Dear ASGW Members,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are enjoying the start of a new season. As we close the chapter on the 2024-2025 term, I want to reflect on our collective journey, celebrate our achievements, and express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you.

It has been a distinct honor to serve as the 51st President of the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) and as the second Black woman to hold this position. This milestone holds deep significance for me, not just on a personal level but also as a testament to our organization's ongoing commitment to representation, equity, and inclusive leadership. Together, we have continued to build a community where every voice matters and every member is empowered to lead and serve.

Throughout the 2024–2025 term, ASGW's mission — advancing the ethical and practical practice of group work through training, research, standards, and advocacy — remained the bedrock of all our efforts. This mission inspired our vision and guided the initiatives we launched, always with professional excellence and social responsibility at the forefront.

This year, our work centered on three major areas, each driven by a deep commitment to culturally responsive and socially just group work:

1. ‍Professional Development: We implemented new opportunities designed to enhance the competencies of professionals in delivering culturally responsive group services, with a particular focus on serving the Black community.
2. ‍Community Needs & Innovation: We worked to illuminate the multifaceted needs of the Black community, exploring innovative group work modalities and social justice frameworks to meet these needs more effectively.
3. ‍Training Standards: We initiated the crucial process of updating our professional training standards, laying the groundwork for meaningful updates that will better equip group workers to deliver authentic, empowering, and transformative services. While this initiative is ongoing, the foundation we have built will shape the future of our field.

In addition to these major areas, I am proud to highlight several other significant accomplishments from this term:

• The Leadership Institute was a resounding success, thanks to the vision and dedication of our Special Initiatives Chairs.
• Research initiatives and events were thoughtfully developed and implemented by our Research Chairs and Committee, furthering our commitment to increasing group work research and informing members about research grants to help fund their projects.
• Conference Planning Chairs have already laid the groundwork for the 2026 ASGW Conference, ensuring our tradition of excellence continues.
• Strategic Communications Chairs have significantly increased our presence across various social media platforms and professional spaces, helping us reach and engage ASGW members.
• The Products Committee has exciting new products in development, expanding the resources and tools available to our members, particularly for the upcoming 2026 ASGW Conference.
• Membership Chairs have fostered greater connections within our community and launched new initiatives to increase and support our membership, a vital step in ensuring the continued growth and vibrancy of ASGW.

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of the ASGW GPC, the active engagement of our members, and the tireless efforts of our Committee Chairs. Our collective work has propelled the organization forward in powerful and impactful ways.

As the 2024-2025 term ends and I transition into the Past-President role, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you, the ASGW members, for your support, commitment, and dedication to our shared mission. A special thank you goes to Michael Rose, whose diligent work behind the scenes ensured the ASGW website and technology displayed excellence. And to the 2024-2025 Leadership Team, your hard work, creativity, and perseverance made this year a resounding success. Together, we have accomplished things that no one has achieved before. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Today, we welcome the beginning of the 2025-2026 term. I am delighted that my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Priscilla Rose Prasath, will lead ASGW into this next chapter as the President. As she steps into this role, I encourage all of us to support her and the new leadership team as they uphold our vision, mission, and values. Let us work together to launch new initiatives, ensure a successful 2026 conference, and support ASGW's continued growth and success.

So, farewell for now, and thank you for the privilege of serving. I look forward to supporting ASGW in new ways as Past-President, and to witnessing the continued progress and success of our remarkable organization.

Blessings, Hugs, and Gratitude, 
Kendra L. Jackson, Ph.D.
ASGW Past President (2025-2026)
ASGW President (2024-2025)

‍

‍