Greetings! My name is Dr. Jason Wallace, and I serve as an associate professor of higher education leadership at Mississippi State University. I also have the honor of serving as your Vice President for Scholarship and Research. A few important things about me: I'm a gamer. I'm a Beyoncé fan. And, most importantly, I'm a proud Texan.

Though I have not lived in Texas in over a decade, let me be clear: I was born a Texan, and I will die a Texan. Yes, I spent six years flirting with the state of Georgia. Who doesn't love the streets of Atlanta and the rolling hills of northeast Georgia? And yes, I'm currently in a committed relationship with Mississippi. Nothing compares to the peace and beauty of the great state of Mississippi. But let's not get it twisted, there's just something about Texas that will always feel like home. Said otherwise, Texas will always be bae. And in the words of Tabitha Brown, “that's my business.”

Back in 2015, I arrived in Greenville, South Carolina, for my very first SACSA conference. I was more than a little apprehensive about this whole SACSA thing, but I decided to give it a chance. I recall thinking that South Carolina was cute, but still, she was no Texas. Yet, it was in Greenville, SC, where my life changed forever.

It was in Greenville, South Carolina, that I fell in love with SACSA. It was there that I found an organization that truly resonated with me. It was there that I connected with people who felt more like family than colleagues. It was in Greenville that SACSA became my professional home.

Since then, I've had the privilege of attending many professional conferences, each with its own memorable moments and meaningful connections. While each conference has brought something special, much like Texas, only one has felt like home. SACSA is home. And there's no place like home.

It was in Greenville where SACSA became my home. I hope that, if it isn't already, SACSA will become your home in Greenville, too.

See you in November, SACSA fam. 💙