Dear Members of the TC Community,

I am ending this week with much gratitude for the students, faculty and staff with whom I’ve spent time over these first few weeks in April: those who attended the annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) meeting in Los Angeles; the eight outstanding student nominees we met with as we selected our convocation speakers; and the staff who joined me in various meetings ranging from event planning to student affairs. This was in addition to the many admitted students I met online and in person. Throughout, I felt much connection to the College, to our collective work, and to each other.

AERA

It was wonderful to be among education researchers, academics, and representatives of higher education institutions at the meeting last week. I found this year’s meeting to be robust in terms of content and enthusiasm, and the conference as a whole was an affirmation of the value and necessity of research and its impact on our lives and scholarship. TC was well represented, from students to faculty and alumni in sessions and awards, which you can read about here. All of it speaks to the timeless vitality of our mission and our leadership in the field. 

I held a number of meetings and one-on-one conversations with higher education leaders, TC and other university faculty members, and sat in on a good number of sessions where TC’s depth and reach were on display. I also attended a meeting of the Association of American Universities (AAU) education school deans, where we shared strategies for supporting our students in light of the many challenges they face in obtaining their degrees, including their ability to secure loans and funding.

Finally, we celebrated our awardees, presenters, and attendees at a rousing TC reception, which engaged those well beyond the TC community. We showed ourselves off well.

Modeling Cooperation

Yesterday at a faculty meeting, we were presented with an update on how we are addressing some systemic challenges affecting our faculty, staff and students about financial aid and registration processes. I share this not to highlight the challenge, but rather the solution: a cross-functional team comprising staff, faculty, and administration have been working together under the leadership of Vice President for Administration Lisa Seales over the last few months. They have engaged with the broader community, including students, to identify issues and develop solutions to enhance the student and faculty experience, while driving sustainable long-term operational efficiencies.

It is a reminder that the strength of TC lies well beyond scholarly focus and resides in all members of our community bringing their unique abilities together: project managers, data analysts, those who use technology not only to process, but to question assumptions, find solutions, and address things holistically and systematically. I appointed this task force in December, and I was impressed with the collective wisdom, collegial engagement and progress. I am eager to use this model to address more systems improvement.

Moving into the weekend

We got a small taste of summer temperatures these last few days in New York. As things ramp up for the academic year-end, from exams to dissertation defenses to grading, wrapping up this fiscal year and planning for the next, I wish you all a restful weekend. For those joining Crystal Wilson, my Administrative Director, on the first of two TC Community Hikes this Saturday, I wish you slightly cooler weather and much fortitude. She runs a tight ship and, I imagine, a good hike!

With best wishes,

Thomas Bailey
President 
Teachers College, Columbia University