Complete Story
08/02/2016
Greetings from ECA's new Executive Director
Dear Members,
As we start to think about the transition from summer break to a new academic year and a new season of projects, ECA has undergone a major transition of its own. Ron Arnett, our esteemed Executive Director of six years, turned over the reins on July 1. I am the honored recipient of his legacy, and in this past month of settling in to my new position, I have learned all the ways in which the Association will continue to benefit from his careful organization, wise decisions, and astute planning. I want to thank Ron for ensuring a smooth transition and for all he has done for ECA.
For more than a dozen years, I have enjoyed the scholarly benefits and lively camaraderie of ECA. I have met many of you along the way, and I look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming few years. For those of you to whom I am a relative unknown, I wish to tell you a little more about myself and my vision for the role of ECA Executive Director.
I believe one of the reasons I was appointed to fill this position is my ability to navigate details and to visualize how those details connect in the larger, complex picture. This skill has served me well during my many years on the executive board of the New York State Communication Association as well as on a number of administrative projects at my institution, Champlain College, where I am an Associate Professor of Communication.
For the past few years, I have been immersed in the details of ECA. After working behind the scenes with Past President Tom Flynn on the 2014 convention, I went on to serve on two Presidential task forces—one evaluating the efficacy of the organization’s current policies, practices, and structure, and the other assessing the ways we can improve our web and social media presence. These experiences in particular inform my approach to the Executive Director role. I intend not only to maintain the fiscal vitality of the Association, but also to strengthen the value of ECA in members’ professional and scholarly lives. In addition to providing high-quality journal subscriptions and an outstanding annual convention experience, ECA has the tools and the talent to play a meaningful role all throughout the year by providing robust resources for teaching, research, job openings, collaborations, and community engagement. I am eager to explore ideas with the incredible team of folks who are volunteering their time in service of continuously improving our association.
On the lighter side of things—a few fun facts about me: I am an avid runner, field hockey player, dragonboat drummer and coach, and outdoorsperson. I deeply admire Jim Henson and am Kermit the Frog’s biggest fan. Dark, psychological crime thrillers are my favorite genre of book. I love history of all kinds, dogs, white chocolate, live music, dancing, Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock movies, and wildflowers.
Finally, I love good conversation with good people. ECA is good people, and that’s why I’m here. I hope that you will come introduce yourself to me in Boston, or come say hello again if it’s been a while since we last chatted. I look forward to this journey with you over the next three years and to serving this organization with energy, vision, and commitment.
See you in Boston!
Cheryl A. Casey, Ph.D.
ECA Executive Director, 2016-2019
