Reflections on a Remote Year, Hope for a New Season

Colleagues,

We mark our days by milestones, and as I am sure you are well aware, this message marks the one-year point since we collectively pivoted to virtual work and learning while a core team has held down the fort on-campus. As I reflect on what this means to our community, I want to acknowledge the mixed emotions many of us may be feeling.

Feelings of pride, in learning new technologies, keeping critical on-campus operations running and tackling new challenges head on;

Feelings of weariness in the waning days of winter, fatigue from feeling always “on” whether your role shifted virtually or your responsibilities remained on-campus, and enervation from your personal and professional worlds colliding;

Feelings of rest in the absence of long commutes and unexpected time at home;

Feelings of anticipation for what our future of work looks like;

and so much more.

But perhaps the most important emotion I feel and wish for us all is hope. Hope for the change a new season will bring. Hope for spring as a time of renewal and growth. And promise for better days ahead. There’s some great content packed into the updates below, from progress on our strategic plan, to ways we continue to support our students, to details about our next unplugged day. I encourage you to read on and trust you’ll see just why I am so filled with hope.

Sharon L. Walker, PhD

Dean, College of Engineering

Progress on our Strategic Plan

The implementation of our strategic plan is going strong, and our success is largely dependent on the important work of individuals and groups at all levels of the college. I am pleased to share a comprehensive list of college committees as well as college representation on University committees. Charged with new and/or renewed purpose, the college committees are key to facilitating action steps toward our goals, and will not only meet regularly but determine metrics for success and guide the assessment of our work.

This month, I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. The group has met regularly since last year, coordinated support for virtual student events and sponsored a series of events to support the ongoing dialogue and learning of our community around critical issues. As a reminder, later this week we’ll hold the next faculty and staff workshops in partnership with the Office of Equality and Diversity. If you haven’t already, remember to sign up! I remain hopeful the efforts of all of these committees will continue to bring about positive change in our community.

Supporting Our Students

As you know, we’re coming up on a change of the guard with student co-op. I appreciate everyone's efforts to help place our students and accommodate their needs during this challenging year. Let's wish the next student group well as they leave begin their new experience and give a virtual warm welcome back to our returning students. While we've all grown more accustomed to online learning and teaching, remember too, those returning from co-op may not be quite as experienced. Let's continue our compassion and flexibility with our students as they reengage in virtual and hybrid learning.

Later in spring, we’ll also hold our annual celebration of senior design. Additional details regarding timing and format will be forthcoming, but I am hopeful we will offer a robust virtual, live-streamed event for this important milestone for our students.

Next Unplugged Day

Did you know the National Day of Unplugging is observed in March? I’d like to think we were ahead of the curve in acknowledging the benefits of this important day, and am pleased to announce the next CoE Unplugged Day will be held Wednesday, March 24. We’ll be going Zoom-, email- and conference-call free as your role permits. I encourage you to take this time unplugged to refocus your work, address some projects you may have put on hold, and re-energize in preparation for another term. Remember, too, the new and continuing resources President Fry recently announced that remain available to you through the University. I am hopeful this combination of benefits will help you achieve work life balance.