PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Prachee J. Devadas, President/CEO

In 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as the first National Women’s History Week. Thirty years later, we are celebrating the anniversary of what is now Women’s History Month. One measure of women’s progress during the past three decades is the number of people employed by women-owned government contracting firms. According to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Women's Business Ownership, Federal prime contracts held by women-owned businesses employ more than 7.1 million people. As one of Maryland’s many women-owned small businesses, SEI is pleased to know we are playing a role in women’s history. Nothing is more gratifying than helping to improve the lives of other citizens, particularly women, who, as directors, managers, coordinators, designers, writers, and editors at all stages of career development, make up more than half of SEI’s workforce. This month, as a part of the 2010 National Women’s History Project theme, “Writing Women Back into History," we are encouraging our staff and clients to write the positive contributions of women back into history so that the pivotal accomplishments of women continue to be documented for generations to come.

NEW contracts

SEI to Support ED through Three Blanket Purchase Agreement Pools

Through a series of indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity task orders, SEI will provide support to the U.S. Department of Education, including policy, program, and performance evaluation and analysis; research and assessment design; data collection and analysis; and technical assistance. Activities will include identifying problems in and improving the quality of the Department’s policy analyses and evaluations; and conducting assessments of the inputs, processes, and outcomes of programs and education solutions. More>>

SEI to Partner with CSC on Education Resources Information Center Contract

SEI was recently selected to partner with the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) of Rockville in support of meeting management and logistical services to the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), which houses the world's largest education database. Ranging from 10 to up to 120 participants, meetings will span from informal discussions to formal concurrent sessions with outcomes presented in formats such as recommendation reports, formal proceedings, white papers, and media documents. Meeting participants will include members of ERIC’s steering committee, context experts who recommend guidelines, and the public. More>>

SEI CARES

SEI Program Coordinator Serves on Street Wize Board

Leika Inniss, program coordinator for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Fellowship Program through SEI’s contract with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is committed to the positive development of healthy youth. She currently serves as a board member for the Street Wize Foundation (SWF), established in 2007 as a youth-based community education group. SWF educates youth ages 14 to 26 about common health risks affecting them and their peers and safe sex practices. Leika works with SWF’s Executive Director, Christopher Bryant, to market and brand the organization, secure grant funding, and assist in securing potential partnerships. Successful campaigns include the Go Gorilla Condom Distribution campaign, which involved a partnership with Downtown Locker Room. This campaign has hosted numerous youth-focused events, including National Black HIV Testing Day, “Lifestyle Thursdays,” and the Tigger Bike Ride.

SEI Donates Emergency Relief Funds to Victims of Haitian Earthquake

In response to the devastating January earthquake in Haiti, SEI made a financial donation to Direct Relief International. Direct Relief has worked closely for many years with local partners in Haiti who provide essential health services for people. SEI's thoughts are with the earthquake survivors.

NEW STAFF, NEW EXPERTISE

SEI Expands Network of Subject Matter Experts and Writer/Editors

SEI recruited one senior-level research and program professional and three new specialized writers/editors to provide expertise on SEI’s various contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and National Institutes of Health.

• Sara Crickenberger, M.A., M.F.A., Writer/Editor III
• Major General Elder Granger, M.D., Subject Matter Expert
• Robert J. Katt, Ph.D., Medical Science Writer
• Mary Ann Stephens, Ph.D., Medical Science Writer

Employee of the Quarter

Considered "Communications Central" by her colleagues and clients within SEI, Janelle A. Williams brings more than 6 years of experience as a publications and marketing professional to managing the flow of in-house deliverables, a role that she consistently performs with efficiency, courtesy, and accuracy. In addition to tracking projects, assigning staff, and monitoring due dates, Janelle is aware of Communication Services team members’ areas of expertise and SEI project directors’ preferences when assigning projects. She also produces most of SEI’s marketing copy, including regular updates to the corporate Web site and SEInfo. In addition to these daily responsibilities, Janelle writes and edits for contract work. Consistently high-performing, creative, and eager to learn, Janelle truly exemplifies SEI's commitment to excellence and innovation, and richly deserves to be awarded Employee of the Quarter.

Janelle A. Williams, Editor
SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.
8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 1440, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Office: (240) 485-1700 | Fax: (240) 485-1717 | www.SEIservices.com | info@SEIservices.com