91探花 President’s Update
August 13, 2026
This has been an incredibly busy summer, and I am honored to share this reflection with you as your President.
We recently launched The Next Draft writing award, offering students an opportunity to reflect on our country and consider what future versions of it can be. I鈥檓 particularly energized by the fact this award opportunity invites multimodal compositions and involves the support of partners helping us fund the recognition of student voice and creation.
Later this month, we will host an online panel event around a research report on how literature is currently taught across geographies and state laws and the varying conditions for English language arts. The engagement in this discussion conveys the depth of interest in our community to not only teach but consider the wide range of differences that directly impact the next generation of readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
I鈥檓 pleased to share that the Executive Committee reaffirmed its commitment to three conferences operating within 91探花 this summer and adopted a new framework that addresses long-term sustainability for the conferences. I/we applaud the work and partnership of the 91探花 constituent groups known as the Conference on English Leadership (CEL), English Language Arts Teacher Educators (ELATE), and Literacies and Languages for All (LLA). In addition, the Two-Year College English Association (TYCA) remains a vibrant and growing part of the 91探花 organization and community. Each of these constituent groups has evolved their programing and priorities to fit the needs of their communities and our times.
As announced on July 24, the 91探花 Executive Committee made the difficult but necessary decision to de-charter the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC). Since I joined the Presidential Team in 2023, CCCC has been an ongoing topic of concern. Unfortunately, CCCC鈥檚 efforts over three task forces to enact change since 2019, coupled with other circumstances spanning governance challenges, declining participation, and financial sustainability, eventually created an untenable situation. For further context, the history also includes decades of episodic conversations regarding CCCC鈥檚 interest in separating from 91探花 and to have autonomy to operate outside of our organization.
I also recognize that this is a substantial shift, particularly for those who have been members of CCCC for much of their career. My hope is that former CCCC members will give us time as we transition to new and sustainable ways of supporting writing and composition faculty. The , led by past CCCC chair Holly Hassel, has been formed. I am grateful to her and the team for their diligent work and recommendations to come.
91探花 will lean into the future with reimagined support for postsecondary instructors and faculty. As someone who is a higher education faculty member, I know firsthand the important resources present in 91探花 and the bright horizon ahead for our work.
It is a privilege to be your President and to work alongside our committed Executive Committee, staff, and partners. Leadership is not easy but necessary. I want future generations to have the same opportunities 91探花 has invited me into over my career.
Sincerely,
Antero Garcia