Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

The new academic year is here, and the excitement is evident all over campus as we welcome over 1,500 new students. From my second-floor office, I watch our students talk and walk in groups and want to reach out to them and tell them that this is their chance to redefine themselves. Their chance to challenge all assumptions and lay a solid foundation for their lives and careers. I want to tell them that, despite what you might think, no one is judging you or watching your every move. You don’t have to make every decision now, or understand all aspects of your field of study, or decide on a career path. So let go, be yourself, enjoy the new beginning, and organically learn about your new environment as you go. I am not suggesting, of course, not to explore and extend yourself. To the contrary, I am suggesting that you be yourself, recognize your own unique talents and cultivate them in a timely, methodical manner without trying to clarify all aspects of your new environment in the here and now.

Of course, a successful academic year starts with some good planning with clear milestones and timelines and, perhaps most importantly, good time management. Did I say time management? I have clear recollection of my own start as a freshman at LSU over 40 years ago with all the challenges of being away – far away – from home for the first time in a new country, adjusting to a new culture and learning a new language. Lost in unfamiliar terrain, worried and overwhelmed, I struggled to find my way through the maze of official processes and academic demands.

I often reflect on those days and think how foundational, wonderfully constructive and character building they were. I think back and remember all the supportive LSU faculty, staff and administrators who believed in us as young, energetic and promising newcomers.

To both incoming and returning students, I offer our comprehensive guide to student support functions and share this reminder to take advantage of all the resourcesoffered at S&T to help you succeed, stay healthy, get involved and make connections. Academic advising is always available, as are counseling, tutoring and coachingoptions, including peer tutoring, and services to support your well-being.

For our new faculty and staff, we offer a variety of opportunities to get connected and experience all that S&T and the surrounding community has to offer. Earlier this week, we welcomed approximately 40 new faculty to the campus – the largest group of new faculty in recent years – and shared with them our faculty programs and resources that can help them succeed. To gear up for the semester, our learning environments support team in IT provided demonstrations to help faculty and staff become familiar with our classroom technology and the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellenceprovided workshops on course design.

To all our new students, faculty and staff, I say that we see you, welcome you, and value you. As I will highlight at our upcoming convocation, the most important ingredients for success here at S&T will be persistence and the spirit of teamwork. You must help others help you, and that cannot happen if you don’t reach out for help when you need it. As you get ready and set to go, I am watching and looking forward to your success and to the difference that you will make for us, for your communities and for the world.

Warmly,

-Mo.

Share your thoughts!

Check out the latest news from S&T:

• Minteer elected fellow of American Chemical Society
• Two S&T students earn new biomedical research awards
• National engineering honor society honors professor with mentoring award

Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu