What is the SEMC Program Committee? 

The SEMC Program Committee is a diverse group of dedicated museum and industry professionals who represent varying career levels, disciplines, and Southern regions. The Committee is responsible for reviewing annual conference session proposals, assisting with the organization of the programmatic offerings, and acting as session shepherds. Each year they are led by SEMC's Program Administrator and a Program Committee Co-Chair, who work closely together in the organization of the committee. 

PROGRAM COMMITTEE CORE COMMITTMENTS 

Volunteer Committee members must be able to actively participate in the following core commitments:

• Review session proposals and help select sessions in a small group team during February 2027. Teams will meet over several weeks, with each meeting lasting approximately 1–2 hours.
• Attend the March 11, 2027, Mid-Year Meeting in Columbia, SC to make official selections. (In-person strongly recommended to enhance your meeting experience; however virtual attendance is also possible.)
• Attend the full October 4–6, 2027, Annual Meeting in person.
• Shepherd at least two conference sessions during the Annual Meeting. Shepherding assignments will be made in April 2027. To learn more about being a session shepherd, see SEMC Shepherding Duties.
• Maintain communication and meet agreed-upon deadlines set throughout the year.

SEMC Program Committee participation requires a commitment of time, input, and potential travel costs, including the cost of the annual meeting registration. However, the rewards are immense. Members work alongside a diverse group of professionals, meet industry peers from across the Southeastern region, and become an essential part of the Annual Meeting Planning Team. Interested applicants can find more details about the requirements and workload in the Program Committee Guidelines. 

How can I apply?

Existing Program Committee members must reapply for the following year. This process regularly opens vacancies for new members. Any current SEMC member (individual, institutional, or industry partner) is welcome to review the Program Committee Guidelines and submit an application during the application window.

Applications for the 2027 Program Committee are now open and will close November 20, 2026.

Apply for the 2027 Program Committee

If you have any questions, contact Program Administrator, Heather Nowak at hnowak@semcdirect.net.

Thank you to the 2026 Program Committee Co-Chair: Sarah Graves

Sarah Graves (she/her) is an independent museum professional with nearly fifteen years of experience working alongside communities and cultural institutions across the southeastern United States. Currently serving as Curator of Academic Learning and Engagement at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts in Birmingham, Alabama, Sarah has spent the majority of her career helping museums achieve their visitor-centered goals through in-gallery interpretation, staff training and management, and mission- and data-driven program creation and evaluation that prioritize accessibility, dialogue, and community engagement.

Sarah received her PhD in Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Exhibitions with a focus on program evaluation and volunteer motivation and retention, her MA in Classical Civilizations and Museum Studies, and her BS in Anthropology from Florida State University. She serves the museum field in many professional leadership roles, including as a Museum Assessment Program Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), Content Advisory Committee Member for the 2026 AAM conference and the Program Committees Member for the Southeastern Museums Conference from 2022-2026, and as a long-time Member for the Council of Readers for the College Art Association (CAA).

The Program Committee Co-Chair works closely with the Program Administrator and assists in providing informational, administrative, and organizational support to the Program Committee at large throughout the year. 

THANK YOU 2026 SEMC PROGRAM COMMITTEE

SEMC2026 Mid-Year Meeting in Winston-Salem, NC

2026 Program Committee Co-Chair: Sarah Graves

THANK YOU 2025 SEMC PROGRAM COMMITTEE

SEMC2025 Mid-Year Meeting in Montgomery, AL

2025 Program Committee Co-Chair: Patrick Martin

 THank you 2024 SEMC PROGRAM COMMITTEE

SEMC2024 Mid-Year Meeting in Baton Rouge, LA

2024 Program Committee Co-Chair: Christa McCay

Thank you to the 2023 SEMC Program Committee!

SEMC2023 Mid-Year Meeting in Louisville, KY

2023 Program Committee Co-Chair: Timia Thompson

Thank you to the 2022 SEMC Program Committee!

SEMC2022 Hybrid Program Committee meeting Rogers, AR

2022 Program Committee Co-Chair: Beth Hoover-DeBerry

Take a look at images from the SEMC2021 mid-year meeting (March 2021)