By Terri Woodburn, NPSMA President

Welcome to spring! As I finish the first quarter of my presidency, I want to briefly share my excitement to be working with our remarkable community of Board of Directors and other volunteers. Over the past two years, Past Presidents Meghan Dovick and Tim Born – together with our Executive Committee, Board, and many dedicated contributors – have been working diligently behind the scenes to reenvision how NPSMA serves its members. I am proud to be a part of this effort and to now bring greater transparency to this work!

As the STEM graduate education environment evolves, NPSMA remains committed to offering practical support, meaningful resources, and ensure a resilient, forward‑looking organization. Below are the major initiatives guiding our work in 2026 and shaping the next chapter of the NPSMA.

Building on Strong Foundations: Our 5‑Year Strategic Planning Journey

At the end of 2025, we launched a five‑year strategic planning process, beginning with a pre‑conference Board working session and an Ask NPSMA forum that invited member insights. Building on the strong foundations set by past presidents and NPSMA leaders, this effort encourages us to think boldly about our shared future.

Our framework centers on three priorities: strengthening long‑term financial resilience, expanding organizational capacity, and elevating NPSMA’s national brand authority within the STEM graduate education ecosystem. While we’re still early in the process, the energy is palpable, and I’m thrilled that Kristin Kuter is rejoining us in 2026 as Director of Strategic Initiatives to help guide this work.

A New Era: Our First Fully Virtual NPSMA Conference

This year’s NPSMA conference marks an exciting milestone – our first fully online annual gathering! Under the leadership of Past President Meghan Dovick, the conference committee is reimagining what this signature event can be. Going virtual enables us to lower barriers to participation, reduce costs, and welcome broader engagement from programs and professionals who may not have been able to attend in previous years.

Importantly, we are preserving the high‑value learning, collaboration, and community building that define NPSMA conferences. And while we certainly aren’t closing the door on future face‑to‑face events, this virtual approach allows us to experiment, innovate, and expand our reach like never before.

Reimagining and Expanding Member Benefits

One of the most energizing areas of our work in the last couple of years has been the effort to reinvigorate and modernize NPSMA’s member benefits. As our community and industries change, we want to ensure that the resources we offer are not only valuable but also accessible, visible, and aligned with how our members engage with information today.

To that end, we are building a sustainable quarterly highlights newsletter paired with a suite of dynamic online features – including a student Spotlight series and an expanded PSM Blog. This format makes our stories and updates easier to discover – by members and by the broader public – helping us better showcase the strength and impact of PSM programs. We can’t wait to use this space to celebrate the talent, innovation, and impact emerging across our community!

We’re also excited to have launched the Professional Skills Curriculum Resources Hub, an exclusive Canvas space for members that supports curriculum development, professional skills training, and program enrichment. The hub will continue to grow with tools, materials, and best practices contributed by you – the experts across the PSM community.

Strengthening Our Digital Presence: Website Redesign

Our digital home is also getting a thoughtful refresh. We’ve begun a second stage in website redesign focused on streamlining navigation, improving alignment between npsma.org and professionalsciencemasters.org, and continuing to modernize the overall look and user experience. These updates will make information easier to find, help the two sites work together more cohesively, and better serve members, students, and partners.

Looking Ahead Together

The months ahead are full of possibility. Whether through strategic planning, our first fully virtual conference, or a more vibrant digital presence, we’re working to build an NPSMA that is responsive, resilient, and ready for the future. Most importantly, this work is only possible because of you – our members, colleagues, students, alumni, and partners who continue to drive innovation in STEM professional master’s education.

Thank you for your expertise, energy, and belief in what we’re creating together. I’m excited for all that 2026 will bring and even more excited to continue this journey with you.

Whether you’re new to NPSMA or a longtime member, there’s a place for you in our committees and collaborative efforts. We grow stronger through shared leadership, and we’d love to have you at the table! Contact us at npsma@npsma.org.

Here’s to a season of growth. Let’s keep moving forward – together!