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The Alphabet Soup Group: Our Sister Organizations
The Alphabet Soup Group (ASG) is comprised of leaders from five organizations involving Intensive English Programs (IEPs). Its current membership includes the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP), NAFSA's Administrators and Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL), Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages – Program Administrators – Interest Section (TESOL –PA IS), TESOL – Intensive English Programs Interest Section (TESOL -IEP IS), and University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). The group convenes during annual NAFSA conferences to discuss issues that affect the field of IEP administration as a whole and the concerns of each organization.
The following people were present at the first meeting in 1996: Peggy Pusch, President of NAFSA; Enid Cocke, Vice President of UCIEP; Joanne Geddes, Past President of UCIEP; Rhona Genzel, Past President of AAIEP; Linda Tobash, ATESL- Education and Training Committee representative and TESOL Political Concerns; Dennis Muchisky, ATESL Chair; Betty Soppelsa, ATESL Rep to the NAFSA Board. At that meeting, the importance of coordinating advocacy was discussed. NAFSA invited UCIEP and AAIEP representatives to the Fall Leadership Conference. The foundation for a network of communication among all present was laid at that meeting.
In 1997, ASG included Mike McCarry, a representative from the Alliance, at its second annual meeting. The issues of immigration reform, consular offices, improving public relations for ESL programs and the US image overseas formed the focus of the meeting. In addition, members discussed their work with the Department of Commerce and updates on what each organization was doing. The members – tongue in cheek – chose the name ASG for Alphabet Soup Group to mock the many acronyms our profession uses. (It is believed that Betty Soppelsa came up with the name.)
Meeting annually since then, ASG contributed greatly to the resumption of discussion and the ultimate resolution of issues involving program accreditation and the TCA/CEA problem in 1999. In 2000, it brought together associations to discuss government advocacy efforts and data collection. In 2001, it provided a listserv to its members, which has been extremely useful especially the past year for immediate information on CIPRIS/SEVIS. The annual ASG meetings provide an opportunity to meet counterparts in other organizations and to coordinate activities.
History
ASG was founded by AAIEP President, Rhona Genzel, when she sent out letters of invitation to the presidents and chairs of each of AAIEP, UCIEP and ATESL. On June 5, 1996, at the Annual NAFSA Conference in Phoenix, AZ, ASG had its first meeting. At that time, the purpose was to bring the three groups together in order to share information and to work together on important issues of interest to the profession.The following people were present at the first meeting in 1996: Peggy Pusch, President of NAFSA; Enid Cocke, Vice President of UCIEP; Joanne Geddes, Past President of UCIEP; Rhona Genzel, Past President of AAIEP; Linda Tobash, ATESL- Education and Training Committee representative and TESOL Political Concerns; Dennis Muchisky, ATESL Chair; Betty Soppelsa, ATESL Rep to the NAFSA Board. At that meeting, the importance of coordinating advocacy was discussed. NAFSA invited UCIEP and AAIEP representatives to the Fall Leadership Conference. The foundation for a network of communication among all present was laid at that meeting.
In 1997, ASG included Mike McCarry, a representative from the Alliance, at its second annual meeting. The issues of immigration reform, consular offices, improving public relations for ESL programs and the US image overseas formed the focus of the meeting. In addition, members discussed their work with the Department of Commerce and updates on what each organization was doing. The members – tongue in cheek – chose the name ASG for Alphabet Soup Group to mock the many acronyms our profession uses. (It is believed that Betty Soppelsa came up with the name.)
Meeting annually since then, ASG contributed greatly to the resumption of discussion and the ultimate resolution of issues involving program accreditation and the TCA/CEA problem in 1999. In 2000, it brought together associations to discuss government advocacy efforts and data collection. In 2001, it provided a listserv to its members, which has been extremely useful especially the past year for immediate information on CIPRIS/SEVIS. The annual ASG meetings provide an opportunity to meet counterparts in other organizations and to coordinate activities.
