Welcome each of you, the new faculty members to Oakland University, in what we believe is the best decision of your professional careers.
On behalf of the OU community, I’d like to extend my gratitude to you for joining our team and playing an essential role in working to serve students and our community.
As new faculty, please know we believe in you… and we will do everything we can to support you.
Your success is OU’s success…and OU’s success is your success.
Let me take a moment to discuss our mission…
Our mission is to cultivate the full potential of a diverse and inclusive community.
Our arching goal is to impact the world through education, research, scholarship and creative activity.
You are now a resident of our world – the OU community.
You have come to a place where you will find a supportive administration and the most dedicated colleagues, who are committed to unlocking the potential of their students and determined to leave a lasting impact on the world through the transformative power of education and research.
In the days and years ahead, we will work together as we walk together along the path illuminated by our strategic plan, which is built on four pillars: student success; research; community engagement; and fostering a campus that is a model of diversity, equity and inclusion.
In the upcoming months, we must work efficiently and effectively as a team….a team that addresses the challenges of COVID-19 and also the pressing challenges facing all higher education institutions.
We must always be mindful to demonstrate our value to our students and our community.
We must always ask how can we improve our service to students and help them succeed.
We must find ways to further engage in our communities, and build partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
We must pursue discoveries and research that provide much-needed knowledge that supports our communities and regional industries.
And, we must strive always to be a community that is open, respectful and a place known for diversity, equity and inclusion.
So, welcome newest members to the Oakland University faculty and community.
Our arms and hearts are open to you.
We wish you the best of luck…and look forward to working with you as we face the many challenges in the days ahead.
