Dear TC Community Members,

I end this week feeling much appreciation for the many conversations I had with students, staff and faculty over the past several days, learning about your scholarship, initiatives and plans for the future. Some of those conversations took place at retirement parties for three long-term colleagues leaving TC, capping off their significant contributions to the College: Nancy D’Ambrosio, Director of Philanthropic Giving in Institutional Advancement, after a 16-year TC career; Doug Slater, Communications Director for the Community College Research Center, after 20 years on that team; and Tom James, Professor Emeritus of History and Education, who first joined TC as Provost 19 years ago and became a member of the faculty in 2019.

All retirements are opportunities to reflect on the many levels of impact one has throughout their career, and it was joyful to hear tributes of the staff, students and faculty who worked with each of these individuals. The celebrations were a reminder that impact is not only what is published, discovered or raised; it is also how we make others feel as we go about our days. Indeed, the retirement celebrations were a nice bookend to my first Student Chat of the year, where I met with those who are brand new to TC and just starting on their journeys, but nevertheless already having an impact. I heard both trepidation and excitement for what lies ahead. I appreciated the opportunity to answer questions about my own research on community colleges, even questions about how I met my wife, Carmenza. Connecting on a personal level is what makes our campus a community.

I also enjoyed taking part in the launch celebration of Professor of Social-Organizational Psychology Patricia Hewlin’s new book, Staying True to You, about how to thrive as our true selves.  

These celebrations, hallway chats and many meetings contributed to the optimism I feel about what our many community members will contribute to the world. In that spirit, I share this video taken over the last few weeks as we launched the new academic year.

One thing is clear: staying true to who we are and what we are here to do is vital to how we make a difference in the lives of others. I look forward to seeing all of your stories develop over the coming months.

With best wishes for the weekend,

Thomas Bailey
President 
Teachers College, Columbia University