Spring Break
Maxwell becomes new president of ACUI
Crystal Lindell
Issue date: 2/3/03 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
One day an insightful hall director pulled Dan Maxwell aside to offer him some advice. With Maxwell still looking for something to do when he graduated, the hall director told him that working with college students and their diverse activities was something he should look into.
Maxwell did, and 16 years later he is not only the director of student activities at Western Illinois University, but also the new president elect for the Association of College Unions International, a national volunteer organization.
Maxwell began his college career in upstate New York at Syracuse University.
“When I was an under-grad I was a (resident assistant), in the student unions, in a frat and a lifeguard,” Maxwell said of why working with college student activities seemed like the natural thing for him to do.
He graduated with a four-year degree in business in 1986. He went on to get his master’s degree in college student personnel at the University of Miami in Florida.
“I decided if I was going to get my master’s, I had to be warm,” Maxwell joked.
After graduating in 1988, Maxwell went on to work two years at his alma matter, Syracuse University. He then worked eight years at the University of Arizona. While at Arizona, Maxwell decided to volunteer with ACUI.
In July 1998, Maxwell came to Western. He also joined the Regional Executive Board for ACUI serving Illinois and Indiana in 1998. In ACUI, Maxwell set up educational workshops and leadership seminars. In October 2001, he became active in a national position.
“It just seemed like the natural progression of things,” Maxwell said.
“One year ago I ran on the national ballot for a board member. I didn’t win. This year I was on the ballot for the national president elect. Voting was in December, and it was announced in January that I won.”
He added that he would now observe the current president for one year and will officially hold office from March 2004 to March 2005.
Although he will have many added responsibilities with the new position, such as extensive traveling, Maxwell is confident in the support of his staff at Western. He has five full-time assistant directors and 12 graduate assistants.
“You have good people and you get out of their way,” Maxwell said. “We have a great working relationship in the office.”
“I think he’ll be able to handle the position, it fits him well,” said Jim Droste, graduate assistant for the Bureau of Culture Affairs, who works with Maxwell.
Maxwell did, and 16 years later he is not only the director of student activities at Western Illinois University, but also the new president elect for the Association of College Unions International, a national volunteer organization.
Maxwell began his college career in upstate New York at Syracuse University.
“When I was an under-grad I was a (resident assistant), in the student unions, in a frat and a lifeguard,” Maxwell said of why working with college student activities seemed like the natural thing for him to do.
He graduated with a four-year degree in business in 1986. He went on to get his master’s degree in college student personnel at the University of Miami in Florida.
“I decided if I was going to get my master’s, I had to be warm,” Maxwell joked.
After graduating in 1988, Maxwell went on to work two years at his alma matter, Syracuse University. He then worked eight years at the University of Arizona. While at Arizona, Maxwell decided to volunteer with ACUI.
In July 1998, Maxwell came to Western. He also joined the Regional Executive Board for ACUI serving Illinois and Indiana in 1998. In ACUI, Maxwell set up educational workshops and leadership seminars. In October 2001, he became active in a national position.
“It just seemed like the natural progression of things,” Maxwell said.
“One year ago I ran on the national ballot for a board member. I didn’t win. This year I was on the ballot for the national president elect. Voting was in December, and it was announced in January that I won.”
He added that he would now observe the current president for one year and will officially hold office from March 2004 to March 2005.
Although he will have many added responsibilities with the new position, such as extensive traveling, Maxwell is confident in the support of his staff at Western. He has five full-time assistant directors and 12 graduate assistants.
“You have good people and you get out of their way,” Maxwell said. “We have a great working relationship in the office.”
“I think he’ll be able to handle the position, it fits him well,” said Jim Droste, graduate assistant for the Bureau of Culture Affairs, who works with Maxwell.
