Recharge, reflect and look forward
by Cathy Sandeen, UAA Chancellor and Bruce Schultz, UAA Interim Chancellor-designate |
Dear UAA Community,
As this unprecedented year comes to a close, we want to pause and thank you — all UAA faculty, staff and students — for your hard work, resilience and achievements as we collectively navigated another semester of College During COVID.
As we prepare to begin the winter break and the university’s closure from Dec. 24–Jan. 1, please take the opportunity to rest, recharge and reflect. This year has taken a toll, and it’s important to engage in self-care. We encourage employees to consider taking additional leave days to provide a much-needed mental break from work. We also want to remind employees and students that UAA’s is available to help you safely connect with friends and family and maintain important relationships this holiday season.
We also want to share a brief update on the UAA 2025 strategic plan. After nearly a year of work, we are pleased to let you know the UAA 2025 plan is complete and will be shared and celebrated broadly with our communities in January 2021. At this time, the plan has been shared with Cabinet, deans and community campus directors to begin aligning college and unit plans with UAA 2025. You are welcome to peruse the plan.
We thank the tri-chairs, LuAnn Piccard, Christi Bell and Joel Potter, for their incredible work and the inclusive process they led, which is highlighted by input received from more than 700 individuals internal and external to the university. Please note that UAA’s revised mission statement will be brought before the Board of Regents for approval in February.
We look forward to the university community’s participation in the ongoing fulfillment of UAA 2025, knowing it also plays a critical role in our institutional accreditation through NWCCU.
As we look ahead to the new year, we are buoyed by the hope that the COVID-19 vaccine brings and the resilience of our entire Seawolf community as we continue to navigate these ever-changing times.
Wishing each of you a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Cathy Sandeen
UAA Chancellor; and
Bruce Schultz
UAA Interim Chancellor-designate