Greetings PAIS Members,

As 2017 is slowly winding down, we hope everyone has had a good year!

We are pleased to share the latest edition of the PAIS Newsletter. This issue includes articles on a wide range of pertinent topics, so we are hopeful that there are some useful takeaways for everyone. One article discusses the drawbacks of typical intensive English program strategic management approaches during uncertain times and offers a more adaptive planning framework ​that shifts the focus away from enrollment projections. This article also provides guidance on implementing such a framework. Another article describes a team-building activity centered on creating a shared vision statement. Then, we have the third in a series of articles focusing on elevating the image of ESL programs on college and university campuses. This last installment in the three-part series gives specific examples of ways ESL programs can increase their exposure at their home institutions. Finally, the author of our new section, PAIS Voices, offers an intimate look at her growth as a director, challenging others not to forget the power of reflection as a tool for learning.

For those of you who will be joining us in Chicago, Illinois, USA in March 2018, we have some exciting sessions for you on a wide array of topics related to program administration. In addition, we have our two PAIS panels. Our InterSection panel, “Supporting the Professional Development of Faculty Administrators,” will be given jointly with the Intensive English Program and Speech, Pronunciation, and Listening Interest Sections. Panelists will discuss both professional development opportunities and professional development gaps for faculty administrators and offer suggestions for supporting faculty administrators. Moderators of our academic panel, “Learn to Innovate: Ideas for Growing Your English Language Program,” will give an overview of innovation and entrepreneurship and review results of a survey on the implementation, marketing, and evaluation of innovations. Panelists will discuss both successful and unsuccessful attempts for growing their programs.

In the meantime, we invite you to dive in to this issue to explore the research and experiences of our contributors—your PAIS colleagues. By all means, take notes, get inspired, and consider contributing to future PAIS Newsletter editions.

Sandra Issa & Elizabeth Gould

Co-chairs, TESOL Program Administration Interest Section