President's Message April 2022

As I enter the 8th month of my ACSN presidency, I’d like to take a moment to reflect.  Although the shock of being tapped to be president has worn off by now, I am still humbled that past ACSN leadership saw potential in me, potential which I honestly did not see in myself.

I have never uttered the words, “I want to be president,” but 8 months in, I can honestly say that it’s been a fulfilling journey.

Yes, I facilitate meeting discussions, invite input from other volunteer leaders, organize agendas, keep meeting times on schedule (mostly), and sign-off on paperwork.  Beyond that, though, I try to make decisions that prioritize the long-term well-being of ACSN, operate with as much transparency as I can manage, pursue consensus whenever possible, and engage in difficult conversations when differing points of view arise, or when miscommunication inadvertently happens.  

Through it all, I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given to make a lasting, and hopefully positive, impact on an organization that has given me so much.  I know I have four more months to continue doing my best, and then I’ll have a year to support Kioshana LaCount, the next ACSN president, in my next role as Past President.  For now, though, I will continue focusing on the privilege of serving as your ACSN President, doing so among a stellar group of peer leaders who are as passionate as I am about our alumni career community of professionals!

Warmest regards,

James Chang