SEAHO Report - Fall 2024 - 4

SEAHO PRESIDENT
Hello, SEAHO Family!
Happy fall (or autumn if that's your bag) to you all! The reality is that by the
time you're reading this, we are well into the season of fall and a month or less
from completing the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Honestly,
I am always amazed and confounded by how quickly the fall semester seems
to pass. We spend so much time and effort focusing on students' arrival and
transition to campus that by the time we come up for air, it's time for midterms. I
often find myself around this time of the year trying to sort out what I had hoped
to accomplish in October and November, both professionally and personally,
and being realistic about how I am going to prioritize those things. I suppose
that after two decades of living in and navigating this environment I would like
to think I would be more adept, but every year I seem to glean something new
from my experiences - this year has been no different.
This year, those learning moments have taken on the form of events - in
the past, presently, on-going, and those in the future - that are shaping
and influencing the way we are doing our work. Hurricanes Helene and Milton have literally reshaped our
region through their impacts. The upcoming Presidential election will affect us and our students in ways both
anticipated and not. We have also recently passed the one-year anniversary of the assault on Israel by Hamas,
and that has certainly impacted our students, staff, and institutions and will undoubtedly continue to do so. We
are all being affected by these events in different ways. While many of us, our departments and divisions, and
institutions are prepared for many of these eventualities, no one is completely prepared for the actual impact
that might have. And of course, we either lead or provide support through our Housing departments through
these difficult scenarios, and still are providing support and services for our residents through all of it. We're
housing - that's what we do!
Here is what I will say about that. Avoid those tendencies and practices that we know lead to us not being
well and feeling burnt out. Give yourself permission to use the time you have earned and/or accumulated to
recuperate. To borrow a wise adage, " You cannot pour from an empty cup. " It's better to take that time, recenter,
and get well so that we can be a better version of ourselves. You, your team, your family/friends/furchildren
and your social networks will be appreciative of those efforts. Take care of yourself so you can provide
the care for others that you so willingly give.
I also know that there are many of us out there who are either in need of help or assistance to navigate these
situations or we are eager to offer our services and talents to those who might need them. Thankfully, I know
we are all mindful that the best kind of help is that which is sought and asked for. Please know that if you are
in the group who needs any sort of help or assistance that your SEAHO friends, family, and colleagues are
here and ready to assist. We want to provide that in the way that will best serve you, so please don't hesitate to
reach out and let me know what it is that you might need (president@seaho.org).
We recently wrapped up SEAHO's Midyear meeting in Huntsville with the Governing Council, Sweet Home
SEAHO Conference Host Committee, and the Program Committee coming together to do the business of our
Association ahead of our time together at our annual conference. I want to thank Aubree Adams (SEAHO 2025
Conference Coordinator) and Stephanie Rewitzer (Program Committee Chair) for their leadership during that
time and for setting us on a path to host a truly amazing conference in February! Overall, our time together
was a great way for us to re-energize and engage in some great discussion about SEAHO and what we can
be doing to ensure its success moving forward. Congratulations to those of you who have been offered an
opportunity to present - we look forward to what you have to share with us in Huntsville. It takes a tremendous,
collaborative effort to make our annual conference a successful one. That includes you registering to attend
and making plans to actively participate during that time!
Make no mistake, this is the busiest time of the year for SEAHO. You're going to be receiving a lot of
information from the Host Committee, program committee, committee chairs, state representatives, and
Executive Board in the coming weeks and months. We are actively seeking award nominations and
nominations for colleagues who might want to run for and serve in an elected SEAHO Executive position. We
will be looking for volunteers and program moderators for the conference. You will start to hear some about
RELI 2025 before too long. There will be a lot. Please take the time to share these announcements with your
colleagues at your host institution and do not assume that someone else will take the lead regarding SEAHO. It
truly is the greatest time of the year for our Association, just like many of us feel about fall/autumn.
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SEAHO Report - Fall 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEAHO Report - Fall 2024