A Message from the Dean

Mar 2, 2026 9:00 AM

Spring 2026: A Culture of Grace, A Standard of Excellence Dear Colleagues

As we begin the Spring 2026 semester, I want to welcome you back and reflect on the path we are taking together this year.

Last August, I asked us all to focus on two simple but powerful words: Civility and Kindness. As we move into the new year, this focus is more important than ever. The world can often feel loud and divided, but our College should world Boyce C. Williams, Ph.D. be a place where we treat one another with genuine respect. To me, civility is the ‘how’ of our work — it’s the professional standard for how we interact. But kindness is the ‘why’ — it’s the heart that makes our work meaningful. In the College of Education, Behavioral, & Health Professions, we don’t just teach these values; we have to live them.

Our work is demanding. If we don’t make an effort to be patient and kind with one another, we risk burning out and losing our ability to truly help our students. We are the best at what we do, but we can only stay the best if we care for our community as much as we care for our curriculum. It is easy to be kind when things are going well, but our true character shows when things get stressful. When the pressure of the semester builds, I ask that you remember there is a human being behind every email and across every desk. We aren't just here to manage classrooms; we are here to support people.

Celebrating Our Successes

This culture of seeking one another is exactly why we continue to thrive, even amid budget and enrollment challenges. I am so proud of what you achieved last semester. I am thrilled to share that we are still holding the "lit candle" of excellence: every single one of our programs remains nationally accredited. Special congratulations to Social Work, Athletic Training, and Physician Assistant Medicine for achieving full accreditation in Fall 2025. This was a huge undertaking, and your hard work has not gone unnoticed.

Looking Ahead That commitment to quality continues this semester. We stand behind our Nursing Program as it hosts its accreditation visit, and we are already looking ahead to Psychology in 2027 and Educational Professions in 2029. Let’s make this a year when we are known for our support of one another as much as for our academic success. I am honored to work alongside you.

Remember, Our Door Is Always Open.

Dean Williams