These are strange times, and, for many of you reading this, they are also scary times. For our colleagues in California, especially around Los Angeles, the January wildfires destroyed lives, neighborhoods, homes, and a sense of stability that most of us take for granted every day. For those of you across the country whose work focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, and/or federal funding—including those on our Federal Funding Task Force—there’s no clear path forward. 

So it seems silly to write about our conferences, webinars, updated Communities, and other CASE happenings. But what we do, and what you do, is important. Your work helping students, faculty, and staff at community and technical colleges across the United States matters, and everyone at CASE is proud to support you. 

Those of you who volunteer for CASE as district cabinet members, conference planning committee members, and in various other leadership roles, remind us that there are generous folks out there willing to give up their professional and personal time to share their expertise with others. You see people in your communities doing the same thing as they serve on your foundation and college boards, plan special events, make connections to key prospects, and demonstrate their passion for your school right when you need it. There’s a lot of negativity out there but there sure is a lot of positivity around us, too.

With that in mind, I’m hoping these tips can help you stay positive:

Get informed, but don’t overdo it: There’s so much going on and I’ve been trying to keep up with it all, but fatigue has set in. Sound familiar? I’ve decided to skim the headlines, read or watch stories most relevant to higher education, and pay most attention to the advocacy organizations that are developing strategies to combat changes that may not be supportive of our schools and students. One of my favorites are the American Council on Education’s dotEDU webinars (and podcasts). Follow this link to review what they’ve been broadcasting and what’s ahead. Next, if you don’t already subscribe to the American Association of Community College’s daily newsletter, you should! Click here. And, of course, attend the CASE 2025 Legislative Update on Feb. 28 from 1-2 p.m. (EST). Register here.

Share your successes—loudly!: Your representatives need to know the impact your school makes on your community. Tell them how your scholarship programs and workforce development initiatives improve lives and local businesses. You don’t have to “talk politics”—just focus on how your school provides opportunity with excellence. I know, for many of you, common sense feels scarce these days, but I still believe that the more they know about you, the more difficult it will be for them to cut financial support.

Be careful: While most of higher ed is worried right now, you have students, faculty, staff, and members of the community who feel very positive about the changes being made. Maybe you feel that way, too! Overall, don’t assume everyone is on your side, whatever side that may be. As advancement leaders, you are top cheerleaders for your institutions, not politicians or political parties. 

Network: Use the new CASE Communities online platform to share frustrations, check in with colleagues in your advancement field, and—especially for those of you in rural, small shops—to not feel alone. Our Conference for Community College Advancement isn’t until Oct. 8-10, 2025, in New Orleans, but perhaps consider attending a district conference or another in-person program over the spring or summer to get away from your campus for a few days and focus on your professional development. 

One of my favorite quotes seems appropriate right now: “Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” Please know that CASE and I are here to support you and your institutions as you find peace amidst the 2025 chaos.