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Dear Colleagues,

We are writing together to share a message of appreciation that celebrates our past academic year, while also opening a new pathway to the future.  With a combined 46 years of experience at ��������, we each are beginning new leadership roles.  One of us was recently named Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the other was recently elected Chair of Faculty Senate.  Both of us are fully committed to the future of our institution.

�������� is at a critical juncture.  Demographic, political, economic, and financial headwinds have caused many higher education institutions to retreat, cut resources, or limit their offerings.  With these external influences at the forefront, we can wait and see what the impact of these forces will be, or we can strategically change how we operate in order to future proof, rather than limit, ��������.  

Instead of letting others define our future, President Hemphill unveiled the Forward-Focused Digital Transformation Initiative earlier this semester.  Integrating artificial intelligence applications across campus, upgrading 180 classrooms, developing technological enhancements to enhance student support, moving the bulk of our online programs to 8-week asynchronous offerings, and scaling our research infrastructure will require significant collaboration between faculty, administrators, staff, and university leaders.

We can provide three examples that show our commitment to collaboration. 

First, on the heels of the creation of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ��������, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee agreed to continue their work over the summer months by reviewing numerous policies as part of the integration process.  As a result of their efforts, the review of several policies that would have otherwise been delayed, has been completed.  These policies were forwarded to the Deans Leadership Council for their feedback.  The commitment of our faculty leaders to continuing this work throughout the summer is a clear example of the kind of collaboration needed at this time.  

Second, the two of us have been meeting regularly to discuss how to improve policy review processes and enhance communication in the Division of Academic Affairs.  Complex practices, policies, and procedures have a way of stalling reviews and creating confusion.   Both of us are committed to reducing unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and embracing open dialogue, shared governance, and continuous improvement.  

Third, we are in the early stages of planning the inaugural Academic Affairs Summit that will bring together academic affairs administrators, faculty senators, and other faculty, staff, and academic leaders in the Spring to discuss our future.  Our Academic Affairs Leadership Council, which includes leaders of faculty resource groups and the deans, has begun discussions about the summit.  The two of us will lead a small group that will plan the details.  Though the specifics of the summit are still being discussed, our aim is to bring together faculty and academic leaders to communicate about strategies and opportunities for improving teaching, learning, and research at ��������.

When reviewing our separate applications for our new positions, one can’t help but notice a shared vision regarding collaboration. One of us wrote on her ballot nomination form that she “would like to see us move to a more collaborative, efficient, and transparent working environment” and that she “see[s] collaboration as one of the primary roles of the Faculty Senate Chair.”  The other wrote in his cover letter that he believes the following: “We must create an environment that helps students, faculty, and staff excel in all they do.  Relying on an individualized approach to excellence in a world that requires teamwork, collaboration, and shared responsibility would limit us as an institution.”

Please know that we are truly committee to working together as we prepare for the future.  In fact, just last week we had the opportunity to convene an incredibly productive meeting with President Hemphill and the executive committee to answer questions about the Forward-Focused Digital Transformation Initiative that the committee had received from faculty.Those questions and answers will be added to the growing list of frequently asked questions available .

We look forward to collaborating with you as we engage in our new leadership roles at our forward-focused institution.

Regards, 

Brian K. Payne, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice

and

Corrin (Gillis) Allen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Chair, Faculty Senate
Associate Professor
School of Speech-Language Pathology
Ellmer College of Health Sciences
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ��������