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Jackson State University’s Kamesha Hill, executive director of Auxiliary Enterprises, was recently appointed to the International Collegiate Licensing Association (ICLA) Board of Directors. Alla Jeanae Frank, assistant director of Auxiliary Enterprises, was named to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Collegiate Auxiliary Enterprises (NACAS).
Hill will serve as a member of the ICLA Board of Directors, while Frank will serve as Membership Coordinator at the regional and national board level for NACAS.
“As we continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and as a representative from a historically Black university and small conference, I will serve as the voice for the underrepresented population of the organization and collegiate realm,” said Hill, who will serve as a member on the Board of Directors for four years fulfilling the mission of the Board.
The mission of ICLA is to foster high professional and ethical standards while providing collegiate licensing practitioners with a broad range of professional advancement opportunities. Through her four-year appointment, Hill will work to fulfill the Board’s mission to promote and enhance the collegiate licensing industry through the education and development of its professionals.
NACAS’s goal is to support the non-academic higher education segment “responsible for generating business through a diverse array of campus services that students need and value – such as food services, bookstores, housing, and transportation.”
“The possibilities are endless. Campus operations are the legs of the school. It’s how people move. People identify themselves through what they like, [and] what they enjoy,” said Frank, “You get to have a lot of influence, and that is something I do not take for granted.”
With the appointment to these positions, Hill and Frank gain access to promising vendor collaborations, branding opportunities with prominent companies, and continuous training that allows the institution to stay privy to industry adjustments.
“For over 25 years, JSU Auxiliary Enterprises and Contractual Services has remained committed to sharpening our tactics allowing for employees within the department to gain hands-on training, networking opportunities, and industry trends on trademark licensing,” said Hill, who has more than 16 years of experience in trademark licensing and marketing.
Before her appointment, Hill remained an active member of ICLA and a vocal advocate for several issues specific to HBCUs’ visual identity, including the rise of Jackson State’s brand and the need for the organization for more diversity and inclusion in the licensing process.
The executive director said she anticipates the fruition of new partnerships and uncharted pathways for HBCUs as JSU’s visual brand continues its exponential growth.
Like Hill, Frank is passionate and committed to the university’s mission. She envisions a limitless future for the HBCU as long as the mission remains to create an institution where everyone feels seen and nurtured.
Frank also said she looks forward to the collaborative efforts and industry wisdom that comes with partnering with peer institutions. In addition to gaining knowledge, she also understands JSU’s influence.
“Fortunately for us, Jackson State was already a global brand that captured people’s eyes, and now we want to build off this new momentum. We must capitalize on this moment to create a deeper legacy and express the university’s mission statement and vision in a fashion that is cohesive to the university’s brand,” she explained.
The primary objective of the Division of Auxiliary Enterprises at JSU is to enhance the university experience for students, faculty, and staff by delivering quality, effective and efficient products and services that aid in creating a campus brimming with innovative technology and services.
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Media Contact: Kyle.d.kidd-buckner@jsums.edu