As we prepare to participate in the first-ever virtual conference for SEM 2020, we do so under what are undoubtedly the strangest conditions ever for it. Our work, our students, our staff have all had to move to new ways of engagement. Historical data that fuels our predictive models is likely irrelevant. Planning for instructional modalities, campus housing, and schedules have all been fluid for weeks and months. The conference this year will emphasize these issues and provide a forum for discussion and learning. However, there isn’t any research on this phenomenon yet, so we are providing this “classic SEM” primer as a reminder of the foundations of our practice.

We do know that we will return to some of our proven practices in the future and that others have been forever changed. What will likely not change is the need for us to continually examine data, scan the horizon, and examine practices to determine what we must continue to do and what we must change to be successful in helping our students and our institutions thrive.

I hope that this edition of SEM Prep, masterfully curated by Managing Editor Heather Zimar, will serve to broadly cover many areas of SEM practice. As we look to the future, I encourage you to consider research on this moment, this time, this seismic change, so that we may all benefit from your expertise and insights. We are, indeed, all in this together.

Be well,

Tom Green, Ph.D.

Editor in Chief