As most of you know, Alan Hurwitz, NETAC's director, became dean of NTID this spring. We congratulate Alan on his achievement and feel confident knowing that we have a strong NETAC advocate in this important administrative position. Congratulations, Alan!

In mid-summer, I became director of NETAC. One of my first tasks was to hire new staff members for our growing office. We look forward to introducing you to our team that now includes Patricia Billies, Mary Lamb, and Charley Tiggs.

Pat, formerly coordinator of international student admissions for NTID's department of recruitment and admissions, is NETAC's new project coordinator. She brings with her 19 years of administrative and teaching experience at NTID and is a welcome addition to NETAC's efforts.

Mary joined NETAC in mid-summer as department secretary. Hers is the always-pleasant personality who handles most NETAC inquiries.

Charley formerly was an assistant dean of students at Texas Tech and a program director for a company providing services to persons with disabilities in Amarillo. With NETAC he will be responsible for documenting and evaluating our technical assistance provided within NETAC's 13 states and territories.

Additionally, Sherlea Dony has been promoted and is focusing her energy on the NETAC newsletter, our Web site presence, and other myriad tasks.

As we begin this academic year, please remember NETAC's main goal: to be of service to YOU. Through forums, workshops, internship opportunities, and other resources, we are here to help you better serve students at your institutions who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Our focus this year, in addition to our regular activities, will be to "open doors" for students who are deaf and hard of hearing at proprietary schools and those who offer certificate programs in our region.

Projects/publications in the works from the NETAC office include a package of teacher "Tipsheets;" additional National Task Force Reports; a training package for faculty/staff members who work with students who are hard of hearing; and a videotape/training program that explains the role of Vocational Rehabilitation in postsecondary education. If you'd like information on any of these initiatives, contact the NETAC office.

We look forward to working with you this year!

By phone or Internet, users can access the PEPNet Resource Center (PRC) for information and referrals about services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Postsecondary institutions welcoming their first deaf or hard-of-hearing student or seeking to expand their services can obtain information and referrals.

Established in 1997, PRC houses a wealth of books, videotapes, periodicals, documents, and academic research projects related to deafness. Internet users can browse these materials on the PRC web page, as well as find information about national and regional clearinghouses that can provide additional materials and resources. Training modules (teaching packages) are also available on a variety of subjects tailored to specific audiences (administrators, faculty, or support service providers).