Dear Terrapin Community,
Welcome to the fall 2024 semester! As we reflect on the previous year and look ahead, it’s hard to imagine a more important time than now—in a year where community and civic engagement should be at the forefront of our minds—for us to truly embrace the vision we’ve set forth to dedicate ourselves to the public good.
Yesterday, you heard from President Pines about the importance of Terps working together. When I think of togetherness, I envision not only what that means for our campus, but what it means for our communities near and far.
A focus on community engagement
This is just one reason why I’m thrilled that our new Center for Community Engagement will launch this semester with the arrival of our first-ever Associate Provost for Community Engagement, Dr. Tania Mitchell. She brings with her decades of experience and scholarship on the role of community engagement in higher education. She will build upon the expertise of community members campuswide, and help foster connections to integrate community engagement into every part of our university—from teaching and learning to research and service. We are also pleased to welcome the Office of Community Engagement and its two decades of experience to Academic Affairs.
Serving the public good
To our faculty and staff: I’m tremendously proud of the impactful work already underway by colleagues in schools, colleges and units across campus to address humanity’s grand challenges—through engaging and experiential educational programs, groundbreaking scientific discoveries and creative pursuits, and innovative scholarship in the humanities, social sciences and professional fields. This year, as we work to address a particularly timely grand challenge—our democracy—it’s inspiring to see the breadth of work to engage and educate new voters, strengthen the foundations of civic health, integrate civic engagement experiences into courses, and give students the resources they need to enact meaningful change.
To our students: I hope you take advantage of all our university has to offer to support you as you lay the foundation for your own future, and for the future of our democracy, our nation and world. We urge you to be fearless in your pursuit of the betterment of humankind, regardless of your field of study. There is no better time to get involved.
Moving fearlessly forward together
When I think about the future of our university and what we have to offer, I remember the words of our strategic plan: Together, we will dedicate ourselves to advancing the public good because our individual well-being is enduringly bound to our collective well-being. The impact we’ve made by living true to this vision has been significant, and I know this academic year will be filled with new accomplishments that we achieve together.
Sincerely,
Jennifer King Rice
Senior Vice President and Provost
She/Her/Hers