Dear UC Community,
For me, 2023 has been educational as well as inspiring — and for many reasons. It has been a year in which UC enjoyed thriving enrollment, high student success rates, a nationally acclaimed innovation agenda and all-time highs for both research and scholarship. We held important grand openings for Calhoun Hall, the new Bioscience Center, Clifton Court Hall and others. Each unveiling made us better by elevating our academic setting and enhancing our campus experience.
This year I’ve had the privilege to tour our university and engage with our community on a deeper level than perhaps any other time during my presidency. In February, we eclipsed the fifth anniversary of Next Lives Here, our strategic direction, and I set a goal to visit every college and major administrative unit to share our progress on key goals and reveal what’s next. I can tell you with confidence that we are accelerating the pursuit of our vision to be leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact.
Though I have a few more stops to go to complete my tour, I have already been wowed by our students, faculty and staff. Perhaps more important than what I’ve shared has been what I’ve learned — where we are succeeding as well as where we have more work to do. These conversations inform my thinking and remind me of the value of leading by listening.
As we wrap up 2023, I’m hopeful for our future, and I’m humbled by our progress. I’m inspired by your commitment to discovery and innovation and lifted by your deep belief in public higher education.
This year of visits has reminded me that I don’t thank you enough for all you do to make our university incredible. I genuinely appreciate our students and their passion for learning. And I’ve never been more proud or more thankful for our dedicated faculty and staff, who care deeply about the success of the next generation.
While we celebrate our successes, we also acknowledge the challenges we have faced as a campus and a larger community. May we be bound as Bearcats and stand together ready to take on 2024 with even more excitement, kindness, unity and resolve.
I wish you all happy holidays.
