Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday! Happy New Year!

In the spirit of “do as I do and not as I say,” and following my own “preachings” – creating "done-lists" and not just “to-do lists” – I thought to provide our 2025 done list as a retrospective. I leave the “motion vs. action” delineation of the entries to your judgment.

To be sure, 2025 was a challenging year for universities, and S&T was no exception. The shift in national policies affected our enrollment, research and hiring strategies. There were significant disruptions in research funding, in international student enrollment and in recruitment of faculty, research scientists and postdoctoral fellows. Fortunately, we were able to manage our affairs, perhaps better than most, and nonetheless, achieved significant milestones in pursuit of our goals. 

In way of highlighting the work of “team S&T,” and in recognizing the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff, I reference, for your consideration, our 2025 highlights. These include, achieving R1 status, recruiting key faculty members and administrators including our new provost, foundational work and funding to establish the Jaggi School of Business, our students securing the Mars rover world championship, achieving significant construction milestones, offering major new academic programs, stellar national recognitions, achieving Purple Heart University status, receiving campus safety awards, performing broad-based community service and support, achieving disproportionate levels of scientific faculty recognition, and integrating AI in our academic programs and operations, just to highlight a few.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the work of our team here at S&T as well as the support and guidance of our trustees, curators, academies, various boards and oversight committees. Without their support ours would have been an impossible mission.

So, to all our dedicated students, distinguished faculty and dear friends, I say, regardless of your place in the support infrastructure or oversight superstructure, you have ensured that our broader shared interests surpassed individual self-interest. And for that I am grateful. And when I think about the work ahead in 2026, the progression of everyone here at S&T – our students, faculty, and staff – and their growth, advancement, and well-being, I know that we can continue to count on your guidance and support to further our agendas. And for that I am grateful. 

Happy 2026 to all, and with best wishes for a healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2026.

-Mo.

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

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