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This story is part of our 360 package for December 2022, to view more stories,
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From the Desk of President Jessica Poole – 'Tis the season for reflection
by Jessica Poole – 2022-23 College Sports Communicators President @JessPooleA2
Chicago State University, Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer
There’s no escaping it my friends — we have entered the holiday season. We’ve made it through Thanksgiving and are full steam ahead into the winter holidays. I always find myself in a reflective space during this time of the year, and this year is no different.
I’m an early riser and use my mornings before the sun comes up to reflect. Lately I’ve been thinking about all the things we’ve accomplished as an organization since I took the gavel in July. We've accomplished a lot. And, we have a lot to be thankful for.
We’ve successfully onboarded a new Executive Director in Erik Christianson.
We’ve launched a new All-In Membership structure.
We’ve selected a new name in College Sports Communicators.
We’ve made changes to the Academic All-America program including adding two new sport programs.
We’re embarking on a rebrand of our logos, website and social media.
Not sure how you all feel but that is A LOT of really awesome stuff in a relatively short amount of time, and we’re not done yet!
All of this doesn’t happen without the work of the Executive Board of Directors, CSC staff and you, our members.
We’ve given you all quite a bit of change and I’d like to thank you all for your trust. You have provided insight and input at each turn. You’ve held us as an Executive Board accountable and you have most importantly been supportive and allowed us to move our organization forward. These are things that I as the College Sports Communicators President am beyond thankful for.
I’d also like to thank the Executive Board of Directors.
I could not have asked for a better group of colleagues and friends to embark on all of this with. I didn’t see all of this coming when I took the third vice president seat and it has been an honor and a joy to serve our organization with you all in this capacity.
I also need to thank June Stewart, Judy Wilson, Shelly Poe, Tammy Boclair and Cindy Potter. You all made it possible for me to dream to be leading this organization as the first Black woman. You all have never once wavered in your support and I am forever grateful to have joined this sorority.
As I look back on my “journey to the seat” so much has changed for me since I joined the Executive Board and entered the presidential rotation. Namely, Big Will entered the scene. If I’m being candid, once I became a mom I wasn’t sure I could be president in the way I wanted. I had this new baby, a kind of new job and I had this opportunity to lead the organization that I loved as a “first” and it felt like a ton of pressure.
Enter Cindy Potter.
My friend, my sister and my fellow working Momma Prime Minister, who told me the following:
- I won’t be perfect at home or work all the time and that’s ok.
- As long as William (Big Will) has me he will be fine.
- Be myself.
These words have made the difference for me. You may not have a Big Will but I think these words can help us all keep things in perspective.
I hope everyone has a joyful holiday season!
Until next month,
Jess
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