Congratulations!  You have made it more than halfway through the semester!   In a fall that has included a pandemic, remote learning, wildfires, air quality-related campus shutdowns, economic challenges, and intense political animosity, making it this far is an accomplishment.  Your efforts and your success need to be recognized and celebrated.

I want to reach out today with three messages –

1. We are here for you! In know that many of you are in the midst of mid-term exams and papers.  In our virtual learning space, it can sometimes feel like you are isolated and alone.  Please know that you have faculty, staff, and colleagues throughout this college who care deeply about your success and are here to provide support.  Please reach out if you have questions or concerns.  Your professors, the advisors in our student success center, the staff and chair in your department, and our team in the dean’s office want to hear from you.
2. We want you to share your experiences! We want to know what is working for you.  Understanding your experiences helps us to grow and strengthen our work as a college.  Share your ideas, successes, and appreciations using virtual sticky notes on our college Jamboard.  Read the posts of others to get ideas for finding balance, managing stress, and accessing resources.
3. Vote! Election day is coming up on November 3.  Monday, October 19 is the last day to register.  If you are eligible to vote, please, please register and vote this year.  In addition to the presidential election, there are congressional, state, and local elected positions on the ballot as well as multiple ballot propositions that can have a direct impact on your life.  For more information on how to register and where to vote, please visit vote.org.   Your voice matters and voting is critical to determining our future.

I’ll close with gratitude.  I am so grateful to be a part of the Lurie College family.  The dedication and generosity of our students provides daily inspiration and hope.  Thank you for choosing to be part of our community and for all of the care, creativity, and commitment that you bring to each of your assignments and interactions.

Take good care and stay safe!