Auxiliary services director honored as regional volunteer of the year

Cheryl Montgomery, director of auxiliary services at Eastern Mennonite University, was honored as the National Association of College Auxiliary Services’ East Regional Volunteer of the Year. She received the award Nov. 14 at the national conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The National Association of College Auxiliary Services is the largest professional auxiliary services support organization serving higher education. The business of higher education auxiliary services includes collaboration with vendors that provide services related to bookstores, dining halls, campus card systems, housing, parking and transportation, and more. 

Montgomery has been at EMU for nearly 14 years. She oversees all aspects of facilities-oriented revenue generation. A major part of her role is serving as the liaison between the university and outside vendors providing those services. She also works closely with groups and organizations that rent EMU’s facilities.

“We at EMU have long known that Cheryl is a hardworking, skillful, and visionary leader for our complex auxiliary services operations,” said Provost Fred Kniss. “It is gratifying to know that her professional colleagues see those same qualities. We are proud to congratulate her for this well-deserved award!”

Montgomery brings years of experience in the field. Prior to her work at EMU, she served NACAS for 10 years as director of business services.

“We nominated Cheryl because of her dedication,” said NACAS East Regional President Anthony Coschignano, of Swarthmore College. “She steps up to help and volunteer whenever it is needed even outside her role on the board. She was an intricate part of the planning for our regional conferences and our most recent national conference as well.  She is very deserving of this award due to the time she has put into volunteering with the organization.”

Montgomery said she was “humbled and honored” by the recognition.

“NACAS is a group of colleagues that have become my second family for the past 20 years, for 10 years when I worked there and for the last 14 while I’ve been at EMU,” she said. “Staying in touch with other auxiliary professionals allows me to brainstorm challenges I might have with someone that has a solution, or learn about a new way to increase revenue on campus from another institution. It’s been an invaluable connection.” 

Montgomery is also a member of the Association of Collegiate Conferences and Events Directors-International.