As I write this, the national meeting in San Diego is just two weeks away! For many of us, it will be the first spring national meeting we have attended in person since 2019. That seems almost impossible to imagine that it’s been that long since we gathered. And of course, many of us will not be present in San Diego as it’s still not safe for many of us to travel who have young children unable to be vaccinated and/or are immunocompromised or have loved ones who are immunocompromised. On that note, please carefully review the schedule of CHED meetings to identify opportunities to participate virtually as your time and interests permit. Ditto for the chock-full program of symposia and talks scheduled for the week!

My time “in the chair succession,” as we fondly refer to it, is now ⅔ done. Our chair for 2021 is Vicente Talanquer from the University of Arizona, and our chair-elect is Kim Linenberger Cortes from Kennesaw State University. I’m sure you will all join me in thanking them for their service and offer your support in the form of time and talents as you can to the many initiatives that CHED offers its members. I hope you will take a moment to review the list of CHED committees - is there one you’d like to volunteer to serve on? Get to know more about? Reach out and let us know! Remember that most committees have open meetings and I encourage you to join us (in person or virtually) to listen and learn what our colleagues are up to as we advocate for chemistry education and support the teachers and learners of this discipline that we love!