February 14, 2025

Fellow SoACE Members, 

I am honored to serve as the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers President for the 2025-2026 term. Alongside our dedicated board of directors, I am proud to represent more than 1,900 members in higher education and talent acquisition. Together, we will build on the Association’s reputation for fostering connections and celebrating our amazing community of dedicated professionals.

This year, I am focused on initiatives to enhance member engagement and elevating awareness on the importance of our work. 

Member Engagement

Members are the heart of our Association. Volunteering in Knowledge Groups, committees, task forces, and ad hoc roles are in our core. We’re committed to celebrating our membership and offering opportunities for members to take the next steps in becoming a SoACE leader. 

Bottom Line Impact
We engage in meaningful work helping students and candidates succeed in their lives after graduation. At times, sharing our wins and accomplishments can get lost in the whirlwind. Sharing effective approaches, best-practice examples, and positive attitudes on how we can inform our stakeholders can lead to resource investments and a better understanding of our efforts. 

Community of Professional and Personal Growth
SoACE’s greatest attribute is the knowledge and experience each member possesses. By sharing innovative strategies and expanding our networks, we’re building a stronger, more connected Association —ensuring that wherever you are or whatever you are facing, you are linked to an incredible group of recruiting and higher education professionals to support you. 

I want to take a moment to thank Summer Salazar along with all the board members that currently serve and have served before me for their leadership and ongoing support to ensure the success of SoACE. 

As the year unfolds, I look forward to connecting with you—at the Employer Relations Summit in Louisville, through volunteer opportunities, and most significantly at our Annual Conference in Nashville. Let’s make this a year filled with purpose and intention. 

Sincerely, 

Ralph Leal, SPHR
President, Southern Association of Colleges and Employers
Director of Career Engagement & Corporate Relations, Texas A&M University-Kingsville