Message from the Chancellor
Welcome to this latest edition of the eConnection, where we hope you’ll take some time to reflect on your own experiences (past, present and future) with SIUE. As an alumnus of this great University, these first six months as Chancellor have been a wonderful walk down Memory Lane as I reconnect with faculty from the past and learn more about all that has happened since my time as a student here. And that encompasses a LOT!
Reflecting upon the present, I am proud of the many outstanding recent accomplishments at SIUE:
- Continuing high enrollments
- Grants and research productivity
- State, regional and national recognitions for both faculty and students
- New and continuing community partnerships
- Athletic successes in leagues
All of these achievements have occurred during a time of financial uncertainty and, yet, Cougar Pride is alive and well.
As for the future, I look forward to many exciting initiatives:
- Recruiting efforts as we look to continue recent successes in student enrollment
- Retention efforts as we look to improve our support for students
- The updating of the Diversity Strategic Plan
- Continued emphasis on community support at the East St. Louis campus
- Developing new academic opportunities for adult learners, graduate students and degree completion, including developing new online and off-campus offerings
- Completion of the renovation of the Science East building
- Completion of new construction on the School of Engineering addition
- Developing and implementing plans for a Center for Faculty Development and Innovation
- Community partnerships, including those outside the local region
I recently participated in a High Impact Community Engagement Practices (HICEPs) activity which has been a focus of mine for over a decade. Approximately 50 individuals from the Midwest provided health assessments and constructed facilities for the impoverished in Costa Rica. Our School of Dental Medicine did some advanced “scouting” this year in anticipation of SIUE students travelling to Costa Rica in 2018. It is possible that SIUE students from nursing and construction management may also contribute in the future.
I know that by working together, we will continue to surmount obstacles and achieve many incredible goals at SIUE in 2017.
SIUE is fulfilling its mission to “shape a changing world” and the result is positive momentum so, in thinking of the year ahead, I wish you the best … or as they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida!”
Randall G. Pembrook
Alumnus and SIUE Chancellor