Dawn Villacci, director of Engagement and Guest Experience, is on a mission to connect with students and staff at Stony Brook University and enhance their campus experience through the Auxiliary Services Association (ASA). Her goal is clear and impactful: to make every interaction with ASA extraordinary.

Dawn Villacci, director of Engagement and Guest Experience, Auxiliary Services Association

With the launch of ASA’s new Engagement and Guest Experience department, ASA has transformed how the campus community engages with the services provided on campus. “Through events and focus groups, we actively listen to our guests to tailor our services to their needs. We want the community to be part of the conversation and collaborate with ASA to showcase the talents and contributions that our students, faculty and staff bring to our campus,” explained Villacci.

ASA’s new initiative for enhancing engagement through fun, interactive events and activities helps gather valuable feedback to better understand the needs and preferences of the campus community. “Your voice matters,” Villacci emphasized. “We’re here to listen and make it count. Together, we can create unforgettable moments that elevate your campus life experience.”

During Welcome Week, the ASA Engagement office hosted many programs including Paint Night, Bingo, Hydroponic Gardening, Commuting Confidently, and Getting to Know the SBU Eats dining program. Many of these programs were hosted in the new reservable spaces that ASA developed this summer, including the new comfortable seating area at J-Club at Jasmine in the Charles B. Wang Center and the Lounge at East Side Dining.

Villacci, a proud graduate of Stony Brook University, completed degrees in 1991 and 2014. Her passion for interacting with the campus community shines through in every aspect of her work. She believes that creating a platform where everyone can freely share their ideas and experiences will continually improve the services that matter most.

One of the recent programs included a lecture by Stony Brook University alum Heather Wickham ’24, who majored in environmental design, policy and planning, where she discussed the living wall she developed for the J-Club. Students who participated in the workshop painted flower pots for their new spider plant. They learned that being surrounded by plants indoors can reduce stress and improve your mood.

The programs ASA provides help students to have a closer connection with the campus so that their time spent at Stony Brook feels like home. Each year, the Cooking from Home program pairs students with SBU Eats chefs to work together to cook authentic family recipes to share with the campus community at the dining locations. ASA encourages students to become a part of this program.

By providing diverse programs, workshops, and events, the department seeks to foster a sense of belonging by creating an environment where everyone can connect, learn, and thrive in a supportive community. More programs are on the horizon, including an Artisan Market for student entrepreneurs, a Shop Red Fashion Show, an Open Mic Night and an Open House Celebration at the new ASA Hub.

For more information and to collaborate on programming, contact dawn.villacci@stonybrook.edu.