I hope you have returned to campus energized and ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. I know that I’m feeling inspired by the thought of our A&S campus community—more than 6,000 strong—working alongside each other again to further our shared mission to address grand challenges that include climate change, human health and wellbeing, social justice and more. Whether you are teaching, studying, serving in an office or on a committee, your efforts contribute to our collective impact for good, on people and planet. 

As we move into the semester, I'd like to draw your attention to several major developments that will also help support our mission: 

• This month saw professor of physics Jenny Ross join my cabinet as Associate Dean for Creativity, Scholarship and Research. She follows Professor of Psychology Emeritus Stephen Maisto, who is returning to his busy research program. You can read the announcement here. This vitally important role centers on raising the A&S research profile and increasing opportunities and funding to support faculty and student research. You can see why I am grateful to both for their service and vision!  
• At the beginning of July, A&S will welcome Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) —a newly consolidated department that merges Marriage and Family Therapy and Human Development and Family Science (formerly housed within Falk College). Given theCollege’s cross-disciplinary interest in, and commitment to, health and well-being, social justice and human thriving, I’m confident that A&S will prove a strong and natural fit for HDFS and A&S students alike. 
• Fall of 2025 will see the launch of our new liberal arts core curriculum, ensuring that the Arts and Sciences educational experience remains ever relevant, adaptable and valuable. I extend my deepest gratitude to the committee members, and to everyone involved in shaping this new curriculum. Your extraordinary dedication and tireless efforts crafted a vision that honors the traditions of the liberal arts while looking boldly to the future. 

So, as we step into 2025 together, let us do so with confidence, curiosity and collaboration. This is a time to challenge ourselves, support one another, and find individual and collective ways to contribute to the greater good. 

Here's to a productive semester ahead!