Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles – January 22, 2016
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back to those who were on break. Thanks to those of you who have been working non-stop to help students enroll for the new semester!
We’ve made rapid progress on improving student success outcomes. New completion functions, personnel, and activities. New articulation agreements for pathways through and beyond various curricula. New high school partnerships. New college placement initiatives. Four new schools underway. A new enrollment management function. Continued commitment to academic quality and learning excellence. And a restructured workforce development and community education division in process. Our students excel in so many ways and our graduation rate is at an all-time high. We’ve done much!
Last fall, I promised to hit the “reset” button. We should have focus and intention in our work, and that means taking time together to discuss where we are and where we’re going. In 2016, I will spend more time with members of our faculty and staff building upon, supporting, and expanding the systems, processes, and offerings that best support our students. I’d like to take a deeper dive in our work together to help students. I look forward to learning more about what you do so well and to new and continuing projects that will connect us. We’ll start with a welcome back town hall on Monday, February 15th. We’ll send details soon.
I foresee many years of expanded excellence at the college. We have abundant talent and enthusiasm here, and I’m honored to be part of this chapter of the college’s history.
More immediately, a big winter storm is in the forecast with predictions calling for the heaviest snowfall south of us. But weather changes quickly, so check our website for information on delays or closures and stay safe.
I have successfully escaped inclement weather in Washington, D.C. where I was attending my first meeting as a new appointee to the President’s Trust—a part of AACU’s Liberal Education and America’s Promise initiative to promote the importance of a twenty-first century liberal education. I believe that we will learn much from and contribute significantly to this inspiring connection.
Thanks for making it a great week.
Warm regards,
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President