President Message for September 2, 2026 - Building Our Community Together

Happy September and thank you for a great start to the academic year.

At our fall Development Days, we talked about building community purposely, each and every day, by how we interact, show up for, and support each other and our students.

As we begin a new academic year, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on the kind of community we want to be and the role each of us plays in creating it. While strategic plans, policies, and organizational structures help guide our work, the true culture of our college is built through the actions of the people who make up our community every day. Culture is reflected in how we collaborate with colleagues, support students, communicate with one another, and approach the challenges and opportunities before us. Simply put, the community will be what the community members make it.

Each of us contributes to the experience of working and learning here, regardless of our role or department. Every interaction, every conversation, and every act of service helps shape the environment we collectively create. When we choose to be welcoming, engaged, supportive, and solution-focused, we strengthen our community and reinforce our shared commitment to student success. The culture we want does not happen by chance; it happens because individuals across the college make intentional choices that reflect our values and mission.

As we launch this academic year together, I encourage each of us to think about how we can contribute to the kind of community we want to build. Whether it is participating in college events, staying informed through our communication channels, sharing ideas for improvement, or simply extending a warm welcome to students and colleagues, every contribution matters. The year ahead will bring both opportunities and challenges, but I am confident that we have the talent, dedication, and commitment needed to move forward successfully. Most importantly, we have the right people to do this work, and together we will continue building a community that supports one another and helps our students thrive.