Dean’s Letters

Last Monday, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will allocate more than $1 trillion to repair and upgrade the nation’s infrastructure.

This is good news for our country and for our college. Included in the law is $550 billion of new federal investments in America’s infrastructure over five years, touching everything from airports, bridges, and roads to the nation’s broadband, water and energy systems, and the equitable and sustainable ways we can improve them.

It’s a week before school begins and I already have the First Day of School Jitters. Can you believe it’s been nearly 18 months since we last taught classes in person?

This year, of course, things are different. I’m sure many of you share the same feelings of anticipation and anxiety that I’ve had since being back on campus in our new Post-Vaccine World: Do the vaccines and masks really work? Can we successfully return to teaching in person?

The answer to these questions is ‘Yes.’

Washington State University has recently loosened several of its COVID-19 protocols in response to new state guidance, reducing case numbers, and the widespread availability and use of vaccines.

I wanted to highlight some of these changes and how they may affect each of you.

I am writing to update you on the search process for a new director for the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering.

Season’s Greetings! I wish each of you a safe and relaxing holiday break, filled with an abundance of peace and happiness for you and your loved ones.

As 2020 draws to a close, I also would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to everyone who has helped make this semester a successful one for our students, faculty, and staff.

Information Technology Services (ITS), in partnership with WSU’s Academic Outreach Initiative (AOI) and Faculty Senate, will be offering university-wide access to the final phase of WSU’s Canvas pilot beginning spring 2021.

As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, I choose to reflect and be grateful for the bounty we have in our lives.

This year, I am especially thankful for your efforts to ensure our collective success.

I want to thank everyone who attended last Friday’s VCEA Town Hall. In these uncertain times, it was a great opportunity to see everyone and have candid, face-to-face conversations about the important issues facing our college.

For those of you who could not attend, I want to give you an update of Voiland College’s budget situation.