Dear CERA members,

 

As I reflect on the 2025 conference, the CERA Board and I are filled with immense gratitude for the opportunity to come together once again to share, learn, and grow around research, data, and evaluation. The 2025 conference was a powerful reminder of what makes CERA so special, our collective commitment to advancing educational research in meaningful and practical ways. I want to extend my sincere thanks to our presenters, attendees, sponsors, and volunteers. Your dedication and engagement are what make this work possible.

 

I would also like to take a moment to reflect on the 2025 conference theme and to thank Dr. Erin Roberts for her exceptional leadership and vision. The conference held in Riverside was truly empowering and thoughtfully designed. Dr. Roberts’ leadership set a strong foundation as we continue moving our organization forward.

 

Looking Ahead to 2026

 

I am deeply honored and grateful to serve as your CERA President in 2026. CERA holds a very special place in my heart. I have served on the CERA Board since 2020, beginning my journey as a graduate student, and I have grown alongside this organization in ways I could not have imagined. My background in the military, higher education, the corporate sector, and nonprofit advocacy has consistently shaped how I approach research, data, and systems change. CERA has given me the space to bridge research, advocacy, education, and data, work that I am deeply passionate about, and to do so in community with dedicated professionals across California and beyond.

 

As we look ahead, I am excited to announce the 2026 conference theme:

Equity by Design: Reimagining Research, Policy, and Practice (Building Systems Where Every Learner Has a Fair Chance to Succeed).

This theme resonates deeply with me because I firmly believe that equity must be intentional—it must be designed into the systems we create, the policies we advance, and the practices we uphold. When we build systems with equity at the center, we create conditions where all students can succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

 

Please save the date for our 2026 conference, which will be held November 4–6, 2026, at the Omni Las Palmas in Palm Desert, California. We are excited to gather in a space that allows for meaningful collaboration, reflection, and inspiration as we continue advancing CERA’s mission.

 

Continued Connection and Growth

 

In addition to conference planning, we encourage members to be on the lookout for our upcoming webinar series, which will include both professional and personal development sessions. These opportunities are designed to support your growth, expand your networks, and deepen our collective learning throughout the year.

As always, we value your voice. I invite you to share your reflections, ideas, and goals for CERA. Please feel free to reach out to the Board by emailing: registration@caedresearch.org, we believe that collaboration and open dialogue strengthen our organization and help guide our future work.

 

Lastly, I encourage you to stay connected through our monthly newsletters and website for updates on webinars, professional learning opportunities, and conference information. I also ask that you continue to share CERA with your colleagues, educators, friends, and graduate students. Our community grows stronger when we bring others into this work.

I look forward to an inspiring and impactful year ahead and hope to see you in Palm Desert in 2026. 

 

In Community,

Dr. Antwanisha Williamson

2026 CERA President