UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 09.03.21
Dear Team:
Over the past two weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting with advancement colleagues and university presidents in Scotland and Ireland. While our institutions are clearly different, we acknowledged that we are all wrestling with several of the same concerns. Everything from the obvious COVID-related issues like return-to-office plans, vaccination requirements, and the health and well-being of our employees, to campaign strategies, supporting our academic leadership teams, and increasing alumni engagement.
Among the themes that emerged from these meetings was the belief that our institutions are perhaps more important today than ever before. While that may sound a bit cliché, there is an abundance of evidence to prove that statement. I’ll defer from the case making and get to the other, and more important common theme… higher education institutions need to do a better job of articulating our value proposition to the world! Also, not a novel thought, but the current environment may be the perfect opportunity to amplify and illustrate the impact our institutions undeniably have on society. If we accept this statement as fact, our teams and the work we do become even more important.
During my meetings I found myself feeling incredibly proud (almost boastful) talking about the amazing work we do at the University of Illinois. Likewise, my colleagues enthusiastically and without hesitation shared story after story about the transformational impact their institutions are making on the world. I guess what I’m saying is we should all be proud of our affiliation with the University of Illinois, and we should take every opportunity to let people know why we matter. The world is a better place because of the university, and more broadly the discovery and creation of knowledge made possible by investments in higher education. Thank you for everything you do to help us tell the world about the important work the University of Illinois does.
On another note, it is September, and most of us, including those with school-age children, have made it through at least one week of the first semester. Best wishes to all, especially those parents who sent a child off, or perhaps back to college. I remember the emotional roller coaster ride of leaving my kid in the care of their new university community. Hang in there, they will be just fine.
Finally, have a great weekend and don’t let the new health and safety guidelines get you down. Stay focused on all the good stuff, including the long Labor Day weekend.
Cheers,
Jim