Colleagues,
As we prepare to welcome our fall semester students, I wanted to share some important information, updates and events coming up in the months ahead.
Looking Forward
First, I would like to thank you all for your ongoing dedication to our students. No matter what challenges we face, their success remains our shared priority. As you know, I will be serving as Officer in Charge at the college for the foreseeable future. It is my honor to step in and serve in this capacity as we navigate this transitional period and the search for a new president. Please know that I am committed to the success and wellbeing of our entire college community, including students, faculty and staff, and I will focus on increasing transparency and trust, strengthening relationships and moving our strategic priorities forward.
Presidential Search
The first step of the presidential search process is choosing a firm with requisite experience. The college issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in July and received responses on Aug. 9. Once a firm is selected, in consultation with our Board and SUNY, we will build a search committee with representatives from our core stakeholder groups and solicit input from the broader college community as we begin recruitment activities. This process is expected to take several months, but please know that there will be several opportunities for you to participate, and your perspective is essential to its success. I will be sure to reach out with specific details on those opportunities when they arise and communicate any updates as they develop.
Fall Semester Events
There are several important events coming up this semester that I hope to see you at, including:
- On Monday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m., we will hold a State of the College Meeting, similar to the All-College Meetings we have held in the past, in the Maureen Stapleton Theatre. A second State of the College meeting will be held in the spring term; that date will be shared later this semester.
- A Town Hall Meeting also will be held this fall on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 2:30 p.m. in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center Meeting Rooms. This is a chance for faculty and staff to come together, learn about current and future projects and priorities, ask questions and give input on what comes next for Hudson Valley. I will provide more information on this meeting as it gets closer.
- We also will host informal “Coffee & Conversation” events throughout the year to foster communication among students and employees. Our first one will be Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Marvin Library Café. Plan to stop by, and please encourage your coworkers and students to attend.
In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, concerns or input. I am happy to be of assistance where possible. You can reach me at l.coplin@hvcc.edu.
In closing, I ask that you make a renewed effort to work together, to collaborate and to do everything you can to support our students. I am grateful to have such a dedicated group of colleagues to work with as we shape the college’s future, and I appreciate your support as we move the institution forward.
Sincerely,
Louis Coplin
Officer in Charge