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Translate Carlo Vazquez’s Journey with APPA Carlo Vazquez has a career journey that sounds like it was adapted straight from a Hollywood script. Now Senior Director of Facility Services at SSC Services for Education, Carlo’s journey has taken him from managing operations at a university in Mexico to leading campus infrastructure in Texas, with many pivotal […]
Putting Down Roots
St. Mary’s College Gave Mary Grube the Opportunity to Grow Higher education facilities management is often about keeping buildings running. For Mary Grube, it’s also about building people, careers, and community. Now the Assistant Vice President of Finance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Mary’s journey is a story of professional transformation and the power […]
A Turning Point for APPA’s Professional Development Programs
Collaborative Strategy Sessions Fuel Professional Development Growth Our recent strategy session was a pivotal moment in advancing APPA’s commitment to standardizing and scaling our signature professional development programs. With high engagement and shared purpose in the room, we took meaningful steps toward defining how we operate, deliver, and support leadership development across the profession of […]
From the Air Force to Higher Ed
Dave Maharrey’s Lifelong Commitment to Facilities Greatness At APPA’s spring conference in April, members from across North America gathered under the theme “Campuses of the Future.” The organization recognized members for outstanding work in multiple areas. Dave Maharrey received the Meritorious Service Award, an award given to a member who has made significant, life-long contributions […]
A Culture of Care and Innovation
Emory University’s Facilities Team is Setting a New Standard There is a lot expected of a modern university campus. They are hubs for research, innovation, and, often, very formative years of people’s lives. If you asked the facilities team at Emory University, they would tell you that the key to a modern university campus is […]
APPA Unveils Major Digital Transformation
New Website & Member Experience Coming Soon June 2025 — APPA – Leadership in Educational Facilities is excited to announce a comprehensive digital transformation initiative, anchored by the launch of a brand-new website and a suite of modernized member services. This transformation is designed to enhance how APPA members connect, learn, and grow, laying the […]
Congratulations to our APPAU June Graduates
Leadership Academy – Class of June 2025 Haiden Boyles – Auburn University Matt Cyr – The Ohio State University Rory Early – Phillips Exeter Academy Roger Gibson – University of Illinois Chicago Richard Givens – Joliet Junior College Michael Grover – University of Massachusetts Travis Herzog – Hamilton College Funke Jacob – University of Houston […]
APPAU June
Professional Growth, Bold Conversations, and Thought Leadership APPAU June was an extraordinary success—an energizing convergence of thought leadership, innovation, and professional growth. From foundational insights and training in the Institute for Facilities Management to bold conversations on the future of AI in educational operations at Targeted Titles & Topics (T3), every session was a masterclass in facilities education and innovation. […]
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APPA takes part in the AUDE 2025 Annual Conference APPA has several strategic partnerships with fellow associations serving educational facilities professionals. The Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) serves facilities teams for educational institutions across the United Kingdom. AUDE held their annual conference for facility directors from April 28-May 1 in Cardiff, Wales. Over […]
Letter from the Vice President of Professional Development
Reflecting on our recent Spring Conference in New Orleans, I appreciate the energy, engagement, and collaboration that made it a resounding success. This event marked a personal milestone—my first annual conference since joining the APPA staff last December. After more than three decades of volunteering with APPA’s professional development programs, stepping into this role has […]
Celebrating the 2025 APPA Award Winners
At this year’s Spring Conference in New Orleans, APPA proudly honored the 2025 APPA Award recipients during the Awards and Business Meeting on the final day. Four individuals and five institutions were recognized for their exceptional contributions to educational facilities management. Here’s a recap of the remarkable honorees and their achievements. Meritorious Service Award APPA’s […]
Survey Says
Survey Insights from the 2025 APPA Spring Conference The 2025 APPA Spring Conference in New Orleans made a clear impact. Attendees reported high satisfaction with the program’s content, structure, and opportunities for connection. Beyond the strong ratings, one theme stood out: the importance of community and shared learning during a time of rapid change in […]
Workforce Development and Talent Retention Panel
Bridging the Talent Gap: Workforce Development and Talent Retention in Educational Facilities The educational facilities workforce is facing a critical contraction. According to new data from CUPA-HR, the sector has shrunk by 9% overall—with a 4% decline in service maintenance roles and a nearly 8% drop in skilled trades. These numbers underscore a pressing challenge: […]
Opening Keynote with Rex Miller
How to Turn Frustration into a Movement for Positive Change Kicking off APPA’s 2025 Spring Conference in New Orleans, futurist and award-winning author Rex Miller delivered a compelling keynote that inspired deep reflection and renewed energy among educational facilities professionals. With humor, honesty, and a powerful personal narrative, Miller invited the audience to turn their […]
Message from the CEO
Reflections on Our April Spring Conference “What an incredible way to kick off FY26! Our Spring Conference in New Orleans was nothing short of amazing—three days filled with energy, insight, and genuine connection. I left the event inspired, recharged, and more confident than ever in the direction APPA is heading.” We hit the ground running […]
APPA FY26 Strategic Priorities
April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 Introduction In January 2025, the APPA Board of Directors gathered in Fort Worth, TX, for a strategic planning session to shape the organization’s future trajectory. Led by Jeff Shannon, Master Facilitator, the session helped the group define what matters most to APPA’s members, identify key markets, and prioritize […]
Tulane University Tour Highlights Campus Innovation and Sustainability
Kicking off last week’s APPA Spring Conference in New Orleans, 98 members joined a behind-the-scenes tour of Tulane University to explore how the institution is tackling facilities challenges with a blend of innovation, sustainability, and long-term vision. The tour offered a ground-level look at how Tulane is reimagining its campus while preserving the architectural heritage […]
Marketing Strategy + Branding
APPA is turning up the volume on its voice through a new marketing strategy that’s clearer, more consistent, and built for growth. With strategic support from Greenough Communications, our refreshed approach is designed to increase brand awareness, connect with new audiences, and better communicate APPA’s impact on educational facilities across North America. It’s not just […]
Reflecting on APPA Membership
As a family of professionals, we connect with each other to collaborate and stay informed in a rapidly evolving landscape. With change seeming to be the only constant, it is increasingly important for institutions to operate efficiently, update best practices, and implement innovative, flexible solutions. The APPA Spring Conference offered a crucial opportunity for facilities […]
Fresh Faces, New Energy
Team Updates at APPA At APPA, we’re not just growing—we’re evolving—building something stronger, more intentional, and better aligned with who we are and where we’re going. As we move further into 2025, we’re welcoming new team members and sharpening our internal focus to better serve our community and mission, and the energy feels real. First, […]
APPA in Conversation at the 2024 Higher Ed Facilities Forum
How ASU, Vanderbilt, and UW-Madison Are Rethinking Campus Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Space Aging infrastructure, shrinking budgets, workforce competition, and aggressive sustainability goals—none of these are new challenges. But what’s changing is how institutions are choosing to respond. At the 2024 Higher Ed Facilities Forum in Tempe, Arizona, APPA President & CEO Lalit Agarwal joined senior […]
EdSurge Spotlights APPA on the Strategic Role of Campus Design
Better Design Might Be the Next Frontier in Getting Students Back to Campus There’s a shift happening across college campuses. Colleges are starting to treat campus design not just as a matter of aesthetics or capacity but as a strategic tool for shaping the student experience. They’re asking: Does this place make students want to […]
Join Us at APPA-U June in Orlando, FL!
????????????????-???? ???????????? ????????????????-????+ ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????! Join us June 2-5, 2025, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld for a premier professional development experience designed for facilities professionals and leaders in education. Institute for Facilities Management (June 2-5) – Gain essential knowledge and skills for optimizing campus facilities.Leadership Academy (June 3-5) – Develop the leadership strategies needed to navigate […]
