Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Welcome back to Colorado College for the 2013-2014 academic year! I hope that each of you enjoyed
a summer filled with relaxation, new experiences, family and friends.
You may have noticed a few changes to our campus as well as a few new faces.
Megan Nicklaus is our new Career Center Director. She comes from Vanderbilt University where
she worked as the associate director of the Center for Student Professional Development:
her experience will help us improve the career development resources as well as grow student
internship opportunities.
Brian Young is our new VP for Information Technology and Chief Technology Officer. Brian
served as the Chief Technology Officer for Creighton University in Nebraska. In 2009,
he was recognized by InfoWorld magazine as one of the top 25 chief information officers
in the country, and the only CTO from a higher education institution. He will guide us in
our work to enhance the use of technology at CC.
We are very excited about a variety of campus improvements that were completed over the
summer. The new track has been completed and the tennis court has been renovated. Also,
a new walkway leads to the Adam Press Fitness Center, and improvements have been made to
the landscaping of Cutler Quad and the walkway north of Palmer Quad.
If you've walked by Slocum Hall, you may have seen that it has undergone major renovations.
From a new open floor plan on the first floor and improvements in the outdoor space to greater
numbers of wireless access points and features that increase energy efficiency, these renovations
have created spaces that are more comfortable and useful for study and social time and reflect
our commitment to sustainability.
As most of you are aware, much of our work together last year revolved around the Year
of Planning. I can't tell you enough how impressed and appreciative I am for the consistent and
dedicated efforts of everyone across the CC community. In July, we presented a strategic
plan to the Board of Trustees, and it was enthusiastically approved. Based on what we
heard from all of you about the challenges and opportunities that face Colorado College,
we've developed five recommendations designed to help us build upon our core strengths as
an institution:
First, we will provide new forms of resources and support to realize the potential of our
pioneering block plan. Second, we will build a nationally recognized
summer program and an inventive half block program for a new generation of learners.
Third, we will create an Innovation Institute to provide resources, structure, and encouragement
to students and faculty as they investigate our world's challenges, understand the context
in which they exist, identify sustainable solutions, and put them into action. .
Fourth, we will enhance our distinctive place of learning—our campus—to support our
engaged, globally connected academic program and embody our regional and historical identity.
And fifth, we will focus on workplace excellence to foster an organization that is as innovative
and dynamic as the CC academic experience.
Please come to me with questions, thoughts, or concerns you may have. I will have regular
open office hours for students in Perkins Lounge near the Worner Desk. You are also
welcome to contact me via email or phone, or simply come by my office. Also, I receive
regular input from the Colorado College Student Government Association and the President's
Council. These student groups serve as your representatives; please reach out to them
so that your voices will be heard.
Once again, welcome back to campus. I'm excited to see what we will accomplish together this
year.