Dear DivCHED Members,
I am excited about this year ahead and all that is already in plans across the Division. Thank you for your continued engagement, enthusiasm, and dedication to our community.
Thank you to our outgoing Executive Committee Members
I would like to thank all the Executive Committee members who completed their service at the end of 2025. Your leadership and commitment strengthened the Division and supported out mission in meaningful ways.
Resa Kelly, 2024 DivCHED Chair
Laura Anna, 2025 Interim Secretary
Renee Cole, Biennial Conference Committee Chair
Ryan Sweeder, Program Committee Chair
Welcome to our new Executive Committee Members
I am delighted to welcome the new members joining the Executive Committee in 2026. Thank you for your willingness to serve and lead.
Steve Wietstock, DivCHED Chair-Elect
Ryan Stowe, DivCHED Secretary/Councilor
Carly Schnoebelen, Biennial Conference Committee Co-Chair
Pam Clevenger, Program Committee Chair
Thank you to our new Committee Chairs
We also have several new committee chairs stepping into leadership roles this year. Committee work is the backbone of DivCHED, and we are grateful for your service.
Elizabeth Day, Chemical Education Research Committee
Bonnie Hall, Committee on Computers in Chemical education Committee
Michelle Herridge, Early Career Chemistry Education Scholars Committee
Jon Gittens, Finance Committee
Adrian Villalta-Cerdas, International Activities Committee
Pam Clevenger, Program Committee
Troy Alivio, Public Relations Committee
Lance English, 2YC3
Strategic Plan – Phase 2
I am excited about the progress the Division has made in advancing our strategic plan. In 2025, we established the Strategic Plan Oversight Committee (SPOC) to institutionalize our approach to implementing the strategic plan and to coordinate implementation efforts and ensure sustained momentum. SPOC has made great progress, including forming new task forces to move initiative forward.
Nicole James, SPOC chair, has written an article in this newsletter with more details about the Division’s progress, and the committee is also leading upcoming updates to the website. If you are interested in being a part of the strategic plan initiatives, please contact Nicole or me. We would love to involve more members in this work.
Fostering Collaboration within the Division
Our committees play a critical role in shaping the Division: supporting members, advancing programming, strengthening communication, managing our publications and exams, overseeing our finances, and implementing our strategic priorities. As our goals become more interconnected, we want to build stronger communication and collaboration across committees.
Last Friday (2/27), we held our first Committee Chairs Meeting to begin this conversation. The meeting was energetic with many ideas, highlighting numerous shared priorities and possibilities for deeper collaboration. This is just the beginning, there early connections will grow into partnerships, shared projects, and more cohesive efforts that will benefit our members and advance our strategic priorities.
Two New ACS DAC Grants Support DivCHED Initiatives
DivCHED is pleased to announce two recent grants awarded to the Division by the ACS Divisional Activities Committee (DAC), supporting both ethical-practice initiatives and the strengthening of our digital communication infrastructure.
Innovative Project Grant (IPG) – Ethics in Chemistry
Last fall, in collaboration with the Division of Professional Relations (PROF) and the Division of Chemistry and the Law (CHAL), the Divisions received a collaborative Innovative Project Grant (IPG) (total funds $25,000) to support the project “International discourse and production of materials to enhance standards and communication of ethical practices in chemistry.”
Led by Susan Schelble (PROF Chair and DivCHED member) with Gina Frey (DivCHED Chair) as a collaborator, the project will support Pacifichem 2025 presenters and produce both an ACS Symposium Series volume and a prototype ethics exam. These resources will support institutions working to meet ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) expectations for ethics instruction.
Communication Infrastructure Grant – Strengthening Digital Engagement
In February, DivCHED received a second DAC award ($6400) through the Communication Infrastructure Grant Program (CIG). Led by Heather Ryan (DivCHED Executive Assistant) and Gina Frey, this project will enhance the Division’s digital communication systems, including the website, social media, newsletters, and email platforms, by improving clarity, accessibility, and consistency across all platforms to more effectively and inclusively engage members. An external consultant will provide guidance on strategic planning and evaluation, with progress monitored through analytics, accessibility improvements, and community feedback.
BCCE 2026 – Coming this July!
We look forward to gathering at the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) this July at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Big thanks to the BCC committee (chaired by Justin Carmel, and Carly Schnoebelen) and the conference team (led by Sam Pazicni) for their outstanding work. The program is shaping up to be an exciting and enriching event, and I hope to see many of you there.
Monthly DivCHED Office Hours
Building on the work of prior leadership, I have been hosting a monthly community “Office Hour” on the second or third Thursday of each month. We have been having great questions about the Division, lively conversation, and rich discussions about pedagogy and teaching. It has been great fun to connect.
⏰ Time: Noon–1 pm PT | 1–2 pm MT | 2–3 pm CT | 3–4 pm ET
📍 Zoom Link: https://utah.zoom.us/j/8055139296
Upcoming Dates:
• Mar 12 (2nd Thursday)
• Apr 16
• May 14 (2nd Thursday)
• …and more through December!
These are informal, open discussions, come to share ideas, ask questions, or simply connect with colleagues.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Atlanta in a few weeks for the ACS Spring Meeting. Thank you for your continued commitment to the Division. With your energy, expertise, and enthusiasm, we will continue to strengthen the Division and advance chemical education together.
Kind Regards,
Gina Frey
Chair, Division of Chemical Education