Greetings PAIS Members,

As we write this, we hope that all of you are planning to join us in Seattle for TESOL 2017! If you are attending, please join us for our annual open meeting from 5 pm–6:30 pm on Wednesday, 22 March. Your input is always welcome!

We also encourage you to attend the many PAIS-related presentations in addition to the academic and InterSection panels:

Maintaining Morale in Difficult Times (academic session)

Programs currently face challenges on multiple fronts, including decreasing enrollments, budgetary threats, and potential corporate partnerships. Panelists in this session provide an overview of the specific challenges their programs face and what they are doing to combat the low morale that often develops during times of challenge and change.

Sustaining IEP Enrollment: Innovative Ways to Keep Your Program Afloat (InterSection panel with IEPIS)

In recent years, overall enrollment at intensive English programs (IEPs) across the country has been decreasing due to various factors, including changes in scholarship benefits, visa restrictions, and increasing educational costs. This panel discusses innovative approaches to sustaining IEP enrollment during times of extreme enrollment decline.

Special thanks to all of you who reviewed proposals and are planning presentations.

We would also like to extend extra-special gratitude to Jackie Record and Hannaliisa Savolainen, who have served PAIS as newsletter co-editors for the last 4 years. The tremendous amount of time and attention they have given to this role is greatly appreciated.

At the open meeting at TESOL, we will be turning over the reins to new co-chairs Elizabeth Gould and Sandra Tompson Issa, both from the University of Kansas Applied English Center. The leadership of PAIS will be in great hands with these two wonderful people.

All the best,

Angela Dornbusch and Linda Wesley, PAIS Co-Chairs