From the Dean | February 2021
|
Dear Arts and Science community, One way that we accomplish our mission in the College of Arts and Science is to advance and support Ph.D. education. Our primary objective in doctoral training is to forge the next generation of teachers and researchers. Toward that end, we offer more than 20 Ph.D. programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Our faculty work closely with these talented students, giving them the skills to conduct cutting-edge discovery and to foster genuine creativity. A critical part of their training also involves learning how to teach and communicate their findings to others. The bottom line is that our Ph.D. students are vital to A&S’s mission and to enriching our intellectual community. Because of the widespread impact these emerging scholars have on our university and on their chosen fields, the college has recently made some important investments to build even more excellence in graduate education. We have made this decision when many of our peer institutions, in response to the global pandemic, are cutting investments in graduate education. We have, for example, increased graduate stipends to ensure that our Ph.D. students are well-supported as they pursue their training. This increase will help us remain competitive for the very best students. Further, we are working to provide additional years of support for many of our graduate students to help them navigate the pandemic, which has had severe adverse effects on higher education and the academic job market. In addition, we are encouraging our graduate programs to reach across fields and leverage our interdisciplinary strengths, ensuring our students are competitive for the best jobs at our peer institutions. Finally, as the college jump-starts our renovation of the campus’s historic core, we are working to create state-of-the-art spaces to provide graduate students with a supportive learning environment that allows for the best possible training. The university is also making investments in graduate education. Notably, work is underway to build a “Graduate Student Village” that will serve as a living-learning hub for all graduate and professional students. Within walking distance of central campus, the village will include residential units, public gathering spaces, study areas, a grocery store, and a fitness center. This development will ensure more integration of our graduate students into the life of the university. Our Ph.D. students are the future of learning and discovery. They will offer important new findings and theories, teach upcoming generations of students, and engage in service that will improve people’s lives. In short, they are and will be making a difference, and investing in them will pay countless dividends for the college, for the university, and, frankly, for the world. My best,
|
