Welcome to a new academic year!
Just a few days into the fall term, I’m already heartened by the constant bustle on campus and the enthusiasm of the students I’ve crossed paths with so far.
Dr. Anne Bowker is Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
On September 8, we held our Arts and Social Sciences Meet and Greet in the Quad, and I was so impressed by the turnout and my conversations with many of you. You seem determined and excited as you pursue degrees in the subjects that interest you. By choosing the arts and social sciences, I think you have made a very smart decision for your future, though I may be a little biased!
As a developmental psychologist, a long-time professor and now entering my fourth year as Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, I have spent much of my career thinking about how young people learn and grow. What I have learned, often from students themselves, is that real growth does not usually occur all at once. It comes through an accumulation of experiences, relationships, questions and challenges, as well as small, everyday acts of courage and kindness.
My hope is that you give yourself every opportunity to experience that growth this year.
Your department is a good place to begin building those relationships. Introduce yourself to a professor after class or visit them during office hours. Get to know your fellow students and the staff, administrators and advisors who support your program. Become part of the department’s culture and consider what you might contribute to it. Remember that your program is more than just a collection of courses. It is an intellectual community filled with people who can change the way you understand the world and help you find your place in it.
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