Issue link: http://ncumarketing.uberflip.com/i/1421945
14 Darren Adamson, PhD Chair, Department of Marriage and Family Sciences Greetings, Colleagues and Friends! It was so great to interact with you all at the Faculty Symposium and graduation. We were able to interact virtually and in-person, and it was such a joy. It was fun to see that both modalities worked and we were able to enjoy some time together. With COVID and being house-bound, I have been needing that interaction for a long time and so enjoyed it. Being a part of this amazing team and being with/ watching students celebrate the accomplishment of a goal was so wonderful. Thanks for all you do for students, for each other… for me. I deeply appreciate each of you! We are in the midst of a major transformation through combining two universities into one. It is exciting to consider all of the possibilities as the new NU extends what we offer to more students around the world. We have the opportunity to expand our group of colleagues and learn from and with them. These and other possibilities related to this transformation are very exciting. Change, on the other hand, is not necessarily exciting. Many of us have felt anxiety, confusion, insecurity, etc., as we have heard about and seen the changes unfolding. Change is uncomfortable, at least for me, because it is inherently uncertain and triggers my fear of the unknown. In my experience, sitting with that discomfort and letting it be what it is has helped me not react but to respond to the process as it unfolds. The other thing that helps me manage change stress is feeling the presence and support of colleagues. In this change process, I am grateful for you all!! We continue to grow in the Department of Marriage and Family Sciences, both in terms of students and faculty. Here is a summary of both from August 2020 to August 2021: AUGUST 2020 AUGUST 2021 CHANGE Student Population 2100 2593 493 Faculty Body 80 112 32