Dear W&M Colleagues, 

This quarterly newsletter marks the beginning of a new academic year. Every season builds momentum, from record-setting philanthropy and scholarship support to the kick off of new majors, minors, ERP, and housing and dining facilities. We also welcome new leaders, including the chief human resources officer, director of sustainability, executive director of facilities operations, director of internal audit, and university controller. From an organization-building perspective, William & Mary is enjoying a victory lap.

Internally, W&M faculty and staff are working hard on operational improvements. Faculty are adopting Blackboard Ultra for courses and improving digital accessibility. Others are adjusting to new office spaces and accommodating construction. 

We are all adapting to Workday, and your efforts to identify and report issues are driving stabilization. Your thoughtful re-examination of existing business processes will guide us into the future.  It is satisfying to see issues resolved and progress made by the day. Your hard work is paying off!

Lately I’ve returned to Dr. Peter Atwater’s advice from the inaugural W&M Professional Development Days in 2024 that helps us manage change. Peter’s framework helps me understand why we feel vulnerable, how our perception of confidence impacts our work, and how to solve for both.

“Rather than putting all our energy into avoiding crises — seeking to be perfect or flawless in our execution — we are better served knowing we will make mistakes and there will be crises ahead,” Peter writes. “With this in mind, we should strive not to always be confident, but to be resilient — able to persevere and make our way back to the Comfort Zone.” 

If there’s one quality W&M has developed over 300 years, it’s resilience. We know how to extend grace to ourselves and others and to take a long view of our work as building that foundation for the next century. We will make mistakes; none of which will be remembered a decade from now when we’re well past this period of transition.

Or as President Rowe reminds us: “Our goal is not to be perfect; the goal is to be awesome.”

Yours in William & Mary success, 

Mike Todd
Executive Vice President

The fall  semester welcomed a few new faces (or familiar faces in fresh roles) on our team.  Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on their new positions. 

Anne Roemer, Chief Human Resources Officer

Currently deputy chief human capital officer for NASA, Anne will join W&M as CHRO beginning in November. Anne brings over two decades of experience and strengths in areas critical during times of transition. Anne received her first job offer from NASA after striking up a conversation with someone who worked at the Johnson Space Center at a Roanoke College job fair.

Marc Kelly, Executive Director of Facility Operations 

Marc leads the team that keeps our campus running safely and fosters sustainable, innovative environments where students, faculty and staff learn, work and grow. His expertise lies in bringing people together to solve problems and improve systems. Marc said, “W&M is more than just where I work, it’s a community I care deeply about.” 

Eden Harris, Chief of Staff

After 13 years in Auxiliary Services & Trademark Licensing (where she reviewed a shocking 25,000 pieces of art) Eden steps into a new role as the EVP’s Chief of Staff.  With a background in higher ed, nonprofits and the private sector, Eden brings an emphasis on marketing, comms and project management to her work and enjoys serving as a dot-connector across all areas of campus.

Diane Martz, Controller

Diane joins W&M from St. John Fisher University where she served as the controller for over seven years. Here, she is responsible for fiscal operations and will continue to work towards delivering comprehensive and efficient financial services that support the institution's strategic goals, including accounting, payroll, bursar and compliance.

Ann Kildahl, PhD, Director of Sustainability

Ann joins William & Mary from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she worked with leadership, faculty, staff, and students to develop the ONE VCU Sustainability Plan. Ann launched her career in sustainability at the University of Hong Kong as its first sustainability manager. 

Tim Dean, PE, Director of Design & Construction

Tim brings a wealth of experience in planning, design, engineering, and construction to W&M as the leader of the office’s project management staff. Tim has deep expertise not only in project management and team development, but also stormwater systems, utility development and site planning. 

Campus Comprehensive Plan
William & Mary's Board of Visitors approved the university's proposed Campus Comprehensive Plan, following two years of collaborative work and in-depth engagement with students, faculty, staff and the Williamsburg community. The Campus Comprehensive Plan is a framework for the stewardship and physical development of the university's campuses and landholdings over the next 100 years. Distinct from a traditional campus master plan, it is designed to be a living document that can evolve with the university's changing needs and priorities. The plan identifies opportunities to enhance or

invest through a holistic lens, incorporating principles such as accessibility and sustainability across the board. It also ensures the university's compliance with reaccreditation requirements. Learn more on the Campus Comprehensive Plan homepage and in W&M News' coverage. 

Student Housing
Before move-in, the developer of the five new residence halls informed W&M that three — Cedar Hall, Pine Hall and Oak Hall — would be delayed. Thanks to the determined and collaborative work of teams from Student Affairs, Business Affairs and others, roughly 900 students were temporarily relocated. The good news is that more than 500 students were able to move into the gorgeous new Pine Hall recently with the help of free professional movers, and we’re looking forward to opening Oak and Cedar soon.

Visit Instagram to tour Pine Hall with Taylor

Explore Oak Hall with W&M students

The Wren Building

Preservation efforts continue at the Wren. A decorative scrim, or graphic overlay, was added to the scaffolding on the east facade of the building over the summer, giving our community a peek into the beauty of the original brick. The team is working on gutter repairs and installation, wood repairs in spaces like windows and balconies, roofing tiles and preparations for internal repairs. The Wren's iconic weathervane has returned to its rightful perch.

You can find regular project  updates on the Wren Preservation homepage. 

Even as we work to prepare the building for its 330th birthday, Wren operations remain very active — and the team is working on a construction project of their own, in miniature!

We invite you to help build the Lego brick version of the Wren Building, which when finished will span 64 square feet. Learn more and how to participate at W&M News which covered the recent launch of the small-scale project, including a visit from Bruce Christian ’73, who is funding the project, (and his Lego-loving grandson).

Workday Roundtable Discussions
The Workday change management team is in the process of holding roundtable discussions with stakeholders from across campus. These discussions provide a forum for communicating present challenges, addressing priorities to ensure our efforts align with your key concerns, and facilitating constructive two-way dialogue.

The Workday Watch newsletter lists upcoming discussions. If you want to request an in-person or virtual visit, please email the change management team at workdayproject@wm.edu. We look forward to hearing your questions, feedback and insights as we continue this journey together. 

Digital Accessibility

Fix Your Content Day is November 18, 2025.

Each year, Blackboard hosts a nationwide competition to fix as many accessibility issues in courses as possible within 24 hours. In line with W&M's commitment to inclusive education, the university's multi-division digital accessibility team is organizing opportunities to compete and improve your course content.

Express interest in participating and keep an eye out for more information.

Emma Newsletter Tool Information Session October 23, 2025

The Emma newsletter platform is a new resource at William & Mary that lets campus users share engaging, branded email newsletters that give you full insight into the metrics of your content. Currently available on a limited basis, Emma accounts are distributed on a case by case basis. While access is limited for now, the tool is expected to expand more broadly in the future.

Any newsletter producers interested in using Emma are welcome to join the project team for an information session on Thursday, October 23 at 2 p.m. on Teams. To share more information about your newsletter with the project team, please fill out the application to use Emma. 

ChatGPT Edu Pilot 

William & Mary officially launched its ChatGPT Edu pilot program this fall. This enterprise-grade AI initiative provides select faculty and staff with advanced tools to enhance teaching, research, and university operations while maintaining the highest standards of data protection.  A collaborative effort between multiple schools and departments, this pilot represents our commitment to responsible AI integration in higher education. 

Interested in learning more about AI? The AI Events calendar has several dates for training and discussions, including the AI Power Hour hosted by Dean Douglas Schmidt and Chief Information Officer Ed Aractingi.

Looking Forward to Fiscal Year 2026

In preparation for the beginning of the next fiscal year, recent presentations to the Board of Visitors established a shared understanding of the university’s financial standing and drivers for FY26. 

Overall, W&M has confident positioning going into the next fiscal year. First-year student retention has returned to 95% following a dip during pandemic, and our graduation rate continues to exceed 90%. Another significant achievement: As of Fall 2024, the university achieved 12.1% growth in undergraduate enrollment from 2019-2024. The resulting revenue growth enabled W&M to limit tuition increases well below market levels for two years, following a period of five years holding tuition flat, despite steep inflation. 

The university’s mission drives how funds are used. President Rowe said recently, “William & Mary’s values keep us focused on what matters now and what will endure: academic excellence, student outcomes, and serving the greater good.” Expenditures align with efforts that amplify the talent, resources and impact of student learning, research and applied practice. Critically, Chief Financial Officer Sean Galloway communicated to the BOV that W&M is preparing students to succeed on campus and beyond, positioned to excel in careers in Virginia and globally.

Key Drivers for FY26
Revenue:

Expenditures :

Updates to Talent Learning & Development

University Orientation for New Employees is now fully digital
UHR has launched a fully digital University Orientation. Instead of a one-size-fits-all introduction, employees now experience a modern, engaging program that reflects W&M’s culture of belonging and excellence. Orientation is the first step in helping every employee see themselves as an essential part of our mission, and UHR is excited for this improvement. 

New Benefits Orientation
Benefits Orientation is also now a digital program, transforming what was once an overwhelming experience into a clear and empowering session. Features like navigation have vastly improved, and the program now supports practical examples and anytime access. Feedback indicates that the new design is more consistent, meaningful and respects employees’ time. 

New Safe Hire Training
Safe Hire Training, which is required for people leading or serving on search committees, has been redesigned. Safe Hire equips supervisors and committees with tools to make fair, transparent, and consistent hiring decisions grounded in integrity and aligned with best practices.

Horizon Leadership Program
Launching October 28, the Horizon Leadership Program is the first step in W&M's leadership pathway, offering a seven-month immersive experience for emerging leaders across the university. Using a hybrid method of learning, participants will complete the program with a personalized leadership portfolio that aligns with the university’s core values. Registration is now closed after the office received an overwhelming response.

University Policy Working Group

Over the summer, university leadership charged the University Policy Working group to improve how William & Mary creates and implements new and revised policies. Pamela Mason, chief compliance officer, chairs the working group and will facilitate a multi-phase process to ensure the university is in compliance with requirements for policy initiation, drafting, and implementation. The committee will include representation from major central administrative areas and the University Counsel's office will advise. 

The goals of the group include:

Important Deadlines

TODAY October 13 | Values in Action award nominations 

November 5 | Digital Safety Training (required) 

November 7 | Fire Safety Training (required) 

University Events & Closures

October 16 - 19 | W&M Homecoming

November 4 | Election Day | Offices closed. No undergraduate classes scheduled. 

November 24 - 25 | University Recognition Days | Offices closed. Remote Instruction. 

November 26 | University Recognition Day | Offices Closed. No classes scheduled. 

November 27 - 28 | Thanksgiving Holiday | University closed. 

December 22 - January 2 | Winter Break | University closed. 

View Full Holiday Guidance & Schedule