My journey with ITE started with participation in the Student Chapter at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. ITE Student Chapters are a big reason many of today’s ITE members learned about and got involved in the organization. These groups provide camaraderie and leadership opportunities for our student members, help connect students and professionals with an interest in transportation, and begin to help build their network. By being involved in ITE, our students and young members develop leadership and communications skills that are essential in today’s world. They learn how to collaborate and work as a team with diverse groups of people including adults and peers with differing backgrounds and experiences.
As part of the current ITE Strategic Plan, a focus for ITE in 2022 was the Student to Younger Member initiative. The ITE Board rechartered more than 140 Student Chapters and worked with the Transportation Education Council to provide a webinar for Student Chapter Advisors and Liaisons. In October 2022, ITE launched the monthly Student Newsletter, highlighting upcoming students events and activities around the globe. ITE also started showcasing Student Chapter activities and current student leaders on social media. This year, we are focusing on enhancing student engagement at meetings and conferences and modernizing the Traffic Bowl. The goal is to identify opportunities to increase student participation at International and District meetings, and ensure the Traffic Bowl continues to be ITE’s student top event by modernizing its structure, making it more inclusive and relevant for students and members. At the Annual Meeting in Portland, OR, USA, and in partnership with ITE Western District, we will be providing two full days of activities for students to participate and engage in. Check out the ITE website and social media for more information.
ITE is investing in the profession’s future through LeadershipITE and the Young Leaders to Follow Programs. This issue includes the 2023 Young Leaders to Follow starting on page 13. Congratulations to all of these leaders, and thank you for all you are doing for ITE and your community! This year, the ITE Executive Committee is also engaging with young leaders at the District Meetings to hear their opinion on what ITE is doing well, learn how we can attract and retain more young members, and to hear new ideas that can bring added value to our younger members. To our more experienced members: next time you are at a Section, District or Annual Meeting, please reach out to our students and younger members and introduce yourself. They want to be engaged and have an opportunity to contribute their creativity and knowledge. To the students and younger members: Be yourself! I’m here today because someone told me that once and it stayed with me. Don’t be afraid to reach out, raise your hand and volunteer at ITE.
All of us at ITE want to create better and safer communities. If you are engaging and continue to engage others along the way, you will create meaningful connections and friends for life. This month, I will be visiting ITE Canada, Grand Lakes, and Mountain Districts at their Annual Meetings, and I look forward to engaging with the members at these gatherings. If you have any comments or questions for me, feel free to reach out at rosana.correa@jacobs.com or on the ITE e-Community.