From the Dean: Welcome to the 2018-19 school year

Dear Members of the College of Education Community,

Welcome to the 2018-19 academic year—a year I hope will be the best one yet for you individually and for the College!

For me, having the best year yet as a college means that we collectively build a sense of community in the College of Education by engaging with one another in collaborative problem solving that leverages one another’s strengths to do our best work. It means we talk and we listen, and we show up for one another.

What would it mean for you to have your “best” year yet? Whether it’s infusing a new piece of technology into your work, implementing a more efficient or effective system, cross-training, mentoring a colleague, taking on a leadership role, mastering OneSource, making your teaching more engaging, launching a new study, squeezing one more article out of an existing data set, connecting with a new population in the community for service work, or finding better work-life balance, whatever “best” means to you is what is important. Take a minute to think about and maybe even write down what “best” looks like for you this year.

Goals are always connected to purpose, so I encourage you also to take a few minutes to answer the question, “What’s your WHY?” Why are you here? Why do you get up and come to work every day? What drives you? What’s your passion? What keeps you going? Yes, there’s the practical element of getting a paycheck, but we’re all here for something greater. Our mission as the College of Education is to enhance the well-being of society through our work; what’s your role in that larger mission?

My “WHY?” is YOU and everyone who makes up our UGA community—our students, staff, faculty, alumni, supporters, and those who benefit from our teaching, scholarship, and outreach. I get up and come to work every day because I truly believe that we are making a difference in this world. Each of you individually—and all of us collectively—are improving people’s lives through what we do every day. If I do my job well, you have the tools, resources, and support you need to achieve your WHY.

This summer, the College has acted upon a number of insights, suggestions, and requests from an online survey about the College. The survey is still open and accepting responses, but prominent among what’s been submitted was a need to foster community in the College of Education. Thus, I look forward to seeing you at the College of Education Fall Meeting, 2-4:30 p.m. Aug. 27 in Mahler Hall at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, where we will begin a conversation about what it means for all of us to be part of our community.

To ensure we have adequate seating and enough food,

please RSVP by email no later than Thursday, Aug. 23

with your name and department.

Looking forward to our best year,

Denise