K-State Housing and Dining Director to Address International Audience

March 6, 2012 -- Derek Jackson, director of housing and dining services at Kansas State University, is one of 10 student-housing professionals selected to present at the 2012 Student Housing Training Institute, March 31 to April 4, in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa.

The event, organized by the Southern African Chapter of the Association of College and University Housing Officers International, will focus on providing student-housing personnel with superior service skills and competencies. Jackson will speak about building successful university-level housing programs.

"I am excited about the opportunity to help the housing professionals in Africa by sharing some of the knowledge I've gained over time," said Jackson. "I'm sure that I'll learn and grow through these interactions with my colleagues in Africa as well."

ACUHO-I is an organization dedicated to enhancing the residential experience in post-secondary educational institutions worldwide. Among its members are housing professionals from more than 900 colleges and universities in 22 countries, who serve an estimated 1.8 million students.

Jackson was selected as director of housing and dining services at K-State in 2011. The department serves more than 5,000 students and comprises three dining centers, nine residence halls, a female leadership/scholarship house and three apartment neighborhoods. In addition to his role as department director, Jackson has served as hall director for the university's Putnam and Haymaker residence halls, assistant director for residence life, and associate director for administrative services and residence life.