The inaugural EI Institute was convened early in 2004 and established the month of February for future conferences.  South Texas is typically blessed with good weather in February, and 2004 was no exception. The first Institute focused on EI instructional strategies, program development, interventions, and assessments aimed at improving the academic, career, leadership, and life effectiveness of students and faculty primarily in the college and university settings. Friendships and professional collaborations were established in 2004 that continue to strengthen and contribute to the expanding role of the positive assessment model of emotional intelligence in human development and happiness.