THE ASSOCIATION OF MANAGERS IN CANADIAN COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT CENTRES

What THE ASSOCIATION OF MANAGERS IN CANADIAN COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT CENTRES does

ACUI (Association of College Unions International) is a 501(c)-style non-profit professional association founded in 1914 and headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana. It serves college union and student affairs professionals at higher education institutions and the corporate vendors that supply them, organized through eight geographic regions covering the United States, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, and Qatar.

ACUI's product portfolio is anchored by tiered institutional membership (Premium, Full, and Digital) priced from $345 to $4,945 annually based on IPEDS full-time enrollment, plus individual and associate/corporate memberships at $999/year. The core technology is an online education platform and learning management system that delivers Full Courses ($199 members), Mini-Courses ($120), a Training Hub microlearning library ($10/program or $150/library), Content Packages ($250), webinars, roundtables, and CSAEd-CU certification exams. Events include an Annual Conference (2027 in Baltimore), eight regional conferences annually, and a portfolio of institutes such as I-LEAD, Women's Leadership Institute, Aspiring Directors Institute, Building Managers Institute, IPDS New Professionals Seminar, and a co-produced Collegiate Marketing Institute with NIRSA.

Revenue is diversified across membership dues, event registration, course and training fees, corporate advertising and sponsorship (The Bulletin, email blasts, event exhibits), branded merchandise, and donations to the Education and Research Fund. Distribution combines direct institutional sales, self-serve online education, an e-commerce store, and a Career Center job board. The association is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by CEO John Taylor, with eight regional directors and a Central Office staff supporting membership, fundraising (Justin Rudisille), and finance (Dave Teske).

Name

THE ASSOCIATION OF MANAGERS IN CANADIAN COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT CENTRES

Legal name

Association of College Unions International

Website

https://acui.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACUI (Association of College Unions International) is a 110-year-old non-profit professional association serving college union and student activities professionals at higher education institutions across eight global regions through tiered institutional membership, online education, certification, conferences, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE), Student Organizations & Club Administration (EDALAHAB)

Keywords

• Professional development services
• Higher education association
• Student activities programming
• College union management
• Nonprofit membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Membership Dues: Annual dues calculated based on full-time equivalent enrollment as reported on U.S. Department of Education IPEDS data. Three tiers available: Premium Tier ($1,225-$4,945 depending on enrollment), Full Tier ($699-$3,720), and Digital Tier ($345-$2,142). Premium Tier includes over $2,500 in complimentary education and resources.
2. Associate/Corporate Membership: Companies can join as associate members for $999 annually, enabling their team to connect with over 5,000 professionals and students. Includes listing in Buyer's Guide, discounts on events, and access to member directory.
3. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from Annual Conference, Regional Conferences, Seminars, Institutes, and workshops. Pricing varies by event type with member and non-member rates.
4. Course and Training Fees: Full courses cost $199 for members and $259 for non-members. Mini-courses cost $120. Training Hub programs priced at $10 per program, $40 for five-program bundle, or $150 for full library. Content packages available for $250.
5. Corporate Advertising and Sponsorship: Corporate partners can advertise in The Bulletin magazine (starting at $800 per issue), newsletter (starting at $2,400 for 24 issues), email eblasts ($1,250 single), and sponsor/exhibit at events including Annual Conference and Regional Conferences.
6. Store Sales: Sale of ACUI logo apparel, books (College Union Dynamic, College Union Idea, Core Competencies Handbook), and merchandise through the online store.
7. Donations and Fundraising: Education and Research Fund accepts donations to support scholarships and professional development. Donor levels range from Friends ($100-$250) to Trustees Society ($75,001+). Annual Conference fundraising activities and Knot Club alumni donations support the Meg Sutton I-LEAD Scholarship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

A non-profit professional membership association that delivers professional development, certification, networking, and resources for college union and student activities professionals at higher education institutions. Core offerings include tiered institutional memberships (Premium, Full, Digital), the Training Hub microlearning library, Full Courses, Mini-Courses, the CSAEd-CU certification credential, an Annual Conference, eight Regional Conferences, and a portfolio of specialized institutes and seminars covering leadership, facilities management, marketing, and student organization advising.

Product overview

ACUI (Association of College Unions International) offers a comprehensive professional development ecosystem consisting of multiple interconnected products and services. The core offerings include: a microlearning Training Hub with dozens of programs across analytical intelligence, business acumen, professional effectiveness, and relationship management domains; formal education through Full Courses (6-8 weeks, $199) and Mini-Courses (self-paced, $120); professional certification through the College Unions Student Affairs Certification (CSAEd-CU); and online education including webinars, roundtables, Thought Leadership events, and virtual workshops. The association organizes Regional Conferences across eight geographic regions and an Annual Conference. Specialized institutes include I-LEAD, Women's Leadership Institute, Student Organization Institute, Aspiring Directors Institute, Building Managers Institute, Collegiate Marketing Institute, Facilities Management Seminar, IPDS New Professionals Seminar, and Renovation and Construction Seminar. Publications include The Bulletin magazine and books such as College Union Dynamic and College Union Idea. Additional offerings include Content Packages for campus training ($250), the ACUI Career Center job board, and tiered institutional memberships ranging from $345 to $4,945 annually based on enrollment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSAEd (Certified Student Affairs Educator): A voluntary credential program for student affairs educators, developed collaboratively by student affairs associations, educators, and graduate faculty. Includes CSAEd-CU specialty certification for college unions.
• I-LEAD (Institute for Leadership Education and Development)
• IPDS (Institute for Professional Development Seminar)

Products and services

• Institutional Membership Tiers (Premium, Full, Digital) Annual institutional memberships that provide campus-wide access to ACUI's professional development, networking, certification, and resources. Premium Tier includes over $2,500 in complimentary education and resources, $825 educational credit voucher, and four campus passes; Full Tier includes $150 voucher and one pass; Digital Tier includes free webinars and virtual roundtables.
• Associate/Corporate Membership $999 annual membership for companies providing products and services to college unions and student activities operations, including Buyer's Guide listing, event discounts, and access to over 5,000 professionals and students.
• Full Courses Multi-week courses (6-8 weeks) with both synchronous and asynchronous learning, including virtual classroom sessions, discussion boards, and a certificate/badge upon completion. Priced at $199 for members and $259 for non-members.
• Mini-Courses Self-paced courses providing approximately 30 hours of training, with up to six months to complete. No classes or peer-to-peer interaction required; organized into learning paths for Assessment/Evaluation/Research, Event Management, and Social Justice competencies. Priced at $120 per course.
• Training Hub Members-only microlearning library providing self-paced professional development programs on topics including analytical intelligence, business acumen, professional effectiveness, and relationship management. Programs range from 15 to 90 minutes; priced at $10 per program, $40 for five-program bundle, $150 for full library.
• CSAEd-CU Certification (College Unions Student Affairs Certification) Voluntary professional credential demonstrating ongoing learning, competencies, and knowledge in student affairs work and college unions specifically. Designed for mid-level and above professionals in student affairs.
• The Bulletin Magazine Print and digital magazine with circulation exceeding 3,000 featuring best practices and education regarding college union and student activities. Published with special editions including The Year in Review and Renovation & Construction edition.
• Annual Conference Flagship annual conference bringing together hundreds of professionals in college unions and student activities for education, networking, and professional development. 2027 conference scheduled for Baltimore, February 28-March 4.
• Regional Conferences Annual gatherings hosted by each of the eight ACUI regions for education and networking within geographical areas, held at various campuses throughout North America and internationally.
• I-LEAD (Institute for Leadership Education and Development) Transformational experience for inclusive leadership and community building, providing space for college students to achieve learning outcomes informed by student development and leadership theories.
• Women's Leadership Institute Special program for women seeking to further their leadership skills in higher education administration, coproduced with other higher education associations.
• Student Organization Institute Institute for student organization advisors offering networking, best practices, risk management strategies, advisor development, and student leadership development resources.
• Aspiring Directors Institute Seminar for mid-level professionals aspiring to higher positions in student affairs, focusing on career advancement through social justice and equity lens.
• IPDS: New Professionals Seminar Four-day immersive program for new college union and student activities professionals focused on skill building and networking.
• Building Managers Institute Program bringing together professionals and students in facilities management to develop skills and share best practices for building manager training.
• Facilities Management Seminar Foundational program for aspiring union directors and senior professionals new to facilities, offering back-of-house tours and immersive case studies.
• Renovation and Construction Seminar Program designed to equip professionals with tools and information needed to successfully renovate or build student union facilities.
• Collegiate Marketing Institute Collaborative event with NIRSA for campus recreation, college union, and student activities professionals to share marketing best practices and trends.
• Content Packages Pre-packaged educational resources for campus staff and student training, including videos, facilitation guides, handouts, and knowledge checks. Available at $250 per package across topics including College Union and Leadership Foundations and Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills.
• College Union Dynamic, Second Edition (2026) Book presenting a comprehensive approach to designing effective college unions, second edition released in 2026.
• College Union Idea, Second Edition (2012) Book chronicling the philosophy and function of the college union, second edition published in 2012.
• Core Competencies Handbook (2020) Handbook outlining the competencies needed to be successful in the college union and student activities profession, published in 2020.
• ACUI Career Center Job board connecting employers with college union and student activities professionals. Provides database of opportunities nationwide; members receive preferential pricing for job postings.
• Webinars and Virtual Roundtables Free virtual learning opportunities for ACUI Premium and Full Tier campus members, including webinars, virtual roundtables, Thought Leadership events featuring outside experts, Ask the Expert interactive sessions, and virtual workshops.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered champion, leader, community builder and core.

• Chartwells Higher EducationchampionGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level Corporate Partnership Advantage member providing dining and food service solutions to higher education. Recognized for significant engagement as part of ACUI's new Corporate Partnership Advantage Program offering exclusive invitations to in-person programs, discounts, brand recognition opportunities, and acknowledgement at Annual Conference.
• RecRechampionGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level Corporate Partnership Advantage member providing recreational equipment and solutions. Recognized as industry-leading partner for engagement in ACUI's Corporate Partnership Advantage Program with exclusive event invitations, discounts, and brand recognition.
• AE WorksleaderGTM or Marketing PartnerLeader-tier Corporate Partnership Advantage member providing architecture and design services. Recognized for engagement in ACUI's Corporate Partnership Advantage Program.
• ikon5 architectsleaderGTM or Marketing PartnerLeader-tier Corporate Partnership Advantage member providing architectural services. Recognized for engagement in ACUI's Corporate Partnership Advantage Program.
• Perkins & WillleaderGTM or Marketing PartnerLeader-tier Corporate Partnership Advantage member providing comprehensive architecture and design services. Recognized for engagement in ACUI's Corporate Partnership Advantage Program.
• MHTN ArchitectsleaderGTM or Marketing PartnerLeader-tier Corporate Partnership Advantage member providing architectural services. Recognized for engagement in ACUI's Corporate Partnership Advantage Program.
• Mazevocommunity builderGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Builder-tier Corporate Partnership Advantage member. Recognized for engagement in ACUI's Corporate Partnership Advantage Program.
• NIRSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with NIRSA (Association of College Recreation) to produce the Collegiate Marketing Institute. Both higher education associations share common goal of building healthy campus communities, making the event valuable for campus recreation, college union, and student activities professionals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers): AACRAO is a comparable higher education membership association serving registrars and admissions officers with a long-established institutional tiered dues model and annual conference.
• Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS): CAS develops standards and frameworks for higher education student affairs programs, directly adjacent to ACUI's core competencies handbook and CSAEd credential in setting professional practice for college unions and student activities.
• NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education: NASPA is the primary professional association for student affairs administrators in higher education, competing for the same institutional membership budgets and individual members as ACUI across the broader student affairs profession.
• ACUHO-I (Association of College and University Housing Officers - International): ACUHO-I serves housing and residence life professionals in higher education using a near-identical tiered institutional membership, annual conference, and regional structure model, making it one of the closest structural comparables to ACUI.
• APPA: Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers: APPA serves higher education facilities officers and shares ACUI's focus on building/operations professionals with conference, credential, and institutional membership offerings aimed at the same campus buyer.
• NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation: NIRSA is the leading association for collegiate recreation professionals and directly collaborates with ACUI on the Collegiate Marketing Institute, serving overlapping higher education institutional buyers with a similar membership + conference + certification model.
• Society for College and University Planning (SCUP): SCUP serves campus planners and institutional effectiveness professionals with annual conferences, regional events, and credentials — overlapping with ACUI's facilities, renovation, and planning audiences.
• CUPA-HR (College and University Professional Association for Human Resources): CUPA-HR provides membership, conferences, and resources to higher education HR professionals with a tiered institutional model comparable to ACUI's, competing for the same institutional line items on campus.
• ACPA - College Personnel Association: ACPA focuses on college student personnel and student development professionals and is closely aligned with ACUI's CSAEd credentialing initiative, making it a direct peer in the student affairs credentialing space.

Broad incumbents

• EDUCAUSE: EDUCAUSE is a much larger, broader higher education association focused on IT and digital transformation; while not directly competing, it competes for institutional membership mindshare and is an ecosystem-level incumbent in higher ed associations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ACUItweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/acui.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acui
• Instagraminstagram.com/acui_gallery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE ASSOCIATION OF MANAGERS IN CANADIAN COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY AND STUDENT CENTRES