Dear faculty, staff, and students,

UVM is a uniquely special place. There are as many things that make our university distinctive as there are members of our community. There also are elements that span our shared experience and draw us together: students are at the center of all we do; our research and engagement help us stand out as one of the nation’s premier public research universities; and our faculty and staff are deeply committed to making this all possible. We are, as our state motto proclaims, a place of freedom and unity.

Retaining and protecting these qualities requires active engagement—we cannot rest on our laurels. This is why we need to continually revisit and refresh our academic programs to meet the needs of our students now and in the years that will follow their graduation. It is also why it’s so important to ensure that students from all economic and social backgrounds can access UVM’s excellent educational experience.

It is no secret that all of higher education is at a critical crossroads, but we have worked hard to build a roadmap that will guide UVM’s path forward and enhance our future success. This strategic approach, Amplifying Our Impact, was chartered with the input of students, faculty and staff, and reflects our past and current strengths, as well as our projections for the future. I have listed below links to two recent commentaries that speak to these priorities; I hope you will find them interesting, and helpful.

Given our shared connection to UVM—and the many unique ways it is special to us—I am asking for us all to keep our eyes on the horizon while doing now what we must to prepare for our future. As I shared at the start of this message, UVM is a special place. With your partnership, I know our future is bright.

Sincerely,

Suresh Garimella, President

— University Business, “Why there’s no excuse needed for transformational change,” Feb. 10, 2021

— Times Argus, “Vermont by Degrees: Developing tomorrow’s students,” Feb. 20, 2021