As we publish this early 2026 edition of SIETAR USA Connect, we find ourselves at a meaningful moment of transition, and our new Board of Directors will be announced very soon. In the meantime, please join me in acknowledging the four outgoing Board Members for their service to SIETAR USA:
- Cheryl Woehr, Conference Oversight Director and Professional Development Director
- Elmer Dixon President and Immediate Past-President,
- Kwesi Ewoodzie, Local Groups Director
- Sandy Fowler, Communications Director
In this issue of SIETAR USA Connect, I would like to highlight Sandy Fowler for her many years of service on the SIETAR USA Board of Directors and thank her for stepping in as interim Communications Director. As Sandy notes in her personal letter below, her history with SIETAR is extensive, dating back to SIETAR’s earliest days. From her time as President of both SIETAR International and SIETAR USA, to co-chairing several of our conferences, to her work on this latest version of our newsletter, her devotion to the intercultural field and this organization is a testament to the volunteer spirit that sustains us. It is the collaboration between our seasoned pioneers like Sandy and our emerging leaders that ensures our organization doesn't just survive, but thrives.
SIETAR USA is grateful for Sandy’s years of leadership and hard work, and we look forward to her continued presence with our organization and our community. Our history is enriched because of the foundation that she has helped us build, and our path forward is ensured by the resilience and perseverance of our inclusive community.
- Sue Shinomiya, President, Board of Directors, SIETAR USA
Gratitude As I Leave the SIETAR USA Board of Directors and the Communications Portfolio…
As I depart from the SIETAR USA Board of Directors, I would like to express my gratitude to all the many people over the decades who have shared my devotion to SIETAR. Without us, the organization would likely not have survived.
SIETAR USA continues to foster intercultural learning, dialogue, and connection across communities and professions. I like to think that my efforts since 1979 helped enable us to sustain our programs, strengthened our network, and created spaces where diverse perspectives are valued and shared. Serving as president of both SIETAR International and SIETAR USA, was the honor of a lifetime.
Serving as the Communications Director for the past two years, I offer deep appreciation to the Communications Committee who helped me produce an informational newsletter containing news plus scholarly articles over the past two years. Colleagues Brianna Harrison, Deborah Orlowski, Neal Goodman, Aliona Yermayaleva, and Rob Pusch were my companions in this enterprise. I also offer huge thanks to Melissa Neu who formats the newsletter and without whom it would not be as professional or appealing.
The SIETAR community was conceived as a forum where educators, trainers, and researchers could share ideas and move the intercultural and DEI fields forward. It is where you find likeminded people to learn from and enjoy. That is what I found at conferences, webinars, other events—and most of all, the time I spent on the Board. I will continue to be actively involved with SIETAR USA in a capacity yet to be determined.
- Sandra M. Fowler
