Pleasant greetings, San Diego!
As you’re reading this, can you believe that January is over already? It feels like just a couple of days ago, we were counting down the final seconds of 2023, prepared to eat our grapes (if you can relate) to promise good luck, and awaken the next day with a brand new start to grow even stronger than in the years past. As we march into February, I am delighted to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you.
Navigating the new terrain of chairmanship is a journey that has had a great start for me. In these notes, I’d like to specifically extend my gratitude to my fellow executive committee team, for their guidance and support in behind-the-scenes work that is sure to revolutionize the way our Local Section can carry out initiatives in further connecting with our membership base.
Speaking of our membership base, I am continually inspired by the dedication and innovation displayed by our student affiliate chapters. The passion and commitment of our members, particularly the emerging leaders in our student chapters, have been nothing short of remarkable. In particular, participating as a panelist at the recent UCSD student chapter’s Professional Career Panel event was an enriching experience and wonderful opportunity to connect with many first and second-year students who very much remind me of myself a few years ago. If there was anything I hoped to accomplish that evening, it was to empower and inspire those bright students that they will always have a home and community in the Local Section. After all, your enthusiasm for advancing the goals of ACS is truly the driving force behind our collective success.
Student Affiliate Chapters and Graduate Student Organizations, please also be aware that the San Diego Chemist newsletter would love to highlight some of your recent accomplishments here! If you would like a page in upcoming editions of the newsletter, please use the contact information listed at the last page to get in contact with our lovely editor, Carolina Ibarra, before the 15th of every month. The ACS is a community of diverse talents and shared aspirations, and I am excited to share the incredible contributions that each of you will make in the coming year.
Warm wishes,
Christina Vialva