The Southeastern Council on Family Relations (SECFR) is alive with enthusiasm for the inclusion of students and new professionals! The SECFR board values the contribution that emerging professionals can offer to our growing regional affiliate, and the board takes seriously the opportunity to provide students and new professionals with experiences that will support their professional formation. Inclusion of students at all levels of affiliate leadership creates a culture of respect that extends into both administrative board functioning and annual conference planning. Intentional efforts to encourage student participation have led the board to establish a series of recognitions for students during the annual conference. Cash awards for Best Graduate and Undergraduate Poster Presentations, Best Grad and Undergrad Paper Presentations, and the Outstanding Student Writing Award are intended to encourage student participation in research and conference involvement. Students are offered valuable volunteer opportunities throughout the annual conference and are encouraged to participate in a student-driven service project.

“In SECFR, I am surrounded by a community of family professionals at various stages of their careers. All of them are eager to offer encouragement and support for me, and all active students, as we strive to create our professional identities,” said Janeal White, SECFR Board President and currently a doctoral student at Louisiana State University. “I have found caring mentors and valuable networking opportunities. I have found my professional home in SECFR and NCFR.”

To learn more about the work of the Southeastern Council or its upcoming conference, please visit southeastern.ncfr.org.

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