Reflect and Reach Out in Gratitude

November 20, 2025

This year has been hard. I imagine that’s true for many of us.  And honestly, hard started long before 2025. In the midst of all that is going on here and around the world, I find my cynicism coming on more quickly. I have a snarky comment at the ready for just about every piece of breaking news. It’s tough to feel motivated sometimes.

Then, this semester brought one of the most challenging student cases I’ve encountered at Xavier. It required a lot of meetings, rounds of emails, and long, contentious conversations. It was one of those situations that can really wear a person down and creative a negative feedback loop. That would have been understandable. Instead, I was blown away by colleagues both inside the college and across the university. These folks navigated a truly impossible situation with good humor and grace. We bolstered one another when it felt like no resolution would come. They centered the student of concern in all our conversations. It wasn’t surprising. These were people on whom I’ve relied in the past. It was, however, a most helpful reminder at a very difficult time. I was reminded, over and over, of the good work that comes from our shared commitments. I was reminded why I pursued this vocation in the first place. I was reminded why I continue to choose to work here.

I hope that you find a moment within our time away next week to reflect on—and reach out to—those colleagues for whom you are most grateful. They make our hard days easier and the work we do so much richer.   

Jen Droege
Assistant Dean
College of Arts and Sciences