Welcome to 2025! The start of a new year is a time when we often take stock of our lives. It’s a time when we make resolutions and work to make changes for ourselves and those around us. It’s also a time of reflection and starting new things. Given these two themes, CASE is excited to bring you a new column here in BriefCASE to highlight stories, events, and people across our U.S./Canada region to help you to engage, learn, and expand your CASE community.   

This column is brought to you by Grant Kollet and Chase Moore, both Executive Directors for the U.S./Canada region. I (Grant) came to CASE from the Pacific Northwest and District VIII, where I worked in alumni relations at the University of Washington. Chase has worked at CASE twice during his varied career and has spent many years in District III, most recently running advancement at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. Both of us spend a good deal of time traveling throughout the region, attending CASE events, supporting volunteer leaders, and hearing firsthand what’s on your minds. We’ll package up some of the best stories, programs, and ideas that make CASE great and bring them to you though this column. 

So… back to 2025 and a new year of reflecting and resolving. It’s busy here at CASE as we gear up for eight CASE District conferences, winter leadership meetings, and a whole slew of in-person and online trainings. When’s the last time you thought about your own professional development?  Whether you’re new to the profession or more seasoned in your career, there are great programs happening in early 2025 that can expand your knowledge, expertise, and network. Check out the latest offerings from CASE and you’ll likely find something new or unexpected. What better time than now to talk with your manager about building a pathway for growth? If you manage staff, don’t wait until an annual performance review to dig up the topic of professional development. Offering opportunities to learn and grow is the best way to communicate an organizational commitment to a rising professional and one of the most effective tools you have in retaining talent. As the new year rolls in, do a bit of reflecting and resolving—for yourself and for the people you manage. Take 30 minutes and start developing a 2025 professional development plan.

Over the next few months, both Chase and I will be on the move. If you happen to see us out at a CASE event, with volunteers, or on your campus, say hello and let us know that you read the column! Tell us what’s on your mind or share a success story. You never know— you might see yourself in a future column. 

Until next time!

Grant