[Academic-Affairs] Greetings from the Interim Provost

[Office of the Provost/VPAA]

Colleagues,

As Fall Semester approaches and we anticipate the arrival of our students,
I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself and to express
appreciation for all that you do. I’ve only been in Plattsburgh for ten
days and it’s already clear to me that this university is full of wonderful
people possessed of all the various skills and acumen required to truly
effect inclusive student success.

My name is Brent Carbajal, and I have the honor of serving you this year as
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. I retired
last year at this time from Western Washington University after a 25-year
career there, the last nine years as Provost. When I retired, I knew that I
wanted to remain active in higher education and perhaps assist other
institutions with their important work, just not in a “permanent” position.
When the opportunity here at Plattsburgh was called to my attention, I
was impressed
by your mission, vision, and values – they very much align with mine.
So, suffice
it to say that I’m excited to meet you and to get started!

I never cease to marvel at the sense of anticipation, the feeling of
rejuvenation, and the remarkable enthusiasm that characterize the return to
campus in the fall. The traditional inquiries as to how summer months have
been spent, the standard response about the speed with which those months
have passed, and the genuine happiness found in encountering valued
colleagues again after the vernal hiatus all make this an enjoyable time.
Since elementary school I’ve looked forward annually to “the start of school,”
and this year is no different.

However, this year actually will be different in many ways. For me, of
course, it will be different because I’m at a new university and in a new
part of the country. For all of you, I think that operationally this year
represents the next step toward continued pandemic recovery and to
redoubled engagement with Plattsburgh Next. President Enyedi has set before
me a number of goals that I’ll be discussing with you during the year, all
of them tied together in my mind by their importance in implementing
strategic priorities. The university will undertake a national search for
your next provost, and that important work is also not quotidian by any
stretch of the imagination!

I’ll close by reiterating my enthusiasm to begin the semester and by
thanking you for spending some time reading this email. I look forward to
meeting you!

Sincerely,

Brent
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