Happy New Year!!! Welcome to 2012 and another year filled with teaching, research and always remember SERVICE! The SESCA Federation is looking to start getting volunteers ready to take over the vacant leadership positions that will be available this summer. I know that there will be many of you that have ideas on how SESCA should continue to move forward and I welcome you to run for office in the spring. Please contact me as you decide to run!! This is going to be a big election year and why shouldn’t you get involved as well!
 
I’m sure that many of you went to or had students attend the Graduate Conference in Auburn, AL January 4th, 2012. There are always many exciting presentations and discussions that occur at that conference. I hope that you saw some outstanding students and got some great research ideas at the conference. It’s always a great place to network and share ideas for research and teaching, as well as getting a chance to unwind with colleagues before the spring semester starts.
 
As I am trying to help move the SESCA Federation together from two very strong chapters (SECHRIE and FL/Caribbean CHRIE) I am trying to reach out to each of the chapter leadership. I wanted to let you know that SECHRIE will be holding their annual Career Expo and conference on February 17th, 2012 in Atlanta, GA. They are welcoming any member of any of the areas that are covered by the SESCA Federation, so join in the fun learning experience for you and your students!
 
The Career Expo will be on Friday, February 17 from 9:00 am—1:00 pm at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building C. Hospitality programs from around the Southeast (including both members of SECHRIE and FL/Caribbean CHRIE) are invited to attend. There is no charge for students/faculty. The Spring SECHRIE meeting will be held in conjunction with the Expo with the meeting starting with a continental breakfast from 8:30 – 9:00 am. Research presentations will start at 9:00 am with the business meeting combined with a working lunch. Companies interested in exhibiting are encouraged to visit the Career Expo website: http://robinson.gsu.edu/career/1116.html
 
If there are any questions regarding the Expo, please contact Dr. Debby Cannon at dfcannon@gsu.edu or 404-413-7617.

This spring we are working toward having more SECHRIE and FL/Caribbean CHRIE members attend the Career Fair and get together to learn more about research that we are all working on. We are also going to try to have a meeting in Florida that all of the Federation will be invited to as well. I will let you know more information about this as it becomes available.
 
Please keep me informed as we have events and conferences in the Southeast, South and Central Americas and I will spread the word!