Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: Living Our Values as a Caring Community
September 3, 2021
Colleagues,
We welcomed more than 100 students for a campus tour as part of the new Viking First Glance program designed to familiarize students with the campus and the many services available to them. Kudos to Student Involvement, Viking Navigators, Viking VIPs, Deans, staff, and others who participated and warmly welcomed students to our Valhalla campus.
And thanks to all who were on hand this week to help students find class locations, interpret schedules, get technology challenges resolved, and more. This is the time of year when our sites buzz with activity. Your enthusiastic presence is appreciated.
The work we do during these early weeks of the semester provides a strong start for students and contributes to their success in and out of the classroom. We are building their connection to WCC and their sense of belonging within our college community. As we help students settle in, we also welcome new faculty and staff to our community. We will host events for students and employees to help them build connections, so please be sure to check the event calendar on our website for details on what is scheduled.
Just a reminder that as we return to campus, our protocols are designed to keep our community safe while providing a welcoming environment to pursue our mission of teaching and learning. To support our well being, we have the following resources:
- The Department of Mental Health & Counseling Services shares this informative video with us. Please be sure that students are aware of a semester full of support programs and events.
- The college has partnered with NY Project Hope to provide virtual support groups for college employees. The first session was held yesterday afternoon and upcoming dates and information are here. This is an additional resource for employees to share thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential space throughout the fall semester.
- Each other! We are enduring through challenging times. Don’t be shy about reaching out to a colleague for a short walk, a brief chat, or other meaningful interactions which are a core part of our humanity and support for one another.
Finally, the remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on much of our county, leaving many areas flooded, property damage, and power/service interruptions. I hope that you and your loved ones are safe, and I appreciate your patience and concern for students and colleagues as they made their way to campus and remote classes.
Supporting each other is one of the most critical things we can do as we move forward together. Thanks for your role in our community of care.
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President