Like many of you, I’ve read and watched with sadness, anger, and hopelessness about the senseless murder of George Floyd, of Ahmaud Arbery before that, and of countless others. As an African American woman, these acts of racial violence, shake my spirit and hit particularly close to home. Admittedly, during the last week or so, I’ve been preoccupied with the weight of these events, but I am inspired by what appears to be a revolution, in support of true social change.
While these are difficult times, I’m always encouraged by the resiliency and persistence of our students. I especially think about our students of color, who too often have survived on the margins and make their way to our doors seeking a better life. I, too, am always inspired by you and your consistent willingness to greet those students with open arms.
At Germanna, we will continue to affirm our values and work towards our comprehensive mission of access. The high-touch, personalized support we provide will be important now more than ever. We must ensure that our students feel heard, seen, safe, and valued. As colleagues, we must promote a culture of mutual respect. Our students deserve it.
As a College, we will embark on a transformational journey by creating an actionable plan for change at our institution. The plan will include the development of mandatory training, improved hiring and recruitment processes for employees, and a review of our curriculum, among other initiatives. I encourage and value your feedback as we embark on this important work.
These times seem particularly significant and pivotal. I’m glad we’re in this together.
