What Makes the NACCU Community Different
What Makes the NACCU Community Different
If you’ve ever attended a NACCU event, joined a webinar, asked a question on the NACCU Listserv, or simply connected with another campus card professional through NACCU, you’ve probably felt it: This community is different.
NACCU isn’t just an association of campus card professionals, it’s a network of people who understand the work you do, share the challenges you face, and show up to help each other succeed. Campus card offices are uniquely positioned at the intersection of identity, access, technology, operations, customer service, and campus experience. That means no two days are the same and no one should have to navigate that work alone.
So what makes NACCU such a powerful community? Here are a few things our members consistently say that sets NACCU apart.
1. A Community That “Gets It”
Campus card work is highly specialized. Whether you manage credentialing, mobile credentials, access control, transaction systems, vendor relationships, or daily customer service operations, you’re doing work that directly impacts security, campus life, and student success.
NACCU members don’t need a long explanation before they understand your question. They’ve lived it too.
That shared understanding creates something rare: a space where you can speak openly, ask real questions, and get real answers fast. It’s not just networking, it’s professional trust.
“Just one of many examples is the NACCU Listserv. This community is asking the hard questions and getting authentic answers. We are all getting answers for questions we may have not known how to articulate or to even who to articulate to. Being a one-person card office I heavily rely on these unique queries to see what applies to my exact institution.”
- Chelsea Gonzales, Project Manager, Paw Pass Office, Department of Auxiliary Services, College of Southern Nevada
2. Real Collaboration, Not Competition
One of the most special things about NACCU is the culture of collaboration. Members don’t hold back best practices , but share them on webinars. They don’t guard examples. Instead, they post them on The Vault. Our members don’t just talk about solutions, but take the time to show you how they did it at a NACCU Near You or conference presentation. The list goes on and on with ways members collaborate and share information with each other.
Other examples might look like:
- Sharing a policy you can adapt immediately
- Walking you through a vendor transition or RFP process
- Helping troubleshoot a system issue
- Offering advice on how to future proof your campus
- Learning from other members when you are new to the industry
In the NACCU community, success isn’t something you achieve alone. It’s something you build together.
“NACCU has been a really great tool in my time at the card office. I really enjoy how NACCU's members are very open-minded and reassuring; from staff like John Ogle, who showed me the Vault, NACCU events, and other resources, to other members like Emily Dieker, from George Washington University, who patiently answered all my questions after their presentations and meetings. Their help made my transition switching between different careers less intimidating.”
- Michelle Lordiany, Campus Card Services Assistant, California Institute of Technology
3. Connections That Turn Into Real Relationships
NACCU is known for creating meaningful professional connections that last far beyond a single event. Members come for the education, but they stay for the relationships.
Because NACCU brings together professionals across:
- Institutions of all sizes
- Public and private campuses
- One-person offices and large multi-unit operations
- Every region and system type
…you gain access to perspectives you may not find anywhere else.
And the best part? NACCU relationships don’t feel transactional. They feel genuine. It’s the kind of network where people remember you, check in and follow up, not because they have to, but because they care.
“What truly sets the NACCU community apart is the strong sense of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose among its members. There is a genuine willingness to support one another, share knowledge, and learn from diverse perspectives, which makes NACCU feel like a community rather than just a professional association.
- Lina Gallego, Team Lead, ONEcard, University of Alberta
4. A Learning Culture That Helps You Grow at Every Stage
Whether you’re brand new to the campus card operations or have decades of experience, NACCU supports your growth. This is a community where learning is constant and shared. Members help each other develop through:
- Professional development sessions and workshops
- Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
- Mentorship and informal coaching
- Exposure to emerging trends, tools, and strategies
And because campus card offices evolve quickly, especially with technology and security needs, having a learning community behind you makes all the difference.
“The NACCU webinars are a great way to learn about new technology and trends. Reading through the NACCU Listserv you find things that that you were not even aware of, but maybe should be.”
- Joyce Looby, Sr. Systems Specialist, Miami University
5. Support You Can Feel in the Moments That Matter
The NACCU community shines brightest when you’re facing real challenges:
- A systems outage
- A major policy change
- A new credential rollout
- A campus security concern
- A staffing shortage or service disruption
In those moments, NACCU isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.
Members show up with insight, resources, and encouragement. It’s not uncommon to hear: “I don’t know what we would have done without my peers at NACCU.”
That kind of support is built into the culture.
“NACCU has served as an essential resource for my work. It is evident that members are invested in one another's success, and the openness with which experiences and lessons are shared has been especially valuable to me. Learning how others have navigated challenges has helped inform my own approach and has allowed me to bring meaningful ideas and solutions back to my own campus.”
- Olivia Bedard, Support Coordinator, NDSU IT Service Center, North Dakota State University
NACCU Is More Than a Membership. It’s a Community Advantage
At its core, NACCU is a community of professionals who are committed to doing this work well, and doing it together.
It’s where you can find answers, share wins, learn from challenges, and connect with people who truly understand what it means to support campus identity and services.
“What makes NACCU such a unique and invaluable resource is the willingness of its members to share not just successes, but challenges and real-world experiences. There’s no sense that anyone is “gatekeeping” ideas. Instead, there’s an open exchange of strategies, resources, and insights that helps every institution elevate their program, no matter where they are in their journey. The culture of transparency and generosity makes it easy to ask questions, exchange strategies, policies, or best practices, and continuously improve. I am grateful to be part of such a welcoming community of campus card professionals and to learn and grow alongside my peers.”
- Rachel Herrington, Assistant Director of Finance and Administration, Auxiliary Services, Louisiana State University
So, whether you’ve been here for years or you’re just getting started, know this:
You belong here. And you’re not doing this work alone.
WE ARE… glad you’re part of NACCU.