Spring 2009 Dean's Update

Mark Meyers
Dean of College of Social Sciences, Health, and Education

It seems like every day people are talking about something happening, that is unlike anything that has happened before. The climate, weather, stock market, economy and a variety of other things are all examples of the issues we are facing today. However, I do not believe this is a time for negativity or to play a game of who has the worst news. Instead, we need to focus on the positive outlook and ways we have to move forward. As Fr. Graham has been heard to say on campus, "A crisis is a terrible thing to waste."

We have been given an opportunity. As we move forward out of this situation, we can strengthen our program by keeping focus on what we do best. We can live the college motto of "collaborate, innovate and educate."

So, what does that mean for us? It means a call to action like we have never had before. We all know changes are coming to health care from all directions, and we must be a part of it. It is a time to be bold and be a part of the solution rather than just sitting back and listing the problems for everyone to see.

For this program in particular, all aspects of our community should be working together to make each and every day a little bit better for all involved. Each of us need to find a way to connect with other members of our community, mentoring, being a preceptor, giving a class presentation, or simply offering advice to the program on areas that need to be worked on in order for our graduates to continue to excel.

After all, I have a very simple goal in life: to leave a world for my children with more opportunities than one that was left for me. How well does that goal fit for you?