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Spring Quarterly News Update

Happy Spring!

As we embrace the vibrancy of the season, I find myself reflecting on the journey we've shared during my tenure. While it saddens me that this marks the final edition of my term, I take solace in the knowledge that you'll be in excellent hands with LaDonna Selvidge stepping into the role of Health Science Education Division Vice President. Our regular meetings have already laid the groundwork for a seamless transition.

Spring is a time of bustling activity, filled with end-of-year celebrations and preparations for the year ahead. I trust this newsletter finds you infused with the energy needed to navigate this final stretch with determination and enthusiasm.

Since our last correspondence, I've been diligently engaged in onboarding LaDonna, fostering relationships with industry partners, and ensuring our Fiscal Year 2025 budget aligns with our strategic plan.

Now, onto matters of opportunity and recognition.

HSE Division News

We're excited to announce the renaming of the scholarship, formerly known as the Catherine B. Junge Memorial Scholarship, to the ACTE Health Science Education Scholarship. Encourage your students to seize this opportunity by applying here. The deadline for submissions has been extended to May 15.

Award Nominations

Consider this your gentle nudge to nominate either yourself or a deserving colleague for an HSE Division award. Remember, exceptional contributions deserve recognition. You need not hold a state award to apply. Take a moment to submit your nomination here.

Join the HSE Policy Committee

We strive to ensure diverse representation from all regions. Currently, Region II lacks representation. If you're interested in making a meaningful impact, please don't hesitate to reach out. All other regions are accounted for.

Additionally, I'm thrilled to announce the selection of esteemed leaders within our Policy Committee for further roles:

- Maggie Cox: Division Representative for ACTE Bylaws Committee

- Linda Romano: Continuing her tenure as Division Representative for ACTE Nominating Committee

- Kandy Smitha: Appointed as the HSE Division Awards Chair

From ACTE

Delivering $2,500 in Scholarship Money

Encourage students and adult learners, ages 18–35, to apply for the Horatio Alger Association Career and Technical Education Scholarship, worth up to $2,500 to pursue CTE. The application is open now through June 17. To request a presentation to students or educators please email Julia Kasper.

Student Trophy Design Contest

Encourage your students to participate ACTE’s Student Trophy Design Contest. The winning trophy will be 3D-printed by Stratasys and presented to the 10 national award winners at the ACTE Awards Gala, happening Dec. 4 at CareerTech VISION in San Antonio, Texas. The winning team will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a free one-year lease of a 3D printer for the winner’s school, courtesy of Stratasys, and more! The deadline for design submissions is May 1.

The Early Bird Gets the Best VISION Rates



ACTE’s CareerTech VISION is the must-attend event for career and technical education (CTE) professionals! Happening Dec. 4–7 in San Antonio, Texas, VISION offers attendees:

• Hundreds of concurrent sessions covering high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE
• Inspirational keynote speakers sharing innovations in CTE
• CareerTech Expo with hundreds of exhibits, workshops and live demonstrations
• Numerous networking opportunities to forge meaningful professional connections with educators and industry leaders

Register by July 31 for the best rates!

A heartfelt thank you to all who have stepped up to advance our mission, and to our entire policy committee for their unwavering dedication.

As my term draws to a close, please remember that my commitment to supporting your journey within ACTE remains steadfast. Feel free to reach out for guidance or connections, even beyond my tenure.

Warm regards,

Holly Strand-Rysgaard

VP, ACTE Health Science Education Division

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." - Mark Van Doren