Since our meeting in San Francisco last August, I am delighted to report that we have made significant strides forward. It has been a period of intense collaboration and dedication, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.
One of our primary initiatives following the San Francisco meeting was the launch of not one, but two Listening Sessions. These sessions provided invaluable insights from members of our Division about their experiences, concerns, and suggestions for improvement. Additionally, we conducted a comprehensive survey to further assess the needs of our Division, and a task force on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access diligently reviewed our operations, providing invaluable recommendations for our Strategic Plan.
Throughout these endeavors, overarching themes emerged, emphasizing the importance of engagement and inclusivity. We recognized the need to reach out to various stakeholders, engage them actively, and make DivCHED more inclusive. Addressing the resource gap for educators at different academic levels emerged as a critical concern, alongside the necessity of effectively communicating the value of DivCHED to attract and retain members.
All these efforts were undertaken with a singular goal: to inform our strategic planning process. In this regard, I must extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated team of individuals who worked tirelessly to craft our vision, mission, goals, and strategies. Despite facing fluctuating weather conditions, this team of sixteen people convened and demonstrated unwavering commitment to our cause. Their hard work culminated in the presentation of our Strategic Plan at the Town Hall held on February 9th.
I would be remiss not to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to this endeavor. Special thanks are due to Vicente Talanquer, Rick Moog, and Jennifer Lewis, who collaborated with me on various preparations. Moreover, I extend my gratitude to each member of the strategic plan team: Scott Hawkins, Troy Alivio, Matt Mio, Adrian Villalta-Cerdas, Amiee Modic, Robert Kojima, Rick Moog, Jennifer Lewis, Laura Anna, Paulette Vincent-Ruz, Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy, Thom Bussey, Nicole James, and Ryan Stowe. Your dedication and hard work have laid the foundation for our future success.
I must also acknowledge Thom Bussey for his unwavering support and collaboration throughout this journey. He is your chair elect for 2025. Together, we will move forward united in our vision. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to past chair Kim Cortes for her assistance despite family hardships she has endured.
I extend a warm welcome to Ryan Sweeder as he steps into the position of Program Chair for the Division, succeeding Patrick Daubenmire, who provided several years of excellent service. Furthermore, I wish to thank Bill Carroll and Larry Kranich for conducting an outstanding Strategic Planning workshop.