Message from Dr. Belinda S. Miles: Traditions & Celebrations
April 15, 2022
Colleagues,
Our traditions and celebrations continue! Commencement is less than a month away and we look forward to honoring our graduates and 50-year alumni during three ceremonies celebrating students by school on Thursday, May 12. We are excited to bring this special event back to our Valhalla campus. Thanks to Amy Mozingo, Tiago Machado, Ed Tatton, their planning team, and all other contributors for making this a meaningful and memorable experience for students. Watch your email for additional details which are also posted on the web event calendar.
While this is the time of year we focus on achievements, we also know that the pathway to completion has not been easy for everyone. Please extend appreciation to your colleagues for the extra patience, assistance, and grace offered to each other and students as we continue to work our way through the spring semester.
Here is a Chronicle of Higher Ed article on student disconnection and challenges that faculty have faced keeping students engaged in learning. What are your experiences in the classroom? In your advising appointments? At service counters? And what are your strategies to keep students connected?
Please let students know that we have resources available to them including workshops, programs, and support groups sponsored by the Department of Mental Health and Counseling Services as well as services offered in their beautiful new suite and through Student Support Services, both in the Student Center.
Thank you for all you are doing to help prepare students for graduation, transfer, entering the workforce, or continuing their studies here at WCC. Student retention is as critical in growing our enrollment as attracting new students and community members to the college. Our next big push to recruit a new class of Vikings will be at our Open House on April 30. Please explore how you can participate with your dean or VP. We need all hands on deck.
In closing, please be sure to review updated information emailed this morning from the Pandemic Response Team and share it with colleagues who may not have accessed it.
For those celebrating, wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyous Ramadan, Passover, and Easter.
Dr. Belinda S. Miles
President