5 Things to Know Weekly Update
Dear Colleagues,
Happy second 8-week classes – they start today, along with the beginning of summer registration. I hope everyone had a good break – I am including a photo from Crowder Mountain in North Carolina, a hike that my son described as “moderate.” 😊 It’s important to get away from work for a few days and see family or nature, then come back re-energized for the rest of the semester. As you know, May is awash with events and celebrations, so take a breath and enjoy the rest of April.
Meridith
This month is Autism Acceptance Month and there are a number of events going on, including a Friday Zoom workshop for faculty about supporting students in the classroom. We are also moving forward with hiring a full-time counselor/coordinator to oversee our services to autistic students – very exciting and a first here at GWC!
You may have seen the notice from Christina Ryan-Rodriguez that Dr. Andre Manukyan will be joining us later this month as our first Associate Dean of Equity and Special Programs. He is especially strong in basic needs support, so we look forward to increasing the great work that you all have already done in that area.
Over the break, my son Henry and I discussed how we both have problems approaching people we don’t know, talking on the phone, etc., and that it has taken years to overcome that anxiety. I’m thrilled to see that the Student Health Center will be offering a social anxiety workshop on April 16 at Noon to help with those issues….I’ll be there for sure! Thanks to the Student Health Center for arranging.
I know many of you have asked about “private” signs for your office areas – VP Hicks has them on order and we expect to distribute very soon. I apologize for the delay. These signs are voluntary and will stick to walls outside of doorways. We do ask that they not be put outside classrooms so that students are not confused or dissuaded from entering – classrooms are, of course, only for registered students in any event and faculty can always refuse entry to others.
I will be on campus from Monday through Wednesday, then attending the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) annual conference with many of you the rest of the week. I ask every day when Primrose Park will open and will let you know when the fences come down! The grand opening will be on May 6.