President’s Message – April 2026

Dear NCME Colleagues,

As I write this final presidential update, I find myself reflecting on what has been both an energizing and deeply meaningful year. NCME is a community defined not only by intellectual rigor, but by the people who continuously show up—thoughtfully, generously, and with a shared commitment to advancing our field. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and to work alongside so many of you in moving that work forward.

Making Our Way to LA: One Week Countdown to NCME 2026!

Time to pack your bags—NCME 2026 in L.A. is almost here! As the schedule comes together, download the conference app and enter NCME26 (case sensitive) to map out your four session-packed days. There’s still time to register, and spots are still available for the training sessions and the fun run/walk. I’ll be participating in the fun walk (emphasis on fun and walk), so please join me on Saturday morning!

I recently participated in the Graduate Student Issues Committee webinar on “How to NCME,” where I shared a few key tips for making the most of the Annual Meeting: present while you’re still in graduate school, take advantage of the Mentoring Program, attend sessions that broaden your perspective, and, just as importantly, make time for conversations and community. NCME is as much about the people as it is the presentations.

Executive Committee and Board of Directors: Thank You

The Executive Committee met in March and debriefed from the Regional Meet-Up Series and expressed desire to continue these in the future, discussed plans underway for the three 2026 NCME events, and reviewed the agenda for the April board meeting to be held at the Annual Meeting, including several topics that will be up for a board vote.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Executive Committee—Rich Patz, Andrew Ho, Kadriye Ercikan, Sonya Powers, and Susan Lyons—for an incredibly collegial and forward-looking year. This group brought both thoughtfulness and momentum to every discussion, and I have deeply valued the spirit of collaboration throughout.

I am equally grateful to the Board of Directors—Zach Warner, Rochelle Michel, Leslie Keng, Brad Macmillan, Brian Leventhal, and Sue Lottridge—for their leadership, insight, and commitment to NCME. I have learned a tremendous amount from working alongside you and have great confidence in the continued strength of this leadership community.

NCME Award Winners: Congratulations!

NCME has announced the winners of the six-yearly awards. Please congratulate these folks on their well-deserved recognition for their contributions to our field. These were very competitive awards this year, with multiple nominees for each award. I look forward to celebrating these folks at the Business Meeting. Thank you to the award committees for your care in ensuring thoughtful, rigorous, and fair selection processes.

Committee Focus: CIAP and Publications

Later in this newsletter, you can read more about the important ongoing initiatives of the Committee on Informing Assessment Policy (CIAP) and the Publications Committee. NCME moves forward because of its volunteers—through their ideas, leadership, and willingness to step in and build what comes next. With committee rotations approaching, this is an ideal moment to step in, contribute, and help shape what comes next for NCME.

I am proud of the progress we have made together this year and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. As I transition into the Immediate Past President role, I look forward to continuing to support NCME’s work and to advancing several initiatives in the year ahead. I will share more at the Business Meeting—and, as always, will be looking for partners in that work.

Signing off as President of NCME,
Amy Hendrickson