Hello NEOA! Welcome back! As we dive into the new academic year, I'm excited to remind you that the NEOA Annual Conference 2025 in Rhode Island is just around the corner. Save the dates: April 9-11, at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, RI There are many ways to get involved and help make this conference a fantastic experience for everyone. Our planning meetings will kick off later this month. The first meeting will be via Zoom on Tuesday, September 24th, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Here's the link to join: Zoom Meeting<https://ccri.zoom.us/j/6120835147?omn=94351145227&from=addon> (Meeting ID: 612 083 5147). This initial meeting is open to anyone interested in participating in the conference planning process in any capacity. We'll discuss the theme and start organizing our task list and sub-committees. We'd love to have representation from all programs on the committee, so please consider reaching out to your TRIO and GEAR UP regional groups to see who might want to join. No prior experience is necessary, but experienced voices are always welcome! I look forward to collaborating with everyone to create a great event for our pre-collegiate, collegiate, and adult programs. If you have any questions or want to chat before the meeting, please don't hesitate to reach out! Thank you! Heather Bacchiocchi (she/her/hers) Director, TRIO Student Support Services | Room 6304 Community College of Rhode Island 400 East Avenue Warwick, RI 02886 401-825-1037 ccri.edu<http://ccri.edu/> [Community College of Rhode Island] [Access, Student Support Services, A TRIO-Funded Program] [Access Plus, Student Support Services, A TRIO-Funded Program] www.ccri.edu/access<http://www.ccri.edu/access> www.ccri.edu/accessplus<http://www.ccri.edu/accessplus>