Dear Colleagues,
As we enter a new academic year, with nearly 2,500 new students and 220 new faculty members joining the ’Canes family, I am inspired by the high level of excitement and activity on campus. I visited several undergraduate classrooms last week, and the energy of our students was palpable.
I am always moved by the many ways each of you shapes and contributes to our collective success. By partnering with my leadership team and faculty across the University, we have made major progress on our strategic initiatives, showcased the University’s eminence, and engaged faculty and students to hear directly about their experiences and vision for the future of the U. As we look ahead, I would like to highlight a few significant accomplishments:
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In recent months, Paul Pavlou and Hudson Santos began their terms as deans of the Miami Herbert Business School and School of Nursing and Health Studies, respectively. These positions are essential to supporting your work as faculty, fulfilling our strategic mission, and reaching our institutional goals. Also of note, Rebecca MacMillan Fox recently retired after 18 years of dedicated leadership, including 14 years as dean of the Division of Continuing and International Education. And earlier this week, it was announced that Roni Avissar is stepping down as dean of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and returning to the faculty after an accomplished 15-year tenure.
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As previously announced, we have launched a Center for Academic Navigation and Success.
This new comprehensive support structure integrates undergraduate advising, transitional advising, and ’Cane Success Center initiatives to influence undergraduate student retention, persistence, and graduation. The center will collaborate with our schools and colleges to highlight the crucial role faculty play in guiding students’ fields of study, research opportunities, and career pathways.
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The Cane Commitment program, which also launched this semester, showcases the capabilities, skills, and experiences that undergraduate students acquire in and outside of the classroom. It ensures every graduate is prepared to succeed in the dynamic workplace and diverse society of today and tomorrow.
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The ’Canes Course Pack program provides students with all required class materials for one low, flat fee and ensures every student can access their materials on or before the first day of class. Undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in the ’Canes Course Pack when they register for their courses. To check the specifics for your course or for assistance with accessing your materials, contact the Campus Store at
textbooks.bookstore@miami.edu. Students can opt out at miami.edu/canescoursepack no later than Sept. 4, 2024.
As interim provost, I will continue to engage, listen, and collaborate; these touchpoints have been foundational to my administrative and academic approach. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I look forward to what this year will bring.
I hope to see you at the meet and greet event with Maria Alcaide, interim vice provost for research and scholarship, a Faculty Senate meeting, or an event during
Alumni Weekend and Homecoming. In the meantime, I invite you to reach out to me using
this form if you have a suggestion, comment, or question.
Best wishes for a fulfilling and rewarding fall semester. |
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