CESSE

At CESSE, we celebrate by recognizing the contributions and leadership of the + community across science, technology, engineering, and math.

As such, we encourage you to explore our LGBTQIA+ Resources, which is a curated collection of tools and guidance designed to help associations foster more inclusive environments. From everyday practices like normalizing pronouns and using gender-neutral language to LGBTQIA+ organizations you can support, these resources offer practical steps to turn intention into action.

Explore More: https://ow.ly/vaXP50Z7J4U

“As always, I enjoyed connecting in-person with other CESSE members. I also greatly appreciated the ability to speak 1:1 with CESSE Partners and learn about services, software, apps and other solutions to common challenges everyone is facing, especially related to use of AI and membership engagement.” — Jennifer Zeitzer, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology - FASEB

At ACCESSE, those one-on-one conversations matter.

Whether you are exchanging ideas with peers or exploring solutions with partners, these interactions offer practical insight into the challenges shaping STEM societies today, from AI to member engagement. If you value meaningful connections paired with actionable takeaways, ACCESSE26 offers the space to do both.

Join us July 13–15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC. Register today at: https://ow.ly/qlmS50Z6lly

Launching a new system is only the beginning. The real challenge and opportunity lies in adoption.

Featuring Anne Ornelas (CASSS - Sharing Science Solutions) Erin Trost, and Rebecca Achurch (Achurch Consulting), this session will explore how society professionals can move beyond implementation to build a practical strategy that supports , , and . Attendees will leave with frameworks to help evaluate adoption, strengthen internal knowledge, and get more value from their technology investments over time.

Join us this summer at for relevant and timely insights that can help your STEM society get more value from the tools you already have and plan more confidently for what comes next.

Register now at: https://ow.ly/z2su50Z6l5w

We are excited to announce Penny Gordon‑Larsen, PhD as the closing keynote speaker for this summer!

Dr. Gordon‑Larsen serves as Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor in Nutrition. A nationally recognized research leader, she has led a $1B+ public research enterprise and brings a unique dual perspective from her time as president of The Obesity Society. Her work spans molecular and genetic science through the broader environmental and societal factors shaping health outcomes.

In her closing keynote, “Rooted in Purpose, Built for This Moment: The Indispensable Role of STEM Associations in a Changing Research Landscape,” Dr. Gordon‑Larsen will explore how scientific progress is advanced not only through discovery, but through the organizations that advocate for it, fund it, and connect it to the world. Grounded in today’s realities, from shifting federal funding to workforce challenges and equity gaps, this session will consider how STEM associations can move beyond service delivery and step into a more strategic role as architects of the research ecosystem.

🚨 Early bird savings end today. Save $50 on your registration.
🚨 Today is also the deadline to apply for a Friends of CESSE Fund scholarship to attend ACCESSE26.

Register Now: https://ow.ly/ulaT50Z4urv
Apply to the Friends of CESSE Scholarship: https://ow.ly/I5yg50Z4urw

Let’s take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication ensure the freedoms we cherish today.

At CESSE, we are grateful for their service and commitment. We wish you a peaceful and reflective .

Stepping into a or role can feel like drinking from a firehose, especially in societies where mission, , and stakeholder expectations move fast. The difference between a strong start and a rocky first year often comes down to whether the first 100 days are intentional.

In the session, “Mission Onboarding: Making Your First 100 Days Effective,” Erika Shugart, PhD, CEO at the American Physiological Society, will share practical, field-tested onboarding guidance drawn from interviews with 25 nonprofit CEOs and widely used best practices (including insights from The First 90 Days). You will walk away with the critical conversations to prioritize, the key documents to request, and the milestones that help new executives learn faster, build trust earlier, and drive impact sooner.

This is a must-attend for STEM society CEOs, whether you are the incoming executive or the team responsible for onboarding and setting your new CEO up for success.

Join us at , July 13–15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC. Register Now🔗 https://ow.ly/37wx50YYqRv

AI is moving quickly across associations, creating real opportunities to support staff, serve members, and extend the reach of trusted content. At the same time, many organizations are asking how to move beyond experimentation toward practical, secure, and mission-aligned impact.

Building on the momentum from today’s AI webinar hosted by Results Direct | RD Mobile, this ACCESSE26 session, “Practical AI for STEM Associations: Empowering Staff, Preparing Members, and Driving Engagement,” takes a hands-on look at how associations are applying AI in meaningful ways.

Michael Jones, VP of Mobile Technologies at Results Direct | RD Mobile, and Megan Moritz, Chapter Success Director at ISACA, will share real-world examples and lessons learned from organizations actively using AI today. During this interactive breakout, participants will explore how AI can streamline internal workflows, help associations deliver high-value AI education and certifications, and unlock the full potential of content and data to create more personalized, engaging member experiences, all while protecting intellectual property and member trust.

Join us at , July 13–15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC, to learn alongside peers and take away practical ideas you can apply right away.

Register Now🔗 https://ow.ly/CeeZ50YYqGa