Dear Readers,
While day-tripping in New York City recently, I was struck by how much scaffolding frames everyday life, required by city safety laws to protect workers and pedestrians while buildings are inspected, repaired, and reinforced. These temporary structures may seem inconvenient, but they exist to support something being reshaped or strengthened. The word “ scaffold” comes from the Old French “eschaffaut,” for a raised platform or viewing stand.
I came to a different understanding of scaffolding as a writing practice during grad school, as a way to break complex ideas into smaller, supported steps to build on learning. Over time, I’ve come to see scaffolding everywhere—in songwriting or editing drafts, in professional development, and during my end-of-year rituals. I try to see each year as a scaffolded level built upon the others. If the work within the scaffolding of 2025 seems unfinished, look to your colleagues, fellow practitioners, and the learning institutions we represent for guidance to continue fortifying our lessons into 2026.
In this issue:
- Ask a Consultant About Sustainability
- A Mid-Career Turning Point: Competence Builds Confidence
- SEM 2025 Roundup
- The Impact of State & Regional Associations: Part 2
- Volume 100 Closes, a New C&U Century Begins
- Happy Open Rosterversary ‘And Many More’ Members
- 2026 Aspirations for Advancing Learning Mobility Through Practice, Equity, and Care
- Rule by Rule: Making the One Big Beautiful Bill Real in Regulation – AHEAD Committee Part 1
- LERs Go on Record as AACRAO Advisor Testifies Before Congress
With appreciation,
Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
P.S. Please use the “Contact the Editor” function to provide feedback or submit an idea for the AACRAO Connect email newsletter. Your contributions are welcome.
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