Hello PAIS Members,

We hope everyone is doing well and having a successful school year!

The latest edition of the PAIS Newsletter covers several interesting topics for program administrators, including one intensive English program’s use of Appreciative Inquiry in its annual review process. Another article describes the desired skill set for administrative positions and ways to acquire these skills. Additionally, you can read about ways program leaders can generate a positive work culture through authenticity and a balance of professional inquiry and advocacy. Finally, you will read about one way of elevating the image of ESL by enhancing your faculty bios on your program’s website.

Are you starting to plan for the upcoming TESOL 2017 convention in Seattle, Washington, USA? Once again, PAIS has organized intriguing sessions, and we hope to see many of you there. Our academic session, titled “Maintaining Morale in Difficult Times,” will call on panelists to discuss specific challenges their programs face and what they are doing to combat the low morale that often develops during times of challenge and change. In addition, we have organized an InterSection with the Intensive English Program (IEP) IS, “Sustaining IEP Enrollment: Innovative Ways to Keep Your Program Afloat,” in which panelists will discuss innovative approaches to sustaining IEP enrollment during times of extreme enrollment decline. We have a number of experts throughout the field who will be sharing their knowledge with all of us.

All the best,

Angela Dornbusch and Linda Wesley

Co-Chairs, TESOL Program Administration Interest Section