December 6, 2022
Greetings,
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are looking forward to a much-deserved winter break in the coming weeks. I wanted to share a few updates and upcoming events before we wrap up the Fall semester.
Focus on High School to College Transitions
Our high school relationships are critical, and we are doing more to build upon them as well as create programs that will improve enrollment of new students in our region. For example, Vice President Sciame-Giesecke has secured funding for new staff positions to help us promote our new ICC certificate with local high schools. And, through a new partnership with Campus Compact we have obtained an AmeriCorp VISTA member to help us better educate parents of low-income K-12 students on the value of a college education. We have also engaged Leadership South Bend Mishawaka, an organization that many of you are familiar with, on a project to develop a creative “gap year” program for participating high school graduates to better transition to post-secondary educational opportunities and careers in our region.
Vice Chancellor Transition
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Diversity Monica Porter will be leaving us at the end of the year to pursue new career opportunities. As many of you know Monica has served IU South Bend for the past five years, through unprecedented times of transition and change. Under her leadership, IU South Bend became a Military Friendly campus, developed the Titan Autism Program, and more. Monica’s last day at IU South Bend will be December 31. Please join me in thanking Monica for her service to IU South Bend these past five years.
The search will begin for a new Vice Chancellor shortly, with plans to have a leader onboard no later than this summer. During this time of transition Laura Harlow, Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusive Excellence, will be serving as Interim Dean of Students. I am also grateful to Associate Vice Chancellor Kevin Griffith who will be taking on more within Student Affairs & Diversity during this transition.
Raclin Winter Wonderland Holiday Sock Hop
Don’t miss the annual Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts holiday performance on Friday, December 9, 2022, at 7:00pm in the Northside Hall Campus Auditorium. This year will be extra special, as we will be welcoming special guest performers from local area high schools. The Raclin school will have a beautiful winter wonderland in their lobby to take photos and enjoy hot cocoa after the performance. The annual holiday celebration is also an opportunity to connect with charitable organizations serving the Michiana community. This year the Raclin School is partnering with St. Vincent de Paul Society. Donations of non-perishable food or personal hygiene products are being requested in exchange for admission.
I know this is a busy and often stressful time as students are working on final assignments and exams, faculty and staff are grading and helping students complete their courses successfully, and everyone is gearing up for winter weather and over-the-break slowdowns in campus activity. As a reminder has a variety of wellness resources available to you. I appreciate each one of you, and all you do for our students, each other, and our community. I hope you will be able to take advantage of the time we have over the winter break to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with family and friends.