- The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it. 2. Serious thought or consideration.
The month of May has always had two meanings for me. One, a weariness associated with intense work over many months, and the other, an innate excitement that a frenetic pace will soon be punctuated by the celebration of Commencement and a summer recharge. Yet, I also find it a month of reflection, some on feelings that I would like to push away—a pandemic that continues to intercede, a country divided in worrisome ways, a war that teeters on the brink of something perhaps worse, a mother whose brain is slowly dying. Yet, I also am reflecting on others that warm the soul—job opportunity roaring back, California powered for a day with only renewable energy, Maya Angelou on a quarter, a daughter who lives nearby.
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As Provost, I have had my share of both kinds of feelings this year, but as I hope you have come to know me, I see things through a glass half full, not half empty. Here are just a few highlights that fill me up, and I hope you will take the time to reflect on your own:
- Reading Associate Dean Ian Marshall’s report on all of the good work being done in CAHSS around free and reduced-cost materials for students.
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Visit to the Wanaque Center of Passaic County Community College to enjoy their culinary program and network with the Art and Music Programs |
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- Having Arnold Lewis, professor of political science and vice chair of the board at Essex County College, do a shout-out for William Paterson at the inauguration of his president with me in the front row and Montclair’s president to my left and Kean’s to my right.
- Having breakfast with alumnus Rich Geraffo ‘85, a first-generation college student and now VP for Amazon Web Services, hearing his story, and later seeing him pledge an additional $50,000 to support WP students at the Legacy Gala.
- Taking a group on a hike to the summit of High Mountain, raising money for scholarships as part of it, and forgetting I had a hot mic afterwards, including during a visit to the restroom.
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Being a guest Supreme Court Justice in professor Wendy Wright’s Civil Liberties class and getting to probe student counsel on their arguments.
- Reading the tributes graduating students submitted at my invitation honoring faculty who have been instrumentally important to their WP journey (here’s just a taste):
- When I was about to drop out of college during my freshman year, he commented on my final paper that I was smart and should share my ideas in class. That meant the world to me and motivated me a lot. I took a screenshot of that comment and kept it on my desk as a reminder that I am smart.
- She was a monumental figure in my career path in choosing this major. She would engage us in learning and made it fun. She bought us pizza on many occasions and brought candy to class. She gave us insight on the world as she knew it. She is a treasure.
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Thank you to the Faculty Senate. This has been an intense year of activity for the Faculty Senate. Much work was accomplished, and likely for the Councils, it was one of the busiest in recent memory. I particularly appreciated the work to address the change needs for programs placed on probation and hiatus last spring and anticipate that all of them will be back to regular status this fall.
Academic Plan. On June 9, in anticipation of Board approval of a new Strategic Plan for the University (reports from each committee have just been submitted to the Steering Committee), a next step will be the development of an Academic Plan for the Academic Affairs Division during AY22-23. The framework and process for that build will be a topic engaged by the deans, chairs, and Faculty Senate leadership this summer.
Annual Reports. May and June are annual assessment season. Faculty are to update their work in Digital Measures, information that folds up into college annual reports. This work is an essential component to our accreditation by Middle States.
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Three new charts focused on student demand (applications), enrollment yield, job opportunity, and the landscape for program competition were presented by the Provost to the Faculty Senate on May 5 and all are invited to study them to inform academic planning work to come this fall (click here).
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Insights on Generation Z with implications for higher education: |
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“They knew me on campus as the guy who wore a suit on Wednesdays.”
—Rich Geraffo ’85, first-generation WP student, VP for Amazon Web Services, and honoree at the Legacy Gala, reflecting on the importance of his internship to career opportunity.
“I encourage you to live with life. Be courageous, adventurous. Give us a tomorrow, more than we deserve.”
—Maya Angelou, University of California, Riverside Commencement quote
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The Provost’s Office is Meg, Lissette, Claudia T., Claudia C., Jonathan, Kara, Sandy, and Josh. You can reach us at 973.720.2122 • provost@wpunj.edu
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