From the IANR Vice Chancellor
Colleagues,
Midway through an unprecedented fall semester, I stand in awe of you. Our faculty and staff dedicated to nurturing our next generation of change-makers developed truly ingenious ways of delivering coursework and repeatedly demonstrated how deeply you care for our students and their success. Our research programs are thriving, with news of forthcoming publications and new grants filling my inbox each week. Our Extension team jumped into action in March and has yet to slow down. Our graduate students continue forward progress in their thesis and dissertation projects. Thank you for your role in advancing IANR and the impacts you drive during these unique -- and sometimes trying -- times.
Too, I want to acknowledge my appreciation for our colleagues who have more directly felt COVID’s impacts. Many are balancing their important professional activities and school-work while caring for young children, picking up homeschooling duties, or caring for sick or aging loved ones. While we all experience COVID-19, some have been directly and profoundly impacted.
As we begin the process of annual performance reviews, I urge supervisors to keep in mind the past few months have been an unusual time for all of us and a very difficult time for some. While it is critical we maintain our high standards of excellence, it is also critical, especially this year, to inject a heavy dose of humanity into your reviews and upcoming interactions.
Thank you again for all you do. Thank you for your passion. Thank you for caring about and supporting each other’s success. I appreciate you all.
Mike Boehm, Ph.D.
NU Vice President & IANR Harlan Vice Chancellor