As we enter the month of July everyone in higher education knows that means a new fiscal year. Another thing that happens this time a year is the newly elected board and chairs of HETMA take over. As you might be aware from April 2021 until June 2024 I served as the Three Year at Large Board Member for HETMA. Now that my term as board member is complete I would like to use this month’s article more as a letter to HETMA.
To Joe and BC:
I first would like to thank the co-founders of HETMA, Joe Way and BC Hatchett. The vision from these two allowed not only the other board members but even the general membership to come together and achieve so much in such a short time frame. It was an honor to serve on the board under their leadership. During our board meetings you could feel the passion these two had for this organization.
To The Board I Served With:
Over the three years I was able to work with some amazing board members. Some of them served one year terms while others served during my whole term. Each board member brought something different to the table. These differences, I feel, help drive HETMA forward. I learned a lot of leadership style and ideas from these other board members. I felt our meetings were always productive and respectful while everyone voiced their point.
To Erin and Ryan:
During my term on the board, BC stepped down allowing Erin to step into the co-chair. Without missing a beat Erin stepped in and continued to provide great leadership and insight as we continued to shape and grow HETMA. Now with Joe stepping aside and handing over the reins to Erin as the chair, HETMA needed a new co-chair. When I heard Ryan was going to be the new co-chair I couldn’t have thought of a better person. I have the utmost confidence in Erin and Ryan to continue to grow HETMA and I look forward to see what HETMA will achieve under their leadership.
To the new Three Year At Large:
Serving as the Three Year At Large was an honor. I did not take the position lightly and always went into discussions with one thing in mind ‘what would be best for the members.’ When I knew I was not going to run for any board seat I started thinking of who was a member I felt would continue that mindset. When the nominations were posted and I saw Britt’s name on the ballot for the Three Year At Large I knew she would be one to continue that mindset. This was even confirmed when Britt and I had a call for me to transfer the Three Year At Large’s information over to her. Britt has been doing amazing stuff and I know she will do amazing stuff as the Three Year At Large while keeping the mindset of ‘what would be best for the members’.
To HETMA’s members:
Lastly to the HETMA members. It was an honor to be your voice during our board meetings. I hope I represent you all properly. I never imagined what HETMA would achieve in this short time frame but I always tried to respents the members. As I stated above I know Britt will continue to represent the members of HETMA while she serves her term.
In closing:
I could go on in each of those sections for pages but I am sure you all do not want to read that. I will wrap this up by saying to the newly elected HETMA board, I wish you all the best of luck and I know you will continue to drive this wonderful organization in the right direction. Even though I am no longer on the board, that doesn’t mean I will no longer be active. I am looking forward to continuing to help HETMA out where and when I can. I also encourage other members to get involved. There are many great committees within HETMA who will welcome you in with open arms.