President’s Message

Dear SSEA Community, Colleagues, and Friends,

As I write my final message as President of SSEA, I reflect on our journey together over the past two years. It has been an immense privilege to serve this society—a community built on intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to advancing the study of emerging adulthood. As my term draws to a close, I want to express my gratitude for our collective work, acknowledge the transitions ahead, and extend a warm invitation to continue engaging in the SSEA’s next phase.

Looking back, I am proud of our strides in strengthening our society’s foundation as we grow. The launch of our new website has provided an accessible and engaging space for members to connect, share resources, and stay informed. Our appointed committees—Communications, Membership, Webinars/Events, and Mentorship—have continued to play a vital role in shaping our society’s direction, ensuring that SSEA remains an inclusive and supportive space for scholars at all career stages.

Looking ahead to our upcoming conference in Charleston, South Carolina, from June 4–6, 2025, we will build on that momentum from our first in-person conference in San Diego, California post COVID. While the previous conference did not only bring us back together in a shared physical space, it reaffirmed the importance of face-to-face dialogue in fostering meaningful scholarly or scientific? exchange. As leadership, we would like to thank our dedicated conference co-chairs, Karla Vermeulen and Itzel Eguiluz, along with their program committee, for their hard work in what I do not doubt will be another special event.

Given the sociopolitical climate in which we currently find ourselves, the importance of the upcoming conference cannot be underestimated as we intentionally seek to create an welcoming, thought-provoking, and reflective space in which the diverse realities that shape emerging adulthood across contexts are valued. Our theme, Thriving in Complexity, is a call to explore the challenges young people face today and an opportunity to engage critically with how structures, identities, and global events shape their development.

One of the strengths of SSEA is the community we foster that brings this Society to life. I extend my deepest gratitude to the Leadership Team, Governing Council, and our appointed committee chairs, who have dedicated countless hours to making this society a space of connection and growth. Your work—often behind the scenes—has made a tangible difference, and I deeply appreciate your commitment.

As we prepare for transitions in leadership, I want to warmly welcome the incoming President, Carolyn Barry, and soon-to-be elected Governing Council members. Leadership changes are not just moments of transition but opportunities for renewal. I am confident that the next phase of SSEA will be guided by a strong vision and commitment. If you are a member considering stepping into a leadership role, I encourage you to do so in the next (2027) cycle. We are always seeking new voices and perspectives to guide the future of this society.

Finally, to our members—thank you. Thank you for your scholarship, engagement, willingness to mentor and be mentored, and contributions to the broader discussions on emerging adulthood. This is a collective endeavor; SSEA would not be what it is without you.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming conference and witnessing how SSEA continues to evolve. Let’s continue to push the boundaries of our field, challenge existing paradigms, and create spaces that reflect the richness and complexity of emerging adulthood.

With gratitude and anticipation for what’s ahead,

Byron G. Adams

President, Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood (SSEA)