Last week was a difficult one. The impact of our budget has shown up over the last year in ways that hit harder than our past belt-tightening has. On the heels of losing the SNAP-Ed program and employees last fall, we have had to eliminate positions held by friends, colleagues, and valued employees. None of the decisions were easy; lives were impacted. And while there are no doubt business disruptions as a result, my mind focuses on those who lost their positions. I hope new positions are found quickly. I even dare to hope that at some point in the future those directly impacted look back and reflect that it turned out for the best.
When the Northeast region deans met last week in Burlington, VT, we spent time talking about attributes of our different college structures, what we are excited about, working more effectively across the region to advocate for our work, and making time for ourselves during challenging times. The day prior, the broader group of participants that included associate deans of research and Extension spent the day together. We heard presentations that focused on the lack of trust in science and the perceived declining value of higher education. I invite you to read more from one of our speakers, Jay Akridge, who is former Dean of the College of Agriculture and then Provost at Purdue University. Addressing these perceptions is difficult and uncomfortable but is our reality, so we adjust. I remain convinced that we can get ahead if we proactively drive change as opposed to being left to respond to it.
There were bright spots last week, too. In addition to seeing Stephanie Lansing inducted as a Fellow into the American Society of Ecological Engineering, we learned during at the awards ceremony that David Tilley was the recipient of an Outstanding Reviewer Award! I am thrilled that ENST faculty received strong recognition at the event. Congratulations to David and Stephanie! All of our faculty seeking promotion this year have been notified and I am pleased to share that all tenure requests were approved. Communication was recently shared with AGNR celebrating the advancement success of our faculty and listing them by name. I am so proud of their achievements and impressed by their accomplishments! See the full listing.
June is moving quickly. I am heading north this week where daylight hours are a bit longer in hopes that it feels like time is slowing down. I will be sure to share with you any remarkable happenings we encounter when my posts resume on June 23.