“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
It’s hard to believe how fast September flew by and that we are already into the month of October. There’s no doubt the Fall Semester is in full swing!
As you know, I’ve spent these past two months learning about our Division of Student Affairs and the UT of today. I’ve heard about successes, challenges, great programs as well as some frustrations. I’ve met staff members, students, faculty, parents and alumni who care about this university. As a new member of this community, I have the opportunity — even the responsibility — to ask as many questions as I can so I can learn a lot quickly. Why do we do this? What was the reason for that decision? Can you tell me the history of this program? While there is more to learn, we have reached the point where we can start to move forward.
Our first task will be to review the strategic plan for our Division. Because the Division is different from when the plan was originally written, parts will need to change but much will continue as planned. We will start at the beginning with a review of our vision, mission and values. I’m sharing this initiative in our newsletter because I am asking everyone in our Division to be part of this work.
On Oct. 10, the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) will meet to start this important process. After that meeting, each member of SALT will be asked to continue the discussion with the rest of the staff in our Division. When SALT meets again in November, we will use the ideas and suggestions of everyone to take the next step together. We’ll do this back and forth process to review the entire strategic plan. In this way, while there will need to be a small group to do any writing, the entire Division will have a role in re-drafting our plan.
I ask everyone to engage in this important work. The work we do on our vision, mission and the strategic plan will help inform our decisions at every level. Each department has an important role in the work of our Division and the university. It is important that we think about our work on multiple levels at all times, not just from the view of our department. I look forward to working with each of you on all of these things difficult and easy, great and small.
Take care,
Gage