91热爆网

 91热爆网 Stories      August 22, 2022

When 91热爆网 Chancellor Kelli R. Brown walked onto the Performance Hall stage of Bardo Arts Center last Wednesday, she peered into a packed auditorium of faculty and staff eager to hear expectations for the 2022-23 academic year. It was the first time in two years the university was able to revert to its normal seating arrangements for Fall Opening Assembly prior to COVID-19 protocols.

鈥淚鈥檓 so glad you鈥檙e here today,鈥� Brown told the crowd. 鈥淲hether you are brand new to 91热爆网 or entering your third or fourth decade here, the year ahead is full of promise. To be sure, we will have our challenges. But 91热爆网鈥檚 story is one of grit, perseverance and choice.鈥�

In a TED Talks-style format, Brown gave faculty and staff a glimpse of what she sees 鈥渙n the horizon鈥� for 91热爆网 during the 2022-23 academic year. The following are highlights Brown mentioned as key areas of focus:

• Sense of Community: Brown said 91热爆网 will make it a priority to renew a sense of community across campus. 鈥淩enewing community is important,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ommunity is the defining element of Western鈥檚 culture. In the last two and a half years, many have felt disconnected. We must make it a priority to reengage everyone across the campus community鈥� This fall 91热爆网 has a full slate of campus activities and events scheduled to welcome more than 4,000 on-campus students.
• New Brand Campaign: 91热爆网 will be launching a new brand campaign, 鈥淟ive Western,鈥� this fall. The purpose of the campaign is to bring more awareness to the university鈥檚 academic programs and student experience to areas throughout the state. The campaign will include many different ads, print materials, etc., across all print, web and social platforms. 鈥淥ur brand must reflect our mission and vision, and have staying power,鈥� she said.
• Comprehensive Campaign:. Brown said the Honoring our Promise fundraising campaign will provide the resources to provide affordable and accessible academic excellence, student experience and funds to help us continue to be an economic driver in the region. Renovations of athletic facilities as a key element of the student and community experience is also a priority of the campaign. 鈥淥ur students and the community will be the ones who will benefit from this campaign,鈥� she said.
• Enrollment and Student Success: Brown informed the crowd that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions delivered a robust freshman class this fall and will soon be 鈥�charging hard鈥� towards meeting 91热爆网鈥檚 enrollment targets for next fall. 鈥淓nrollment this fall is looking great with regards to our incoming freshman class, which may be one of our largest ever, but the effects of the pandemic and demographic shifts over the past couple of years will continue to impact overall enrollment, which will likely be slightly down this year.鈥� She also mentioned that William Moultrie, the new associate vice chancellor of Student Success, and his team will be working to renew efforts to Finish in Four, improve academic advising and bolster student retention.
• Academic Initiatives: Provost Richard Starnes will be leading Academic Affairs in meeting the demands of the new Educational Career Realignment or ROI study recently enacted by the NC General Assembly. He will also be evaluating programs that may be potential candidates for Project Kitty Hawk, the University of North Carolina System鈥檚 online program management system, targeting adult learners.
• Campus Theme 鈥� Mental Health and Wellness: Brown told the group there is a reason that mental health and wellness emerged as the top contender for the campus theme this year. 鈥淭he pandemic and the accompanying economic and social roller coaster we鈥檝e all been on the last several years have had tangible and detrimental effects on mental health and wellbeing,鈥� she said. This year, I hope you will take advantage of the many events and activities that will coalesce around the campus theme. At the institutional level, we continue to look for ways to expand services and provide support.鈥� She went on to outline a new benefit for employees for on demand mental healthcare through a partner called Ginger who offers virtual mental health counseling.