It’s official: the Fall 2022 semester is here! For the past two weeks I’ve had the opportunity to welcome a new class of students to the GW community through move-in and orientation with the help of all those who served as volunteers, peer guides, and orientation leaders. I am in awe of the many ways you, our students, show up for one another and, during this time of new beginnings, it matters more than ever.

Speaking of transitions, over the summer I started my new role as your Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Much like you are adjusting to new class schedules and professors, I’m also excited and eager to learn new things, meet new people, and connect with you all in the weeks and months to come. I hope you will stop and say “hi” if you see me in the Student Center or walking around our campuses or on the Vex. And I especially hope that you’ll stop by a Chat with the Dean event throughout the year to let me know how things are going.

There’s so much to look forward to at the start of a new year, and I thought I would wrap up my first note to you all with the five things I’m most looking forward to during Weeks of Welcome:

1. Sipping coffee at Buff & Brew on the Mount Vernon Campus
2. Shabbat dinner at Hillel
3. Walking through an Org Fair Friday and meeting your student organizations 
4. Stopping by the MSSC Block Party
5. Chat with the Dean on September 16 from 12-2 pm in the Student Center

As I mentioned last week in a New Student Orientation event, one of my goals as your Vice Provost and Dean of Students is to build pride of place in GW. That starts with showing up to events and showing up for each other. I promise to do both. I hope you will join me in that promise.

Raise High!

Colette Coleman

Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Dean of Students