SEAHO Report - Fall 2024 - 10

This part is very tough. They analyze my topic, make sure I align with SEAHO values, check if I fit into the
conference theme, understand which audience works best for my content, and then debate if I could make
sense for multiple different campuses. After that, they meet as a topic group and `rank` us programs. Then the
Category Leads take that information to SEAHO Mid-Year to select the best programs.
There, one committee member remarked, " Is this cutting edge enough? " Another one said, " Does this relate
across institution types? "
Honestly, it felt like they were dissecting me like I was an over illustrated Canva presentation.
SKR: Yikes, sounds stressful. Did you make it out okay?
GPP: Barely! They almost placed me in as an alternate. That's where a proposal is high quality but can't quite
fit in the slate. Alternates are used to fill in slots when people aren't able to attend the conference or if these
things called " Best Ofs " from each state were duplicated with accepted programs. There are so many great
proposals, but one committee member spoke up: " Wait, this proposal might work - let's give it a shot. "
SKR: And then you were accepted, right?
GPP: Not yet! After I passed the committee, I had to be slotted into the conference program slate. This is a
big board where all the potential programs are waiting to see if they will find a place. There are only so many
time slots and rooms, and as I said there are a bunch of other proposals trying to make it in too. I was biting
my paper edges, hoping to get that sweet 10:00 AM Wednesday spot. As I waited to see if I confirmed a spot, I
heard them talking about what audience experience levels and functional areas weren't well provided for in the
slate. They must have been talking for hours trying to consider if there were any content areas missing in the
proposals on the board!
Thankfully, I made it in! But wait, it's not over yet. After the Program Committee felt they were done and had
conference chair approval, the Tri-Presidents (Current, Past, and Incoming) take a look at the entire selection
of programs and give their sign of approval. They could make a schedule change, and my time slot could
get moved around! There are also a bunch of recurring programs that get slotted every year like " Best of "
presentations from each SEAHO state, introduction to Corporate Partners, the SHO Roundtable, and a few
others. Their placement could affect whether us proposals can truly fit in the schedule.
SKR: Wow, this process takes a really long time, and those Program Committee folks really put a lot of time
and energy into getting it right.
GPP: You're telling me! But if everything goes right, the Tri-Presidents sign off, and the traditions programs are
all settled - I'll finally make it into the official conference agenda and Guidebook! Then I'll be presented to a
room full of SEAHO students, grad students, and professionals, hoping they don't check their emails or scroll
Insta the whole time.
SKR: So, you're almost there?
GPP: Almost! I'm just waiting for final confirmation from the Program Committee. Once that's done, they'll
send my authors a confirmation email, and I'll officially be a session at SEAHO, and be Home Sweet Home in
Huntsville!
SKR: And if they don't?
GPP: Well...I'll be sent back to my authors with feedback from the Program Committee, and I can be submitted
for a future conference like SEAHO 2026 in Winston Salem!
SKR: Well good luck, and I hope to see you in the Spring.
I hope this conversation was as helpful to you as it was to me in assisting to understand how program
proposals get selected. If your proposal got selected this year - Congratulations. If it didn't, know that the
program committee took a great deal of time to consider it, and there is always next year.
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SEAHO Report - Fall 2024

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