A Message from the 2024-2025 ISSOTL President

Dear ISSOTL Community,

It is with great honor that I step into the role of President of ISSOTL for the upcoming year. I extend a warm welcome to Michael Rifenburg, Susannah McGown, and Sarah Langbridge as they join our dedicated Board.

Over the past year, our Board has been tirelessly working on several key initiatives aimed at not only preserving the vitality of our Society but also fostering growth within the ISSOTL community. Our goal is to create a sustainable, inclusive, and supportive environment for SoTL activity and research across both our established and emerging regions.

At the Annual Business Meeting in October, during the ISSOTL 2024 conference in French Lick, Indiana, we will showcase the progress we’ve made over the past year. I strongly encourage all conference attendees to join us.

In my candidacy statement for President-Elect, I emphasized my commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our members. I remain dedicated to promoting equitable and diverse opportunities for SoTL projects and partnerships at local, national, and international levels. I will continue to collaborate with the ISSOTL Board and committees to broaden the reach of SoTL to underrepresented nations and advocate for student-as-partner opportunities and supports.

Those who know me can attest to my passion for SoTL and my unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration within the SoTL community. I always say “SoTL is my favorite four letter ‘S’ Word.” I am equally committed to working with the ISSOTL Board to ensure our society’s financial sustainability, enabling us to support scholarly activities and research for years to come.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or comments. I eagerly anticipate meeting you in Indiana this October, where we will welcome both newcomers to ISSOTL and our returning friends. If you are new to ISSOTL, I encourage you to attend the first-timers reception, where you will meet not only other newcomers but also those who have been part of the conference for some time. We are all here to support your success.

If you get a chance, please do stop me for a chat or to introduce yourself. I am extremely excited about the year ahead and look forward to working with all of you. Wishing you all the best.

Melanie Hamilton, ISSOTL President