I’m thrilled to update you on the exciting strides we’ve made in our Division’s Strategic Plan, which we launched just over three months ago. As we navigate through our 5-year journey, several teams have made significant progress, and I’m eager to share their achievements with you:

Goal 1: Engagement and Inclusivity

• Strategy 1: Engagement and Inclusivity
  Nicole James and Laura Anna are leading a detailed review of our division committees. They’ve created comprehensive worksheets that outline each committee’s mission, membership, and key responsibilities. Their work, guided by the Operations Manual and feedback from committee chairs, is also aligned with the Chair Succession plan, ensuring a cohesive approach to meaningful change.
• Strategy 2: Programs & Events
  Our dynamic team—Troy Alivio, Molly Atkinson, Elizabeth Day, Alexey Leontyev, Stephanie Ryan, and Amiee Modic—hosted a fantastic social event at the Spring ACS meeting in New Orleans. This event, co-sponsored by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) and SOCED with support from Michelle Brooks, was a great success. Looking ahead, we’re planning a Fall meeting social to honor Service Award recipient Irv Levy and celebrate a
  distinguished regional high school teacher (details to come). We’ll also be organizing at least one remote gathering between the fall and spring meetings to keep our community engaged.

Goal 2: Professional Development

• Strategy 2: Accessibility for Resources
  Rick Moog and Matt Mio are diving into the Division’s financial structures to optimize the use of our funds. They will present their insights and recommendations at the upcoming Denver meeting.

Goal 3: Identifying and Communicating Value

• Strategy 3: Documentation and Institutional Knowledge
  Adrian Villalta Cerdas has put together an extensive list of DivCHED resources. Robert Kojima will share this valuable compilation during the ExComm open session.

As I review past ExComm meeting minutes, it’s clear that previous leaders have aimed for similar goals as those in our current strategic plan, but sustained progress has been elusive. With our 5-year plan now in action, we’re gaining deeper insights into our division’s operations, which will guide our future decisions. Our collective effort, united by a shared vision and mission, is key to our success. 

Volunteering remains the heartbeat of our progress. Whether you’re elected or self-appointed, your contribution is crucial. We’re exploring ways for members to volunteer at various levels, including “micro” opportunities that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. To help new members get involved, I’ve created videos titled *Getting to Know the ACS Division of Chemical Education* and *How to Join the ACS Division of Chemical Education* that I have posted to my LinkedIN account. We also hosted a symposium at the BCCE on *Inside the Division of Chemical
Education*—a big thank you to Stephanie Ryan for the idea and Kim Cortes for her support and all the people who presented. Heather Johnson helped distribute nametags with QR codes linking to DivCHED membership information. Blain Mamiya collaborated with an artist to create a poster that enthusiastically invites new members to join us. Additionally, Minjung Ryu and Santiago Sandi–Ureña have prepared a language survey to understand the linguistic diversity within DivCHED. Keep an eye out for this survey in your email.

Website Updates
We’re teaming up with BlueSpark to enhance our website’s goals and functionality. Stay tuned for a more accessible and feature-rich website coming soon.

Operations Manual
Member at Large, Amiee Modic, is diligently working on updating the Operations Manual. While progress has been challenging, we are optimistic that a finalized version will be available by Spring 2025, with plans for regular reviews and updates thereafter.

As my term as Chair concludes, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all Division members and those serving on our committees and boards. Your dedication and hard work are deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment.

Warm regards,

Resa Kelly
Chair, Division of Chemical Education