Dear new and continuing students in the School of Social Sciences,
Welcome to Fall 2020! As the new dean of the School of Social Sciences, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a successful and enriching semester. To our new students, I am thrilled that you have chosen the School of Social Sciences as your academic home. You are embarking on a new adventure in unsettling times and I admire your courage. To our returning students, I am so pleased to see you back and am proud of your perseverance in the face of adversity. You are a strong, resilient group of dedicated students whose futures are bright. Your commitment to your education is a testament to your strength.
All of us wish we could be starting this academic year on our beautiful campus, and I understand how disappointing it is to be starting the year off remotely. It is equally disappointing for the faculty and staff of Sonoma State. That said, your professors have worked tirelessly all summer to prepare engaging and exciting remote learning experiences for you. As we well know, remote learning is not without its challenges—faulty internet and issues with technology can be incredibly frustrating. Together we will work through the glitches that will inevitably surface and continue to strive to be our best. Patience and kindness with one another will go a long way toward finding collaborative solutions to anything that is thrown in our path. By working together, we will emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever.
As I settle into my new position, I want to get to know you and I want to establish a collaborative relationship that is grounded in a shared set of values. There is a direct correlation between the strength of the School and the strength of our community. In the next couple of weeks, I will be reaching out to your ASI rep to plan a student forum so that you can share ideas, ask questions, and tell me what’s on your mind. I look forward to working together to make your experience at Sonoma State and in the School of Social Sciences a rewarding and worthwhile one.
I hope you all have a wonderful semester.
Take good care and stay well.
Best,
Troi
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Troi Carleton, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Social Sciences
Sonoma State University