank everyone involved with planning this event. I appreciate the effort involved with our ABS team, from delivering presentations to hosting tours to coordinating meals and transportation. Their dedication and expertise truly made this event a remarkable experience for our guests.” 

NACAS is a professional trade association that supports the nonacademic segment of higher education responsible for generating business through campus services that students need and value — such as food services, bookstores, housing and transportation.