Following the June 30 announcement that Bill Baer, incoming President of the UWSA, will be retiring effective August 1, the UWSA Board of Directors met to review the implications for the Association’s leadership and governance. As the body responsible for the Association’s strategic direction and effective governance, the Board has oversight of leadership succession matters.
After careful consideration and discussion, the Board has decided to recommend to the membership an extension of the current President, Alyssa Kuron, for an additional year. This recommendation will be put forward to the membership for approval through a special vote, which will take place from July 22 to 29, 2026.
The Board’s recommendation is based on the importance of maintaining strategic continuity during this transition period. Extending the current president’s term will allow Alyssa to continue advancing key initiatives, see long-term projects through to completion, and build on the momentum established over the past year. It also helps preserve institutional knowledge, supports organizational stability, and strengthens governance by providing consistent leadership.
This recommendation also comes amid several months of Board discussion about the role of the President. The Board has been reviewing matters such as term length, performance evaluation, and eligibility, and has been developing governance policies for the position. The Board will provide members with an update on this work in the coming weeks.
Please note that this recommendation does not change the process for electing the next President, for the 2027–2028 term; those election details will be shared later this summer.
We encourage all members to participate in this important vote. Please keep an eye on your inbox for further details and a link to the ballot on July 22.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support of the UWSA.