To commemorate 51³Ô¹Ï’s 50th anniversary, we invited members to share their personal 51³Ô¹Ï journeys. To contribute your own 51³Ô¹Ï story, visit our page.
Learning From a Mosaic of Professionals
I first got involved with 51³Ô¹Ï by joining a very active Regional Group (shout-out: Minnesota!) to network with local professionals. The give-and-take between members is critical to individual IEC success and to our professional standards. IECs without the support of 51³Ô¹Ï are one step behind and we must challenge our professional knowledge boundaries in order to best serve our clients.
51³Ô¹Ï is my go-to community for knowledge and friendship, all rolled into one. I cherish the personal relationships I’ve built with 51³Ô¹Ï members. The 51³Ô¹Ï Mentor Match program has introduced me to several superstars in our organization. I’m proud to have supported them on their journey and excited that they represent our future!
One of my favorite conference memories is of Mark Sklarow and Kristina Dooley at the 2021 conference showing up in PJs and slippers, heralding our return to normalcy from the depths of Covid isolation!
My advice for newer IECs: Brush up on your business skills—the great IECs know colleges, but they also know how to run a business.
I have always thought it fascinating that 51³Ô¹Ï members have such multi-faceted backgrounds. There is no ‘best’ preparation for our work, and I remain excited to work alongside and learn from such a mosaic of professionals.
—Jenny Buyens, MBA, 51³Ô¹Ï (NJ)
Three Generations of IECs
My mom, Rita Goldberg, was one of the seven founders of 51³Ô¹Ï. According to her, the first 51³Ô¹Ï meeting occurred in a boarding school in Boston, which generously lent them a room where they could meet. She also created the first Regional Group: Tri-State. Upon her retirement, she created the 51³Ô¹Ï Foundation. She was very proud of her work with special needs children. In 2000, I joined 51³Ô¹Ï as a college consultant. I cannot imagine how I would have managed without the educational opportunities plus the support of so many wonderful and generous colleagues. My mom was very proud that I followed her footsteps. And now my daughter, Mollie Reznick, is also a member of 51³Ô¹Ï! Three generations! I couldn’t be prouder of my daughter.
One of my favorite memories is of my very first college bus tour, which began in DC and ended in Baltimore, where so many experienced IECs were gracious with their time and very encouraging. I retired almost 15 years ago, yet I am still in touch with many of my colleagues.
My advice for newer IECs: Only experience will give you the confidence that you need. But don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as that will only make you a better IEC.
—Suzan Reznick, 51³Ô¹Ï Emeritus (NY)
Diverse Specialties Working Together
I first became involved with 51³Ô¹Ï as an exhibitor during the Therapeutic Info Swap in 1991. I continued in that role with a therapeutic program for many years. I then worked for a related professional association and was asked to work contractually for 51³Ô¹Ï with IECs serving the therapeutic community. I later became an IEC and immediately applied for membership and that was now 12 years ago!
My favorite 51³Ô¹Ï experiences are when members from different disciplines work together as one. For example, working with my college consultant friends on how to best serve those students who might be struggling with mental health issues. Participating in small group opportunities and specific community groups have been most helpful to me. 51³Ô¹Ï is like a family that understands what you do and why you do it.
There was a conference where attendees wore pins that indicated how many years we had been involved with 51³Ô¹Ï. Mark Sklarow (former CEO) and I both looked at our pins and realized I had beat him by a few years, and he had been with 51³Ô¹Ï for MANY years; that meant I had been coming to 51³Ô¹Ï for a VERY long time!
My advice for newer IECs: Don’t be afraid to jump in and offer your skills and talents to the organization.
—Rosemary Tippett, MA, 51³Ô¹Ï (GA)