Dear TC Community Members,
Welcome, All
Last week, hundreds of new TC students joined our orientation programming across several days, exploring the maze of our inter-connected buildings and meeting our amazing staff and faculty. As is our tradition, New Student Orientation was not only a source of vital information; it also brought together our community for department lunches and a program of games, trivia and sweets. Apparently, more than a few in attendance were surprised by my knowledge of movies set on college campuses.* Over the week, I saw friendships taking shape, professors taking time to share their scholarship, staff going out of their way to provide answers and everyone taking in the moment of this new era in their lives, full of possibility.
That feeling was enhanced this week when classes began, and the full complement of new and returning students and faculty members joined us on campus to move forward with their life’s work: advancing the public good through research, scholarship and practice around the fields of education, health and psychology.
In addition to our students, I want to especially welcome our new faculty members and two new members of my cabinet: Dr. Tim Lee, who joined us on June 1 as our Vice President for Enrollment Management, and Dr. Laura Smith, Professor of Psychology and Education in the Counseling Psychology Program, who began her service as Interim Provost, Dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs on July 1.
Even those of us who have been working and teaching on the TC campus for many years still feel the sense of possibility that is embedded in the beginning of a new school year. I like to take advantage of that momentum to think about what I want to accomplish over the year ahead, which is always about strengthening Teachers College for all, including those who will come after us. I have been working with my cabinet over the summer on how we will advance our Strategic Priorities and I look forward to sharing those with you over the weeks ahead, and to collaborating with faculty and other community members to advance the interests of the College.
Learning, Doing, and Having Time for Joy
TC classes and community events provide unique and important opportunities for conversations and interaction with each other. I hope you will play an active part in the life of our campus. This is what helps us to learn, consider new opinions and really grow, no matter our stage in life. I heard many faculty members speak over the last week about the joy they felt in their work and in our community. I encourage all of us to maintain that joy, even as we face inevitable challenges along the way. Indeed, I want to recognize the barriers many have faced, and will continue to face, as they join our campus. Whether limitations to loan options or difficulties obtaining visas for our students, to challenges in securing funding for critical faculty research, to continued economic difficulties that affect us all, I want to assure you that we are working at TC to ensure we continue the level of excellence that has brought all of us together.
Staying in Touch
Last year, I began the practice of communicating with our students, faculty and staff with regular bi-weekly email updates over the course of the year. I will continue that this year, focused on how we are moving forward with our strategic priorities, sharing things I learn along the way and recognizing excellence on our campus.
In the meantime, my best wishes to all for a successful semester, and thank you for joining us in our common goal of building a smarter, healthier, more just and equitable world.
Warm regards,
Thomas Bailey
President
*I trust everyone will see Pitch Perfect and Legally Blonde by the time they graduate.