Letter to Staff – July 14, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

It is a tremendous honor to begin my work as the University of Michigan’s 14th president.

Since being appointed by the Board of Regents in January, I have had the opportunity to see much of the Ann Arbor campus and meet many people all across the institution. The impact of U-M’s staff is evident in the beauty and function of the campus, in the efficiency of operations, and in the collective expertise I sense whenever I interact with staff.

There is a deep sense of pride here, and one of my most important responsibilities as president will be to work with you to strengthen and elevate that feeling. We cannot continue to be a great university without your many contributions to our mission.

In the upcoming year I plan to visit all of our schools and colleges, as well as our campuses in Dearborn and Flint. I look forward to meeting many of you and working together in the years ahead on behalf of the public good.

My motivation as an academic leader is rooted in the belief that understanding and discovery can change the world and that education is the key to achieving social equity and economic progress. I am thrilled to join you in this pursuit.

Sincerely,

Mark Schlissel
President