Dear Colleagues,
It’s hard to believe that October is already here and that fall break is just around the corner. While we were fortunate that last week’s weather spared our campus from severe impact, it’s important to acknowledge the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in our neighboring states and along the east coast. Given the recurring threat of hurricanes this season, we remain vigilant about potential storms currently advancing in the Gulf region.
Next week, we will officially release our Auburn University Strategic Plan 2035: Grounded & Groundbreaking. As presented at the last Senate meeting, this plan is a living document that represents the ambitions, ideas, and contributions of the Auburn Family. As we transition into implementation, we are identifying those immediate steps to realize our goals and action items, including developing aligned plans at the unit levels. As the colleges and academic units begin to create their own plans, we will continue to work with deans to provide the organization and support that are vital to our overall success.
While “Grounded & Groundbreaking” leverages our academic programs and transformative impact to prepare us for future challenges, it also identifies how our institution’s success is often shaped by our community’s engagement with our work. To improve how we share our achievements beyond campus, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development has partnered with the Associate Deans for Research and the Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) to launch a new Communications Fellows Program. With its inaugural group of 17 faculty members, this new program aims to equip faculty with skills and experience to effectively disseminate their research and knowledge externally and to foster professional growth, encourage collaborations and increase funding opportunities. For additional information or to engage with the program, please contact OCM.
In addition to better sharing our work with external audiences, we are also committed to offering on-campus venues for our faculty to exhibit their groundbreaking work, such as SHOWCASE 2025. Highlighting the creative scholarship of our faculty through a series of events, this year’s theme centers on advocacy and process. Beginning with an exhibition at the Jule Collins Smith Museum starting January 23, 2025, the showcase will be followed by a dynamic live performance at the Gogue Performing Arts Center on February 24, 2025. I encourage you to add these events to your calendar as we celebrate the remarkable work of our colleagues.
Our Strategic Plan also aims to expand opportunities to bridge knowledge and action by inviting renowned experts to campus and hosting conferences that address areas of growing research and prominence. For example, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering that recently hosted three pioneers of the mobile revolution earlier this week as part of the college’s speaker series. Supporting our efforts to foster a more robust culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, the panel featured Frank Canova, inventor of the first smartphone, Daniel A. Henderson, inventor of picture and video messaging, and Neil Papworth, who sent the first text message. Additionally, the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment will host an extensive Cross-Laminated Timber conference next week, with faculty experts and leading industry professionals from forestry, building science, engineering, and architecture. This collaborative event will advance multi-disciplinary work by sharing insights and knowledge on current research and emerging trends in sustainable mass timber construction.
As we measure the success of our graduates both professionally and within their communities, we know that impact is often a direct reflection of their campus experiences. Released last week, the Impact Report for our QEP, AUBURNACHIEVE, affirms our commitment to facilitating our students’ connection with post-graduation opportunities. Notably, 85% of our 2022-23 undergraduates reported successful career outcomes within six months of graduation, with 79% indicating they achieved their preferred choice. Graduate student outcomes are even more promising, with 90% reporting successful career outcomes. The report details AUBURNACHIEVE’s progress and specific goal advancements; I encourage you to take a few moments and view the full report.
Finally, I look forward to announcing this year’s Faculty Award recipients on October 15 and commemorating our endowed colleagues at our annual recognition ceremony later that week. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in nominating so many colleagues for faculty awards; I’m pleased to share that we received a record number of nominations.
As always, I am grateful for your dedication and efforts to enhance our campus and enrich the lives of our students.
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