Dear Colleagues,
It is a tremendous honor to begin my work as the University of Michigan’s 14th president and to join you as a faculty member at this great institution.
I was attracted to Michigan for many reasons, none more powerful than the comprehensive excellence of the faculty. The scope and rigor of your scholarship is what sets this university apart and makes it such an important, engaging place to study and explore. Your commitment to teaching and research is held in the highest regard throughout the academy and one of my most important tasks as president will be to help strengthen and elevate that work.
In the upcoming year I plan to visit all of our schools and colleges, as well as our campuses in Dearborn and Flint. I want to hear your thoughts about deepening our impact as a public research university and a place dedicated to scholarship and teaching at all levels. The connections we make between our teaching and research help define U-M’s academic excellence. I want to make the university a place where all faculty believe they can do their best and most important work.
As I said when the Board of Regents appointed me, 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.
I look forward to meeting you and working together in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Mark Schlissel
President
