Welcome from the NACA Chair


Jon Dooley, PhD

At least once a week, I receive a telephone call from an entertainer, speaker or company that is interested in performing or presenting at our university – and usually the next week! After I explain that we book our entertainment at least a semester in advance, the response is usually, “Really? We had no idea!” To which I respond, “you’re not too familiar with the unique and distinctive ‘college market,’ are you?”

I try my best to explain how we do business at our school, making a point that every college and market may do their business a little differently. And, of course, I tell them about the incredible resource called “NACA.”

I do find it a little more surprising when I communicate with a peer in the field of campus activities that is not familiar with NACA or what we have to offer. Our core purpose, “To advance campus activities and its contributions to higher education through learning and entertainment,” truly sums up what we are all about. But there is so much more that we offer school and associate members.

For close to 50 years, NACA has been the primary source of linking higher education and entertainment. Just like the entertainment industry, NACA has evolved over these years to meet the needs of our members and to respond to the ever-changing market. Our new strategic plan lays the ground work for us to continue our success and be the preeminent association in the college market for the next 50 years and beyond.

One of our strongest resources is the volunteers who support and are the back-bone of what we do. NACA provides a wide array of opportunities for professional development, education, entertainment viewing, conducting business and, of course, networking. The volunteers of our association are a valued part of what we do and how we do it. The passion, dedication and commitment that our volunteers demonstrate is exemplary. There are many opportunities to volunteer, so we hope that you take advantage of a possibility that you will find both challenging and rewarding, as well as enjoy.

Of course, part of the success of our volunteers is due in part to the staff at the NACA Office, based in Columbia, SC. Their ability to handle the multitude of day-to-day operations for the Association is truly amazing. No Association can be successful without a strong foundation on which they can rely – and our office staff provides that and so much more.

We encourage you to access as much or as little as you need or want from NACA, whether it be through the Web site, a regional conference, National Convention, Campus Activities Programming magazine, research or whatever. Thank you for visiting our Web site. We look forward to serving you in any way possible to make your experience in the college market the most rewarding possible.

Jon Dooley
Chair, NACA Board of Directors