NACS Foundation Launches Mentorship Program

by Dan Angelo

The NACS Foundation always stays busy during CAMEX, but the weekend in Phoenix, AZ, for CAMEX26 was particularly hectic.

The organization held its normal fund-raising activity through the sales of flame pins, and sponsored all the education sessions, as usual. It also took time to announce a new initiative and hand out its highest honor, the Brian Cartier Distinguished Service Award, to past president Stephen Hochheiser.

“As we think about investing in the future, the next generation of leaders, it's also important to pause and to recognize leaders who have already shaped our industry,” said Gavin Jensen, foundation president and director of the Wildcat Store, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. “The future we are building does not happen in isolation. It's possible because of the vision, service, and commitment of those who have come before us, individuals who have dedicated their time, energy, and expertise to strengthening the independent campus or community.”

The lasting accomplishment during his tenure as NACS Foundation president was the completion of the Campus Store Standards, a framework for assessing the quality, services, and operation of campus stores.

“I had the privilege of unveiling the standards project at that general session in New Orleans,” Hochheiser said. “And I'm going to say that it's probably mostly because of being the right person at the right time, working with the right people, that I'm standing here today. It's because of others who had the vision and the energy to conceive of this project, as well as those who work tirelessly, to bring into fruition.”

Hochheiser, a NACS Honorary Member, has served the industry in a variety of volunteer leadership roles. He has been on the NACS Board of Trustees and the NACS Foundation Board, he chaired the Higher Education Executive Council of the Association of American Publishers and has served on the boards of the California Association of College Stores and the Southwest College Bookstore Association.

In addition, he worked in higher education publishing for 30 years for Cengage Learning and its precursors Thomson Learning, International Thomson Publishing, and Wadsworth. He also managed trade bookstores in the Mid-Atlantic region for 10 years and continues to serve as a marketing advisor for NACS, along with other volunteer boards in his home of Northfield, MN.

“I want to thank the NACS Foundation Board of Directors for this honor,” he said. “I'm very grateful. I also want to thank all of you for the work that you do. Whether or not the value you provide to your campus is adequately acknowledged by your administration, your faculty, or your students, I hope you are able to keep in mind every day that the service you provide your campus community is essential. You should be proud of the critical role you all play in higher education.”

Prior to making the presentation to Hochheiser, Jensen announced the launch of the NACS Foundation Mentorship Program, calling it an initiative to invest in the future of the industry.

“This program will be focused on the success of the independent campus store, an specifically on future leaders of the campus store industry,” Jensen said. “This program intentionally invests in the next generation of leaders.”

The inaugural program will include seven cohorts paired with seasoned industry leaders for one year. The goal is to help the mentees to strengthen their resumes, expand their networks, and to better understand the next steps in their careers.

“Each participant will identify their own goals, challenges, and areas of growth,” Jensen explained. “Mentors will then serve as guides to provide monthly structured support, sharing their expertise in helping mentees sharpen their professional focus, build confidence, and strengthen their leadership skills.

“We’re excited to see the impact of this program,” Jensen continued. “Not just on someone being mentored, but on the industry as a whole. When you buy a flame pin or invest in the NACS Foundation somehow, even as a volunteer, you are investing in the future of our stores, and the future of the next generation of leaders.”

The first round of mentors and mentees represent retail operations from across the country:

• Sonya Horn, bookstore assistant, Pioneer Bookshop, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA.

Mentor: Shelly Schrimpf, assistant director, campus retail and licensing, Lope Shop, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ.

• Barbara Coleman, retail sales associate, Monmouth University Store, West Long Branch, NJ.

Mentors: Misty Eaton, director, University Store, University of Wyoming, Laramie, and Rita Phillips, director, Iowa State University Bookstore, Ames.

• Teresa Brown, manager, Grove City College Bookstore, Grove City, PA.

Mentors: Aaron Ochoa, director, UC Davis Stores, University of California, Davis, and Genta Guitron, chief wellness officer, MSU Bookstore, Montana State University, Bozeman.

• Brendan MacKay, assistant manager, University of Guelph Bookstore, Guelph, ON, Canada.

Mentors: Gilberto Garcia, manager, Southwestern College Campus Store, Southwestern Community College District, Chula Vista, CA, and Michelle Staley, assistant director of merchandise and supplies, Colorado State University Bookstore, Fort Collins.

• Sarah Drotzur, manager/buyer, WCTC Bookstore, Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, WI.

Mentors: Roger Hailstork, director, UC San Diego Bookstore, University of California San Diego, and Len Fangmeyer, Loper Spirit Ship, University of Nebraska, Kearney.

• Jennifer Sweany, manager, web store, San Diego State University Bookstore, San Diego, CA.

Mentors: Joe Stringer, e-commerce manager, Lope Shop, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, and Rico Ovalles, director, academic resources, Beach Shops, California State University Long Beach.

• Kyle Mudge, accounts receivable specialist, MSU Bookstore, Montana State University, Bozeman.

Mentors: Andy Dunn, director, campus retail and licensing, Lope Shop, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ, and Kim Anvinson, director, NDSU Bookstore, North Dakota State University, Fargo.



For more information on the NACS Foundation Mentorship Program, contact Jaymee Skelly, NACS Foundation director, at nacsfoundation@nacs.org.