St. Cloud State University welcomed students, faculty and staff back for spring semester with a convocation address recognizing the challenges facing our nation and the struggles students are having amid the pandemic and fight for racial justice.
In his welcome address, Provost Dan Gregory spoke about how St. Cloud State University is establishing a competitive advantage through the implementation of the It’s Time Strategy. Student Government President Surkhel Yousafzai gave an address on behalf of the students.
President Robbyn Wacker reflected on the challenges of 2020, noting the hardships that students experienced and addressed head on. She focused this address to highlight the campus wide efforts that are underway to support students, and to stress that 2021 is a year of hope and new beginnings.
“Many of our students are struggling this year,” she said. “Their families may have lost jobs, they may be worried about how to pay rent, buy food or care for a loved one. They are worried they won’t be able to finish their degree.”
She thanked faculty and staff for all they’ve done, and continue to do, to support students as they progress toward their degree in the midst of this uncertainty. Then she looked toward the future St. Cloud State is working toward through the implementation of the It’s Time framework to better serve students and make St. Cloud State stand out from the competition for its academic quality.
St. Cloud State is adding new programs and creating an Institute of Technology. Elevating the Schools of Health and Human Services and Education to Colleges and creating a new School of Professional and Continuing Education. The university is strengthening its position in the humanities, arts and social sciences through a new College of Liberal Arts strategic plan and supporting students with new opportunities through Huskies Advance and Huskies Coaching and much more spring.
Most importantly, St. Cloud State is prioritizing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion this spring with opportunities for engagement for all Huskies. To begin, complete this survey and share your thoughts on past practices and where we have been able to address DEI concerns, what you think should be a priority, and how you would like to engage in the discussion and future activities and planning. To complete the survey: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Survey
“We are moving forward as an institution,” Wacker said. “There will be life after COVID. We will make a difference in your life and the lives of our students.”
