WELCOME FROM ERICA CHANG, SASE NATIONAL

This year is the celebration of the 10th annual SASE National This year was a year of many tribulations and changes, but the passion Conference and STEM Career Fair. The theme “2020 Vision” of our SASE volunteers remains the same. Conference planning is a embodies SASE’s mission of developing leaders, celebrating worthwhile whirlwind. It would not be possible without the help of all diversity, and giving back. Many leaders have a vision and plan, but the National Conference volunteers. I would like to personally thank unexpected events can occur. Regardless, we have to rise to the all the National Conference volunteers over the last 10 years for challenge and remain resilient through change. their dedication and passion in fulfilling the SASE mission. Without This conference has grown tremendously since I joined the National able to put together such a tremendous event each year. Conference Planning Team five years ago, and it is my honor and pleasure to welcome Planning National Conference has helped you to this year’s spectacular event. Ten years me hone my leadership skills, so I urge you ago, SASE’s first national conference had to consider volunteering for SASE nationally, around 30 volunteers and 32 sponsors. Since “I challenge you to apply the whether it is through the National Conference, then, both numbers have tripled, and last new skills that you’ll learn from Marketing, Leadership, HR, Development, year we had over 3,000 attendees. In light keynote speakers, workshops, Collegiate, or Professional committees. Many of current events, this year’s conference has taken a drastic turn, but we are maintaining SASE’s core values. SASE is hosting a virtual conference, strengthening our membership, and mentors to continue working toward your goals for the next 10 years.” previous SASE volunteers have served as my mentors in developing a vision of the leader I would like to become, so I urge you to reach out to myself or any National SASE volunteer and providing more opportunities for about how we’ve grown our soft skills and participation. While this is a new format, we leadership skills through volunteering. Ask continue to provide high-quality content while us about how you can continue your SASE expanding our programming. journey past the collegiate level and into your professional life. Some returning highlights of this year’s conference include the you to be a part of something bigger than yourself and join the 5th annual SASEbowl, 6th annual SASEhack, and a Science nationwide network. Networking session. As our professional membership continues to grow, we have new initiatives this year, including API-oriented I look forward to seeing you in person in Atlanta for next year’s leadership development sessions from 10+ industry-leading API conference! training professionals and more than a dozen API executive panels exclusively for professionals. These next few weeks will be actionERICA CHANG packed with a plethora of events to attend, so take advantage of National Conference Committee Chair all these opportunities! I challenge you to apply the new skills that you’ll learn from keynote speakers, workshops, and mentors to continue working toward your goals for the next 10 years. the volunteers, we would not have the community we have and be Whether you are a collegiate or professional member, I challenge