“This year, our chapter is proud to boast several accomplishments. Logistically, we’ve seen all-time peaks for membership, event count, and finance growth. Our membership has grown 32.72%, peaking at 150 paid members, with a 156.52% growth in science majors. We hosted a total of 75 events throughout the year, all of which couldn’t have been possible without the support of our three corporate sponsors. This can be broken down into 6 science events, not including our undergraduate research program, 28 SASE-related events, 19 social events, 10 professional development events, 9 service events, and 3 cultural events. Additionally, our chapter was awarded one of our university’s annual student organization awards for "Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Community." 

Our proudest initiative is our science initiative which includes science-based events for our members such as research panels, environmental and medical awareness events, a blood drive, and a plant workshop, as well as an undergraduate research program. Our proudest event is Lonestar Throwdown, a South-regional event we had the honor of hosting that invites SASE members from various chapters to participate in a friendly, outdoor, field-day competition. 

Our success can be attributed to several different reasons, and we want to share some with you! Always keep your members in mind and remember that, as a board, your job is to provide opportunities for them to grow. Be open to criticism and look back on all your events with an open mind; talk about the good and bad things that happened and learn from them. Don’t be scared to try new things for fear of failing, as growth only occurs once you get back up off the ground. Make lasting connections with your SASEfam and continue to develop yourself and your members through SASE. Finally, remember to have fun and enjoy SASE!"

Being located in the New Jersey/New York City area has provided us with ample opportunities to connect with neighboring chapters, contributing to a tighter-knit SASE community. We held mixers with New York University and the City College of New York, going the extra mile to bring in Northeast Team and alumni participation. Accomplishing these in addition to SASE’s sister chapter challenges with University of California San Diego and the University of Delaware further establishes our national involvement. Despite being a small school, our chapter has garnered significant recognition at both regional and national levels through participation in SASE initiatives and conferences, showcasing our dedication and impact within the organization. 

We recommend prioritizing engagement and freshman retention by encouraging e-board members to step out of their comfort zones to foster meaningful connections with new members. A first meeting tradition, like our annual tradition of going to the pier, leaves a strong impression, helping students build stronger connections to SASE and its members. Embracing collaboration with a diverse range of organizations can help increase visibility and build a stronger community not only on campus, but within the regional and national community, as well.”