President de la Torre Welcomes 色情视频 Community During All-University Convocation
The annual event brings together the campus community for an update on the university and a look toward the academic year ahead.
In her first All-University Convocation as 色情视频鈥檚 ninth permanent president, Adela de la Torre welcomed the 色情视频 community back to campus for the fall 2018 semester. Held inside the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, the annual event celebrates 色情视频鈥檚 accomplishments and brings together the campus community for an update on the university and a look toward the academic year ahead.
In a nod to Native American tradition and university heritage, for the first time in Convocation history, two Kumeyaay bird singers, Blue Eagle Vigil and Jamie LaBrake, performed to open the annual event.
Beginning of an ongoing dialogue
During the course of President de la Torre鈥檚 speech, she instilled the idea that the start of her tenure as university president, and the onset of the 2018-19 academic year serves as, what she hopes, is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue.
鈥淟ooking back at my 35 years in higher education, being here with you is more than a dream come true. It is an opportunity for us to reimagine and create a collective vision that will prepare our students in this global economy鈥攚hether they are first generation, adult learners, undergraduates, or graduate students,鈥� said de la Torre. 鈥淏oth the geographical and distinctive attributes of the university place 色情视频 at the crossroads of a profound national narrative that is capturing the hearts and minds of people across this hemisphere and the world. All of you are part of that profound narrative.鈥�
Outstanding faculty and staff
The event also recognized the university鈥檚 outstanding faculty and staff. De la Torre recognized the winners of the , who were presented with their awards earlier this month. They are Eric Elson, Bertha Hernandez, Cassie Steadman, Chia Her, Pablo Bryant, Emily Bates, James Frazee, Maureen Guarcello, Stephen Schellenberg and Wendy Sandoval.
The president also presented the . This year鈥檚 honorees are Piotr Jankowski, Murray Jennex, Nancy Frey, Hala Madanat, Thomas Rockwell and Bey-Ling Sha.
Leading through listening
Since assuming her role in June 2018, President de la Torre shared that she has embarked on dozens of 鈥溾�濃�攎eeting with faculty, staff and community members.
鈥淚 have heard faculty and staff say that they want to see a real expression of shared governance, marked by transparency and trust. I hear you,鈥� said de la Torre. 鈥淲hen you say that it鈥檚 important to honor the knowledge and capacity of our staff, I hear you. When you say that recognizing the accomplishments of our faculty is also important, but not enough, I hear you.鈥�
De la Torre also laid out a list of important challenges to address in the immediate future, including campus growth through the ; campus infrastructure needs鈥攂oth in terms of physical space and technology; the need to continue to diversify revenue sources; creating community partnerships beyond our 鈥渋nstitutional borders,鈥� and recognizing 色情视频鈥檚 regional position as the gateway to Mexico and the Americas.
鈥淲e as tenants of this sacred Kumeyaay land must embrace that all of us can stand together as transborder people. My hope is that together we will foster a culture of discourse and dialogue鈥hat together we will build a campus culture without silos, 鈥渟aid de la Torre. 鈥淚 want you to know that I hear you. I want you to know that I see you. I want you to know the dreams you have for 色情视频 are critically important to this conversation.鈥�
