Comment by the President

I am both excited and humbled to be starting this year as first African American woman to be President of ACS. The central theme for my presidency is: Building Chemistry Careers Inclusively. This emphasizes the ACS core values of Lifelong Learning and Inclusion and Belonging. I am working with both our governance volunteers and ACS staff to highlight ongoing strategic initiatives of the society:

  • Campaign for a Sustainable Future
  • Fostering a Skilled Technical Workforce

If you’ll be in San Diego and should your schedule permit, please check out my presidential sponsored symposia and events:

  • ACS Chemistry Festivals: A Global Non-Formal Chemistry Education Model—Rationale, History, and Impact
  • ACS Kids Zone
  • Chemistry of Sustainable Production in the Grape and Wine Industry
  • Global Challenges and Advances in Energy, Food and Water Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change
  • How Belonging Unlocks Innovation in STEM Panel Discussion
  • Presidential LGBTQ+ Reception
  • Quantifying and Addressing the US Fentanyl Crisis
  • Stories From the Bench & Field: Research from Chemical Technical Professionals

Finally, in collaboration with the office of DEIR, we have launched the ACS Presidential Spark Grant, designed to increase joint programming between demographic-focused committees and other committees or divisions. Please contact Racquel Jemison (r_jemison@acs.org) for more information.

I want to thank all of you who have reached out to me with your ideas, suggestions, and concerns. Your support has meant so much to me. Please continue to share your ideas and suggestions with me at d.phillips@acs.org.