Our team in the College of Education and Human Services has been hard at work this summer preparing for our return to campus this fall. With students moving into dormitories this week and classes beginning on Monday, we are ready to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus. Like many of you, the back-to-school ritual will look very different this time around. The semester will include virtual lab hours, hybrid classes, remote learning and limited in-person resources for our students.

I have never been more proud of our team. Since March, I’ve watched our faculty reach out to their students, check in with them, have conversations, not just about school and classes, but about their well-being. I’ve seen their passion first-hand. Their commitment to student success is unwavering, and we continue to do everything in our power to support students regardless of the unique challenges we and our students are facing.

Even after all the planning and preparations have been made, the new school year will inevitably present new challenges. In such a time of uncertainty, I like to focus on the positive. Not only have we restructured our courses and adjusted our ways of teaching, we’ve added new faculty and staff to our team, implemented new programs and initiatives, and celebrated alumni and student success, all from behind our computer screens.  We will continue to improve and grow our high-impact programs, and in turn play a larger role as a difference maker in the community. I hope you will take a moment to read about what we’ve been up to over the summer.

Stay well, and good luck to everyone as we take on the new school year together.

Diane Yendol-Hoppey