As we pass the midpoint of a busy and productive semester, I want to you know that I appreciate you.
Our buildings and our campus are bustling with the kinds of activity we perhaps took for granted before March 2020, and I am treasuring every moment.
I am excited to bask in the sounds of teaching and learning as I traverse the hallways. I am excited to see our schedules brim with activities that bring students, faculty and staff together to learn, connect and celebrate. I am excited to hear of faculty and their students attending professional conferences to share research, to learn and to network.
We’re hosting international visitors, guest lecturers, young children at the start of their educational journeys and local middle school students, many of whom can envision that our campus could someday become their academic home.
Recruitment events also are happening, including the on-campus and face-to-face Future Teachers and Educators Rising conferences.
So many young people who are considering a career in the classroom joined us to glimpse just what that future might offer – and, believe me, if I wasn’t already a teacher, the inspirational keynote address from 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year Kimberly Radostits would’ve sold me.
Non-traditional students are happily joining our family, thanks to the state’s Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) scholarship, and our Department of Special and Early Education is working hard to enroll more as we – and they – will confront the teacher shortage.
These are all worth cheering – and so are you. Thank you!
Because the college leadership team and I clearly value you, we continue to seek your input on our proposed revision to the Strategic Action Planning Framework, either in person or online.
Finally, as we prepare to flip our calendars to November, I ask you to take part in a donation drive beginning Monday, Nov. 1 to collect for the Huskie Food Pantry – which, unfortunately, is experiencing record numbers of visitors this fall.
Don’t forget that Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 8) is a state and university holiday, and please don’t forget to take care of yourself. You are important!
My best,
