Dear Division of Student Life Staff,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to let you know I will be resigning my position as Vice President for Student Life, effective October 18. After 24 years at the University of Oregon and beginning my tenth year as your vice president, it is time for me to take on a new adventure.
I am very grateful to have served you and our students. From the time I arrived in 1992 as a brand new psychologist working in the University Counseling and Testing Center, I have had the opportunity to work with great colleagues and together we have accomplished so much. From creating our first divisional strategic plan to the multitude of capital construction projects we built in order to enhance the student experience, together we have made the University of Oregon a more vibrant, student-friendly place.
We have created a safer campus and developed original programming and curriculum that not only alerts students to our top-of-the-line services but has also provided students the skills they need to learn how to keep themselves safe in any situation. We have mentored and supported students in ways that allow them to discover themselves and their passions while always being there to help challenge and pick them up when they needed it.
We have created a more inclusive and inviting community for all of our students and staff—although we know there is still work to be done. With intentional programming geared at all of our students from various walks of life, the UO is becoming a place where students can find support and acceptance—allowing them to become their best selves. Our Division has worked hard to be an inclusive community, too. Our focus on multicultural organizational development and the outstanding programs and workshops that you have put on and attended in order to make our Division a more multiculturally inclusive community is top-notch. I know you will keep up this important work, not only for our students but for our work family as well.
We have worked very hard to give students an advantage when they graduate. With new tools such as UO Advantage, various career services classes and workshops, as well as all of the amazing learning experiences students encounter every day in our various departments (leadership development, professional skills enhancement, self-care, civic engagement and service learning, multicultural competence, community building, how to work effectively in groups, etc.), we can feel excited about continuing to fulfill our first strategic plan objective: creating an exceptional student experience for all students. Keep up the good work.
To see our successes, one just has to look around the campus, or talk to students and their families. They are ecstatic about the student experience at the UO, and you should all be proud to be a part of creating that experience. We have created amazing programs and learning opportunities. We keep our students healthy, safe, and appropriately challenged so that they can be the best people they can be. Along the way, we have fun, build lifelong friendships and connections, and are a part of a great university. All of that is what makes it so hard for me to leave! I am confident, however, the exceptional work and focus that all of you bring will continue and even exceed anything I could envision.
My last day in the office will be October 18. If you get a chance, please stop by or catch me when I am out and about to say goodbye—that would mean a lot to me. I will be starting a new position as Vice President for Student Affairs for the University of California System, in the Office of the President. It definitely will be different and I am looking forward to the change and new challenges. Wherever I am, however, I will always be a Duck and you will always be an important part of what made my time here at the UO so special.
Thank you all,
Robin Holmes
Vice President for Student Life
