What a blessing it has been to be a member of the chair succession this year. I have learned so much about our community and the richness of your talents and dedication to our profession.  A special thanks goes to Gina Frey and Thom Bussey for their strong and caring leadership of the division, and to Heather Ryan for her dedication and support in advancing the division’s work.  I continue to learn from this team every day. 

For the past several months, the chair succession has been meeting with each of the chairs of committees and boards.  Thank you to each of them for their energy and dedication to advancing chemical education through their committee work.  Without these individuals we would not be the division that we are today.  

I have been working closely with the Board of Publications, the Finance Committee and the Strategic Planning Oversight Committee (SPOC) over the past several months.  We are excited to see the vision of our new ChemEd X Editor-in-Chief Jack Barbera and the future plans for ChemEd X.  Our Finance Committee has been hard at work on developing next year’s budget with record budget requests from committees.  I view this as an encouraging development that our committees are working hard on your behalf.  SPOC has been actively creating, developing, and implementing plans to implement the division’s 2024 Strategic Plan.  Many members of the division have been asked to participate in these working groups and we look forward to the fruits of their labors in the coming months.  I encourage you to join the open committee sessions to learn more about the many activities taking place across the division and to become actively involved in these committees.

A special shout-out goes to the Biennial Conference Committee and chairs Carly Schnoebelen and Justin Carmel on shepherding another successful BCCE.  Special thanks also go to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, general chair Sam Pazicni and program chair Debbie Herrington for the hours of work and planning to make this a wonderful week of learning, renewal and fellowship.  However, this meeting takes many individuals to make it work – including the symposia organizers, workshop leaders, and of course the many presenters.  Thank you to everyone who participated!

It takes many individuals for the work of the division to keep moving forward.  I strongly ask that you consider how YOU might become actively involved in the work of the division.  Please consider responding to the call to register with the Committee on Personnel and Nominations to serve on a committee or board or use the form on the website to express your interest.  

Thank you for your commitment to the division and to advancing chemical education. I am excited for the upcoming year as we continue building a supportive, forward-thinking and vibrant community.

All my best for a new academic year,

Steve Wietstock
Chair Elect, ACS Division of Chemical Education