Dear JMC students, faculty and staff,
Thank you to all who attended the forum Monday evening. I think what transpired is an important step in our efforts to strengthen the community and work toward improving college culture in all its forms.
I hear those of you who have communicated a need for more programming. I know we can do better in this area, and I am confident that the conversations and exchanges that have transpired as of late will help push us to reignite programs that may have fallen to the wayside since the pandemic and changes in leadership.
I also recognize there is a need for new programming. I am committed to engaging in conversations with student leaders to further explore how we advance some of those ideas when students return to campus this fall.
For the summer, I will be assembling a committee of staff and faculty who are interested in engaging in discussions about programs that may be implemented as early as the fall.
Gaining the community’s trust is a priority of mine. I plan to be more proactively engaged with student groups and welcome regular meetings with them. I will hold regular office hours for JMC faculty, students and staff to drop in. I also recognize the importance of communicating the progress being made as we work toward achieving the goals outlined in our Strategic Plans. I will be working with the different college committees to ensure this happens.
Please continue to check your email in the coming weeks as the college will be soliciting your input about the next forum as well as seeking a recommendation from the Forum Planning Committee about next steps.
Again, thank you to Dr. Rashida Harrison for facilitating planning for Monday’s forum, along with many students, staff and faculty members. Thank you to Dr. Amber Benton for helping us come together to work toward a common goal.
To all of you working hard these next several days, I wish you the best. I know I am looking forward to the Research Showcase this Friday and celebrating the class of 2024 on April 27th during JMC Commencement.
Cameron G. Thies
Dean and MSU Foundation Professor