Weekly Letter from the Provost鈥擲ept. 12
Dear faculty and staff, 听
It is a true pleasure to write to you as we begin a new academic year together. Over the past few weeks, I鈥檝e had the opportunity to meet many of you鈥攚hether at Convocation, the New Faculty Luncheon, or in early listening and learning tour sessions鈥攁nd I continue to be inspired by the energy, dedication, and care you bring to our students and to each other.听
I鈥檓 excited to introduce my weekly Office of the Provost newsletter: a communication designed to celebrate the outstanding work of our academic community and keep everyone informed about key developments in Academic Affairs. Each issue will begin with important announcements. I will also include a spotlight on at least one of our Academic Affairs goals, a recap of things we are working on, that week鈥檚 activities, followed by important dates鈥攅nsuring that this newsletter is both transparent and meaningful.听
Academic Affairs Goals
Our work this year centers on three Academic Affairs Goals:听
2. Improve career outcomes and better prepare all students to succeed and lead in an AI-transformed workforce听
3.听Strengthen academic excellence听
Later in the quarter, we will offer a way for you to submit achievements and events you would like to share with the community which highlight these goals. You will hear more about these in the coming weeks.听
Celebrating Our Academic Community
While this is still my first month at 吃瓜大本营, I have participated in several important celebrations, including:听
- Summer Commencement held in Magness Arena. I was honored to participate in the ceremony and congratulate our graduates.听
- Summer Doctoral Hooding, where I personally hooded our doctoral graduates鈥攁 moment that reflects years of dedication, scholarship, and mentorship.听
- New Faculty Luncheon, co-hosted by the Office of the Provost and Faculty Senate, welcomed nearly 40 new faculty members to 吃瓜大本营, representing almost every college or school. The luncheon was part of a day-long orientation hosted by the Office for Faculty Affairs and included meeting with academic leadership, Sweet Cow ice cream, a campus tour, and mocktails provided by the Well@吃瓜大本营.听
Welcome, Class of 2029 and Transfer Students!
This fall, we welcome nearly 1,180 first-time students representing 47 states and 28 countries, hailing from 791 high schools. In this outstanding class:听
- 听 听 49% enter 吃瓜大本营 with college credit, bringing in over 14,000 quarter hours through AP, IB, and college courses听
- 听 听 8% already have second year standing听
- 听 听 59% are more than 500 miles from home, and 67% are from out of state听
- 听 听 35% identify as students of color听
- 听 听 21% will be the first in their family to graduate from college听
We also welcome 163 transfer students from 115 schools across 28 states and 10 countries. Among them:听
- 听 听 55% are coming from four-year schools and 45% from two-year schools听
- 听 听 26% are first-generation students听
- 听 听 33% identify as students of color听
- 听 听 48% are living on campus and 31% previously applied to 吃瓜大本营听
- 听 听 9% are current or former military听
Along with Chancellor Haefner, it was my privilege to officially welcome these students during Convocation, a 吃瓜大本营 tradition that marks the beginning of their academic journey. Families, faculty, and staff lined the walkways from Magness Arena as students made their way to Campus Green for dinner with loved ones and new friends. Thank you to everyone who helped make this moment memorable.听
Celebrating Excellence in Academic Advising
At 吃瓜大本营, we recognize that the advisor-student relationship is one of the most impactful during a student鈥檚 time here. Advising is a high-touch, deeply personal practice that is essential to student success, and this year I was honored to celebrate that commitment through the Provost鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Academic Advising.听
We received over 100 nominations for more than 80 staff and faculty advisors, a testament to the strength and care of our advising community. This year we honored:听
Faculty Advisor of the Year: Todd Wells
Todd Wells, PhD joined the 吃瓜大本营 in 2001, and over the past 24 years, he has become a cornerstone of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where he currently serves as associate teaching professor and associate chair. While he brings a deep knowledge of chemistry into the classroom, it is his connection with students that truly defines his career. 听
One student nominator wrote, 鈥淭his man does so much that is never recognized, and he does it because it is the right thing to do. He is the definition of the type of employee that represents 吃瓜大本营鈥檚 values, and he is one of the best people I鈥檝e ever met in my life.鈥
Staff Advisor of the Year: Shawntisha Bailey
Shawntisha Bailey has been advising music students in the Lamont School of Music since 2023. She is currently pursuing a dual master鈥檚 degree in public policy and international human rights at the Korbel School of International Studies. She received five student nominations, reflecting the meaningful impact she has made in a short time.听
As one of these five wrote, 鈥淚've felt like I've been able to grow under her care, while feeling incredibly well supported. Without her empowerment I wouldn't be graduating this year.鈥澨
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our academic advisors. Thank you for guiding, mentoring, and advocating for our students. Your work makes a meaningful and lasting difference.听
Tips for Supporting Our Students
Based on summer advising surveys, here are a few ways we can support our students and make a difference:听
- Help students balance responsibilities鈥擬any students cited time management and workload as top concerns. Consider sharing strategies for prioritizing tasks and maintaining well-being.听
- Connect them to resources鈥擲tudents want guidance on where to find academic support, career services, and 吃瓜大本营 wellness resources. A quick referral can have a big impact. Contacting听Academic Advising is a good start!听
- Encourage goal setting鈥47% of students want help developing academic and career goals. Conversations about pathways and opportunities matter.听
- Normalize challenges鈥擜cademic workload and entering a new environment are common anxieties. Reassuring students that these feelings are normal can ease their transition.听
Listening and Learning Tour Begins
As part of my commitment to shared governance and inclusive leadership, I have launched listening and learning sessions across colleges, schools, and academic units. I look forward to hearing directly from you鈥攜our insights, experiences, and aspirations for our University. If I haven鈥檛 visited your unit yet, I look forward to meeting you soon.听
For those who have already participated, thank you鈥攁nd remember: don鈥檛 share the questions!听
Join Me for Lunch!
In closing, I would be delighted to meet you and hope you will join me in the Faculty Lounge, CCOM 2800, on the first and third Monday of every month beginning in October. 听
I am hopeful these gatherings are a nice opportunity for me to get to know you, exchange ideas, and strengthen our academic community. Feel free to bring your questions, ideas, or updates you鈥檇 like to share.听
Warm regards,听
Elizabeth