Dear Members:

I would like to thank Lolo Mercado and El Paso Community College for providing us with a first-class event. It was obvious that this group worked tirelessly to bring us a superb conference. We had excellent sessions, accommodations were wonderful, and the setting was amazing. Thanks so much for making such a huge commitment.

I would also like to thank the JCCSPAT Board of Directors for their service this past year. They have worked to ensure that the organization remains solvent and continues to provide professional development to members. These people have been so giving of their time and service, and are to be commended. Should you have an opportunity, please convey your appreciation to them.

As I begin my service to the organization, there are several concerns that I would like to address. First, I have an overwhelming concern about the future of JCCSPAT. Having been a part of this organization for over 20 years, I have seen our membership dwindle dramatically. Over the years, fewer and fewer student services personnel seem to participate. While I do believe that financial constraints are key factors, I also believe that many are shifting their professional energies towards other organizations such as TACRAO, TACHE, TABPHE, and TASFAA. In the coming months, I want to focus on devising strategies to make JCCSPAT more appealing to every student services professional. I would like to encourage all current, past, and future student services members to make JCCSPAT a priority. We need JCCSPAT and JCCSPAT needs us!

Another area of concern for me is the future of the counseling profession. More and more, higher education institutions are phasing out counseling positions and replacing them with advisors. This trend is gaining momentum, and threatens to stamp out the counseling profession as we know it. It is incumbent upon us to combat the situation. We can accomplish this by making our organization strong in number and voice. The adage that there is safety-- and strength-- in numbers never rang more true.

Finally, I want to encourage continued research in the area of student services. The Darrell Truitt family has been so generous in this regard; there is no reason for us not to take advantage of this wonderful resource.

I am very grateful that you are allowing me an opportunity to serve as your president. I will do my best to represent the organization and uphold the ideals of JCCSPAT. I am looking forward to the coming year and hope that you share in my enthusiasm. Should you have issues that you feel the organization should focus on, please feel free to contact me by email (slang@odessa.edu) or telephone (432/335-6727).

Sherrie Lang, Ed.D.
President, J/CCSPAT

Congratulations!
2008 J/CCSPAT Scholarship Recipient:

Congratulations!
2006 J/CCSPAT Scholarship Recipients:

Click here to view pictures from the 2005 Annual J/CCSPAT Conference.