I am excited to introduce a new part of our newsletter! Each month, I will share important updates and insights. I also want to continue to remind you of the many ways I hope you’ll connect with your fellow colleagues and me, including providing direct feedback.

Gratitude – FASET

As we wind down summer, I want to thank everyone who worked hard to ensure that we contributed successfully to FASET Orientation. Welcoming and orienting our new first-year and transfer students to their GT community is one of the most important steps we can do in ensuring students begin their journey to success. There is more to go with our “Week of Welcome” events to welcome all students back to campus. I hope you’ll particularly plan to stop by our “Cookies, Coke, & Conversation” event at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Looking ahead to fall, I am excited about the start of a new academic year and the opportunities ahead!

Princess Leia, Maya Angelou, and Strategic Planning

photo grid

Can you identify which character in the photo above corresponds to which member of OUE’s senior leadership team (based on someone who describes them and who they can relate to?)*

At the end of July, the senior leadership team participated in an off-site meeting to take a reflective and constructive look at the work we are doing across OUE and to start aligning and prioritizing that work with our Institute Strategic Plan (ISP). The meeting was facilitated by LaTrese Ferguson (GTPE) and Martha Greenway (Greenway Consultants), who has been engaged to lead this process. This plan will build on the work we started last year to realign our senior leadership structure and will start helping us move towards our shared “North Star” to Create a transformative and meaningful undergraduate experience for every student. More information, including an “all hands” virtual meeting for all staff coming soon.

(*First person to email me with the correct responses gets a PRIZE!)

FY24 Budgets

For this fiscal year (FY24), OUE (like other units under Education and Learning) received no new permanent “Form 2” state funding except for the cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). We received some one-time funding to support our USG-required priorities and to initiate the new QEP, which will be managed within OUE. While I am grateful for the strong budget support that we have had over the past years, I recognize that the current budget news may mean some tighter operational budgets in some of our areas, particularly as we see continued growth in undergraduate enrollment (and higher demand for programs and services). As a result, we will work to identify opportunities for one-time funds that may be available internally, externally, and through ISP funding. The Senior Leadership team has been asked to submit all requests for additional one-time state funding as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

Important OUE meetings this fall

Please be sure to mark these events on your calendar, including our Fall Semester Town Hall, which will include lunch and continue to be in-person.

  • OUE Administrative Updates
    • August 29th, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Virtual
    • Senior Leadership, Directors, Program Managers, Administrative Support, New Staff
  • OUE Emergency Preparedness Training Refresher Event
    • August 30th, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Bill Moore Student Success Center - Festival Level
  • OUE Strategic Alignment Planning “all hands” meeting (TBD)
  • OUE Fall Town Hall (in-person, TBD)