Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the end of the academic year, I write to share an update on the Provost’s Office. Having consulted with incoming provost Elliott Visconsi, I am pleased to announce that our current team of experienced Deans will remain in place to support the transition in the year ahead.
Having served in 2022-2023 as Interim Provost, next year Ann Marie Leshkowich will complete the final year of her term as Dean of Faculty before embarking on a sabbatical in 2024-2025. In addition to supporting the planning for the NECHE site visit in October, Ann Marie will co-chair the Recommendation Implementation Committee responding to the Cozen O’Connor report into historical incidents of faculty sexual misconduct.
Dean of Experiential Learning and Student Success Loren Cass has likewise agreed to extend his term of service by an additional year before sabbatical in 2024-2025. Madeline Vargas will continue as Dean of Faculty, a role in which she works to support the College’s academic commitments to inclusive excellence and faculty development. Lorelle Semley stepped in to serve as Interim Dean of the Faculty this year, and I am grateful for her leadership in faculty hiring, faculty development, interdisciplinarity, and inclusive excellence.
Each one of these valued colleagues is committed deeply to the College’s success, and has provided generous, effective leadership over many long hours in the past years. Elliott and I are grateful for their distinguished service to the College; please join me in thanking them.
Also of note in Fall 2023 will be a focused visit by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). In its 2021 letter affirming our continued accreditation, the Commission requested from us a report focused on the College’s efforts to ensure that “its governance structures, decision-making processes, policies, and communications are effective and inclusive” and that “the new president and Board of Trustees are engaged in addressing [the College’s] governance issues.” After we submit this report, 2–3 external reviewers will come to campus (October 29–31, 2023) to engage in conversations about the steps we have taken and plan to take. Please make a note of these dates. Accreditation visits are valuable opportunities for institutional self-reflection and peer evaluation, and we look forward to receiving internal and external feedback on these ongoing efforts. More detailed information about the preparations and process for the focused visit will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you at the various exciting events and programs on campus this month and next.
With sincere appreciation,
Vincent D. Rougeau
President