March 11, 2022
Greetings Colleagues,
As we approach the end of the week, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful spring break and share a few updates. Whether you will be keeping campus open for prospective students next week, catching up on grading, facilitating a study abroad trip, or taking time off, I hope each of you will find rest in some form. Though spring is decidedly less ‘in the air’ today, I hope you find some warmth and sunshine during the break.
Support for our International Faculty and Staff
IU South Bend is home to many who have travelled far to be a part of our community. Our international faculty and staff bring a wealth of traditions, experiences, memories, and insights. Yet I know that many may worry for family and friends who remain abroad, especially in Ukraine or other conflict zones. News from home can be a source of unease or grief as it unfolds in real time via the unfiltered footage and commentary of social media and our 24/7 news cycle. We hope those of you among us know you can always lean on your campus community for support, especially during difficult times like the ones we are currently facing.
NAIA Tournament Titan Basketball Watch Parties
Kick off spring break by joining your colleagues, students, alumni and friends of IU South Bend in cheering on our Titans in the opening round of the NAIA National Basketball Tournaments. The Women’s Basketball Team is making their first national tournament appearance since 2005 and the Men’s Basketball Team is coming off its highest national ranking in program history! We will be hosting game watches on campus with food and fun today. Families are welcome! You can here.
IU South Bend Partnering with Amazon Career Choice Program
We are excited to announce a with Amazon’s Career Choice Program. Amazon employees who want to earn degrees and certificates and learn new skills for career success can now turn to IU South Bend for course work and upskilling opportunities. Through its partnership with Amazon Career Choice, IU South Bend provides their hourly employees with coursework at any of the campus’s six schools and colleges plus its professional development programs. Amazon employees who participate in the Career Choice program at IU South Bend can put their benefit toward full college tuition, certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills.
Financial Sustainability Initiative
I am pleased to share that the IU South Bend website is now live. On it you will find:
1. Overview of our financial sustainability initiatives
2. Strategies and processes we are using
3. Ways the campus community is being engaged
4. Information on change management workshops and book group
5. Previous campus budget updates
6. Ideas generated from the February Coffee with the Chancellor
7. Feedback portal for ideas and questions
The site will be continuously updated as the initiative progresses. Thanks again to everyone who has provided feedback and participated in the Coffee and other sessions.
Change Management
As mentioned above, IU South Bend Human Resources and IUHR Talent and Organization Development will be hosting workshops on Managing Transitions, Making the Most of Change (Bridges and Bridges, 2017). Topics will include options for navigating change, the three facets of change transition, and strategies to best navigate continuous change. to register or to learn more. Additionally, chat with the presenters Deb Dunbar and Denise Haws before/after the workshops. Ask questions and share your thoughts on change. No registration is required for these hour-long chats (it is required for the workshop) and please feel free to bring your lunch.
- Wednesday, March 16 from 12pm-1pm (Alumni Room)
- Thursday, March 24 from 11:30am-12:30pm (Alumni Room)
Are you interested in participating in a book club on change management? Members of the campus community will be gathering to read Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions (Kotter, 2006). If you are interested in being a part of this group, to register.
Chancellor’s Leadership Program
The Chancellor’s Leadership Program is continuing with another cohort to begin in fall 2022. The program will bring a selected group of faculty and staff together to learn about principles and practices of leadership, to create leader development plans for their own professional advancement, and to contribute their leadership to campus programs and initiatives. Applications are due March 31, 2022. For additional information on the program, .
After Spring Break
There is much to look forward to after spring break, from our annual Lundquist Lecture on April 6, to IU Day on April 20, to our fifty-sixth Commencement ceremony on May 10. Look for details on these events, as well as our April Coffee with the Chancellor in the Daily Titan. Our April Coffee with the Chancellor will include updates on our budget and financial sustainability planning efforts, as well as recent accomplishments across campus. I look forward to seeing you all soon.