Betsy Hutula, ACM’s longest-serving current employee, has a number of crucial responsibilities, including administering cross-campus collaborations and overseeing operations and human resources.
The Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) is celebrating a major milestone in service by its longest-tenured current staffer. The summer of 2024 marks the twentieth anniversary of Betsy Hutula joining ACM full-time.
“I’m always learning something new,” said Hutula, ACM’s chief operating officer and vice president for administration. “There’s always a new and special project here and I don’t ever know what my day will look like—I think that’s what has kept this work so exciting for twenty years.”
The native of Michigan first came to ACM in March of 2004 in a part-time position, filling a temporary vacancy. The organization permanently added Hutula to the staff later that year and she has held a variety of roles in the two decades since. Today, she oversees operations and human resources, works closely with ACM’s board of directors and advisory board of deans, manages ACM’s tuition exchange program, and administers cross-campus collaborations that strive to strengthen ACM member institutions in areas such as human resources, admissions and student life.
“Every day, I’m interacting with multiple colleges, supporting them in the many ways they serve their students,” Hutula said, adding that her favorite part of the job is collaborating with faculty and staff from the fourteen ACM colleges—both virtually and during at least four or five in-person campus visits per year. “That’s been really rewarding.”
Kate Virgo, the director of enrollment information systems at Beloit College, frequently works with Hutula, and praised her for what Virgo called “her ability to speak fluently about all higher ed topics, from finance to admissions to technology to academics.”
For example, in June of 2024, Virgo and colleagues from the ACM Admissions Systems and Operations Group attended a two-day summit in Chicago which Hutula organized and led. The gathering aimed to foster productive conversations about how data sharing can help small colleges perform better. It also provided professional networking opportunities and valuable new technical knowledge for the talented experts who manage enrollment management databases.
“We left energized and with new friends and colleagues,” Virgo said of the meeting. “[Betsy] is respected across the ACM, and is a tremendous asset to the organization. Congratulations and thank you for twenty years at ACM!”
Before joining ACM, Hutula held a deep and personal appreciation for the power of a liberal arts education. The graduate of Albion College studied art history and political science, with a concentration in public policy and service. Hutula described Albion, which is a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association, as resembling many ACM campuses in terms of its size and what she termed “its vibe.”
“My experience at Albion was one where I was always encouraged to try new things and take risks,” Hutula recalled, explaining she hopes to be a part of ensuring the liberal arts tradition continues to change young people’s lives in positive ways. “I like to think every ACM student is also trying new things and challenging themself each semester, and forming lifelong relationships in the process.”
Hutula said the ACM’s “ability to adapt to meet the challenges of the moment” has kept her engaged with the consortium’s work. She cited ACM’s shift in 2019 away from managing international off-campus study programs to new strategic priorities to create inclusive spaces, cultivate the next generation of academic leaders, and encourage excellence in teaching and learning. Those new missions will be vital, Hutula predicted, as small liberal arts institutions continue to confront challenges like enrollment shifts, turnover in academic leadership, and a turbulent national political climate.
“I think ACM is important because we can oftentimes pivot more quickly than institutions can,” Hutula said. “A big part of this job is staying nimble, as well as change management, and I hope I’ve helped our organization stay relevant and helpful in anticipating needs on campuses.”
On the twentieth anniversary of Betsy’s term of service to ACM, her colleagues expressed gratitude for her many contributions and for the enthusiasm she brings to her work.
“The institutional knowledge and countless connections Betsy has amassed with ACM have undoubtedly made us a stronger organization,” said ACM President Lisa Jasinski. “Her dedication and level of care are true assets as we continue our mission to make our fourteen campuses increasingly more vibrant and effective places to teach and learn.”
“Betsy’s longevity at ACM and her amazing attention to detail enrich every aspect of ACM’s work in support of our colleges,” said Brian Williams, ACM’s vice president for strategic initiatives. “We and our colleges are so fortunate to have her leadership.”
Allen Linton II, the senior director of equity, diversity and inclusion at ACM, said Hutula possesses a special balance of kindness and knowledge that fosters meaningful collaboration between campus colleagues.
“Thanks to Betsy, ACM can reliably and quickly respond to campus needs, turning conversation into actionable collaborative initiatives,” Linton added.
Having now crossed the twenty-year mark in her career with ACM, Hutula said she has found herself reflecting on the many people she forged positive relationships with over the years. She said she is confident those colleagues have had a profound impact on countless students and on the world.
“I found my place,” Hutula said of ACM. “I’m really excited to find out what ACM is going to do next, and where we can be most helpful and supportive to our campuses.”
