Weekly Letter from the Provost鈥擭ov. 21
This weekly newsletter will serve as one of many tools my office will use to keep you informed and engaged as we make progress toward our three goals for Academic Affairs. Thank you for your interest and support. 听
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If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please . Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week鈥檚 newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week. 听听
As we conclude the fall quarter, let me extend my deepest thanks for your efforts, big and small, toward fulfilling 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 academic mission during my first term at 吃瓜大本营. We will pause the weekly newsletter next week in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and will resume publication on Friday, Dec. 5.听
Today鈥檚 update falls into four categories: 听听
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If you have suggestions for what we should include in future communications, please . Suggestions received before noon on Monday will be reviewed and considered for publication in that week鈥檚 newsletter. Others will be held for consideration until the following week. 听听
As we conclude the fall quarter, let me extend my deepest thanks for your efforts, big and small, toward fulfilling 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 academic mission during my first term at 吃瓜大本营. We will pause the weekly newsletter next week in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, and will resume publication on Friday, Dec. 5.听
Today鈥檚 update falls into four categories: 听听
- Campus news and happenings 听听
- Goal 1: Shape enrollment and improve retention and graduation rates for all students 听
- Goal 2: Improve career outcomes and better prepare our students to succeed and lead in an AI-transformed workforce 听
- Goal 3: Strengthen academic excellence听
Campus News and Happenings
Faculty of Color Association (FOCA) Meeting听
On Wednesday, Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and I accepted FOCA鈥檚 invitation to participate in their November meeting. I appreciated the opportunity to share insights on my listening/learning sessions, 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 pathway to developing a new academic strategy, and to engage with FOCA on a number of important and relevant topics for 吃瓜大本营.听
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Promotion and Tenure Celebration
On Thursday afternoon, the Office for Faculty Affairs hosted a reception to honor 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 recently promoted and/or tenured faculty, their families, and guests. My thanks to the faculty who attended this year鈥檚 celebration and to their deans for being on hand to take part in honoring them on this significant career milestone. Finally, thank you to Leslie Hasche, vice provost for faculty affairs, and Terese Rainwater, senior project manager, for organizing this lovely event. Congratulations to all of our newly promoted and tenured faculty!听
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Listening and Learning Sessions Continue听
On Thursday, I had a great joint meeting with the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects and the Office of Graduate Education, both overseen by Corinne Lengsfeld, senior vice provost for research and graduate education. These two offices play indispensable roles supporting our goals for graduate student success and promoting greater academic quality, as measured by scholarly and creative impacts. Both offices have been under tremendous pressure to provide guidance and leadership during this time of significant change in federal funding and policy priorities鈥攖heir service is worthy of recognition and commendation.听
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Goal 1: Shape Enrollment and Improve Retention and Graduation Rates
Committee Kickoff Meeting Completed听
Today, I delivered my charge to the , answered initial questions, and yielded the remaining meeting time to co-chairs Corinne Lengsfeld and Todd Rinehart to begin their work. I asked the committee to develop a formal report by May 31, 2026, which I will share broadly upon completion. 听
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Fellowship Advising Workshop for Faculty and Staff听
Fellowships and scholarships provide students with opportunities that can significantly enhance their academic experience, broaden their perspectives, and support their long-term goals. These awards often open doors to research opportunities, leadership development, and global engagement鈥攅xperiences that shape future careers and scholarly contributions.听
Faculty and staff play a critical role in helping our students access these opportunities. Your guidance can make the difference in whether a student applies for and earns a competitive award.听
To support this work, the Office of Scholarship Development and Fellowship Advising (SDFA) will host a workshop on Thursday, Dec. 4.听
The session will focus on:听
Faculty and staff play a critical role in helping our students access these opportunities. Your guidance can make the difference in whether a student applies for and earns a competitive award.听
To support this work, the Office of Scholarship Development and Fellowship Advising (SDFA) will host a workshop on Thursday, Dec. 4.听
The session will focus on:听
- Identifying awards that align with students鈥 academic and professional aspirations听
- Incorporating fellowship planning into advising conversations听
- Knowing when and how to consult SDFA for additional guidance听
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025听
Time: 10 a.m. 鈥 noon MST听
Location: Zoom (link will be provided upon registration)听
Please register through to receive the Zoom link. 听
This workshop is open to all student-facing faculty and staff interested in strengthening their understanding of fellowship advising.听
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Time: 10 a.m. 鈥 noon MST听
Location: Zoom (link will be provided upon registration)听
Please register through to receive the Zoom link. 听
This workshop is open to all student-facing faculty and staff interested in strengthening their understanding of fellowship advising.听
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Goal 2: Improve Career Outcomes and Better Prepare Our Students to Succeed and Lead in an AI-transformed Workforce
Committee Kickoff Meeting This Week
On Tuesday, I charged the , answered their questions, and transitioned the agenda to co-chairs Liz Lierman and Lorenzo Patelli. I asked to receive the committee鈥檚 final report by May 31, 2026, and will release it publicly shortly thereafter.听
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Scorecard Data Affirms 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 Value Proposition to Graduates
According to the most recent , 吃瓜大本营 graduates鈥 median earnings were $71,155. The median earnings midpoint for graduates from all four-year colleges in the country was $53,727. Salaries for 吃瓜大本营 graduates were $17,428 higher, or over 32% higher than the median earnings midpoint for peers from all four-year institutions.听
Projected over time, this suggests a lifetime earnings difference of $941,709 for those who attended 吃瓜大本营.听
Projected over time, this suggests a lifetime earnings difference of $941,709 for those who attended 吃瓜大本营.听
- Assumes $3,844,807 total lifetime earnings for the 吃瓜大本营 population (based on 37 years of work starting at $71,155 from the time of scorecard reporting at approximately age 28 to retirement at age 65, with 2% annual increases)
- Assumes $2,903,098 lifetime earnings for all four-year college peers (based on 37 years of work starting at $53,727 with 2% annual increases)听
Goal 3: Strengthen Academic Excellence听
Committee Kickoff Meeting This Week
Today, I met with to deliver the formal charge and answer questions. I yielded the meeting鈥檚 remaining time to co-chairs Leslie Hasche and Jennifer Karas to strategize and plan for the delivery of a final report, which will be shared across the 吃瓜大本营 community after it is submitted on May 31, 2026.听
Request for Proposals: 2026 Professional Research Opportunities for Faculty
The 2026 Professional Research Opportunities for Faculty (PROF) request for proposals (RFP) is now available! Proposals are due Feb. 2, 2026, by 5 p.m. The PROF Fund supports faculty research and creative work that advances the 鈥淥ne 吃瓜大本营鈥 vision. Awards are available up to $27k for single investigators and $45k for multidisciplinary teams.听
What is new this year? 听
What is new this year? 听
- New area group: professional inquiry projects were added鈥攑lease see the RFP for details.听
- New requirement: all PIs and co-PIs must complete the Research Policy Relay 2025 training by the submission deadline. Proof of completion will be tracked via MediaSpace.听
- Proposals must be submitted via Qualtrics; email submissions will not be accepted.听
Applicants can find the RFP, application, and budget template on the (吃瓜大本营 login required).听
Questions? Please contact Audry LaCrone.听
Questions? Please contact Audry LaCrone.听
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Reminder: Celebrating Research and Creative Excellence
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has introduced the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works (RSCW) Awards, honoring faculty whose unique accomplishments make a meaningful impact. These annual awards recognize excellence across career stages and disciplines. We are extending the nominations window through Dec. 3, 2025. Community members can explore the award categories and whose work embodies the spirit of discovery and creativity.听
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Join Me for Lunch
Thank you to all the faculty who were able to join me in the faculty lounge (Community Commons, 2800) for our 鈥淔irst and Third Mondays鈥 lunches this quarter. In recognition of your service during the fall quarter, and to be respectful of everyone鈥檚 need to recharge and prepare for the winter and spring terms, we will pause these lunches during the month of December. We will resume once we return in the new year鈥擨 look forward to seeing you at future gatherings. 听
Sincerely, 听
Elizabeth G. Loboa听
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor听
Sincerely, 听
Elizabeth G. Loboa听
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor听
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