Dear Colleagues,
As you know, I was appointed on August 1 st as the University at Albany’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve in this role at this exciting time for the University. UAlbany is poised for tremendous growth and ready to move to the next level of prominence, with a powerful commitment to excellence in research, teaching, service, engagement, diversity and inclusion.
In my first two months on the job I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and I feel very warmly welcomed to the University and the Capital Region. It was great to be part of the opening rituals for the fall semester – the Faculty Retreat, Opening Convocation, New Faculty Orientation, the President’s Picnic, a football game – and now I am beginning to feel that the semester is in full swing. I want to thank you for the role that you have played in making my transition to UAlbany comfortable and enjoyable.
I have been meeting regularly with the Deans, Vice Provosts, the President and the other members of the Executive Committee. I am also meeting with faculty, staff and students, including the Student Associations and the University Senate’s councils and committees. Based on these conversations I see five major priorities for the coming year: student retention and recruitment; accelerating the development and expansion of online academic programs; developing budget strategies to support the needs of the schools and colleges; preparing for Middle States re-accreditation; and increasing the visibility of the University. I have started to develop collaborative strategies for addressing these areas, and I look forward to working with you to implement them.
Of course, there are many more initiatives that are underway throughout the Division of Academic Affairs and across campus that are critically important to our mission. In addition to driving forward the goals listed above, I see it as my responsibility to support and enhance these activities throughout the Division and in collaboration with others wherever possible. We are all working together every day to advance the Strategic Plan and enhance academic excellence on our campus. I am grateful for your service to our mission and I am confident that, together, we can meet our goals and achieve greatness.
Thank you for all that you do at this University and in support of the academic enterprise and the University as a whole. I am so happy to be joining your team, and I look forward to the many opportunities that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Carol H. Kim, PhD
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
