Dear ASGW Members,

‍It is with deep gratitude and humility that I write to you as President of the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW).

‍I want to begin with a bit of honesty. Becoming president of a professional organization was never part of the plan I carried through my master’s or doctoral training. As I grew in this field, I found myself quietly asking, “am I ready to take on a leading role?” I had imagined, perhaps, one day serving as Editor of an academic journal, or stepping into a supporting role somewhere within an organization’s leadership. But somewhere in that reflection, a clearer thought took shape: “if I were ever privileged to become a president, it would be ASGW.” This organization has always felt different to me, and I suspect many of you feel the same.

‍I joined ASGW in 2019, and I still remember the immediate sense of belonging I felt at my very first conference, in Puerto Rico, watching group work unfold live for the first time. That experience left a deep impression on me. It was the moment group work stopped being something I studied and became something I felt. From 2020 to 2023, I had the privilege of serving as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Research Committee, and since July 2023, I have stayed involved with ASGW in various capacities. Each step has deepened my connection to ASGW and to the people who sustain it.

‍I am committed to advancing ASGW through special initiative and taskforce efforts, and to strengthening our visibility within, and collaboration across, the counseling and group work communities. I hope to co-develop meaningful goals, build collaborative working relationships, and sustain professional environments where growth is possible for our members. And I want this work to be rooted in cultural sensitivity, so that our leadership reflects the collaborative, cohesive spirit we hope to see in group work itself. None of this happens without our six standing committees, including Strategic Communications, Membership, Product Management, Research, and Special Initiative. They are led by chairs whose commitment and care I deeply admire, and I have no doubt they are positioned to carry forward meaningful work this year.

‍This year, we are launching a special initiative to center and expand group work practice and research from a global context, building international connections and making room for a broader range of voices and contexts in our field. We will also launch taskforce efforts aimed at creating targeted training and credentialing opportunities surrounding group work. We will continue the work of updating our training standards from the foundation laid during Dr. Kendra Jackson’s presidency.

‍I am stepping into this role with true gratitude, surrounded by a community that feels warm and connected in a way that continues to drive and inspire our collective work. I look forward to a year of shared purpose with all of you who carry the same passion for group work that brought me here.

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Sincerely,

Yanhong Liu, Ph.D., NCC
‍President, ASGW 2026-2027

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