Greeting to all in SLALS!
As SLALS’ new(ish) Director, I would like to welcome everyone to the new academic year. I know that the last couple of years have been filled with uncertainty for all of us but I hope that we are now fast approaching the ‘next normal’. Obviously, there are still some unknowns about what this normality will look like in the university setting but we all have a hand in shaping the future so that we can continue to provide quality education to our students and produce world-class research. I for one am excited to be a part of this.
I know some of you were busy this summer teaching, preparing for teaching, doing supervision, writing, or some of the myriad of other academic activities one can find. And, I know others were busy keeping the engines of SLALS turning over in your roles as Support Staff. Regardless, I hope you also managed to take a break and refresh yourself.
My summer was an exercise in learning. Learning about all the different sections of SLALS that I hadn’t really become familiar with in my ALDS roles. I have learned that there are a lot of aspects of the Director position that one cannot prepare for (or even imagine!) but I am excited to face all the challenges that present themselves. I have also learned how special all members of our staff and faculty are. I have relied heavily on every one of our support staff (Thanks for your patience!) and no matter how difficult or complex a task I have learned to trust their knowledge and experience. I have begun learning about all the great activities our faculty are involved in. Truly a gifted group of individuals bonded by our love of all things language.
I would love to meet even more of you face-to-face in the upcoming year. If you would like to sit down over coffee to share ideas on all things SLaLS-related or just to be listen to tales of about my morning’s dog walk, please feel free to come by my office(s) or arrange a convenient time by contacting Nikki: NikkiGilroy@cunet.carleton.ca
I would, finally, like to encourage everyone to submit your stories, awards, publications, conference presentations, keynote speeches, and students’ notable achievements to this newsletter. The more we know about each other and the more connections we make the stronger the school becomes. Submit through the online submission form here.
I wish everyone a productive and successful year! I am so honoured to be working in a role to help everyone work towards achieving this.
Michael