Welcome back!
I love the start of a new academic year at Lane. There is a different energy when our campuses and locations begin to fill again and we prepare to welcome students into our classrooms, programs and services. It is also a good time to reconnect with one another and with why we are here.
This year, I want our Fall In-Service to help us do that in a slightly different way.
We have heard from many of you that you want more clarity about the work in front of us. At the same time, we are beginning the process of developing Lane's next strategic plan. These conversations belong together, and I want employees to have opportunities to understand the work and participate in it.
I hope you will join us Wednesday, September 23, for Fall In-Service and our theme, Many Voices, One Lane. Together.
We will start the morning by hearing from people outside the college. Our community panel, Partners in Purpose: Community Voices on LCC's Impact, will bring several community leaders to Lane to talk about the intersections between their work and ours, and where they see opportunities for us to make a difference.
Following the panel, you can choose from breakout conversations led by members of college leadership. Topics include Lane's financial future, accreditation, employee engagement, the Community Vibrancy Initiative and our strategic planning process. The intent is simple: create space to learn more, ask questions and take part in conversations that will continue throughout the year.
That includes strategic planning. We are at the beginning of that process, and there will be many ways for employees to contribute. What we develop should be informed by the people who know Lane, work with our students and understand the communities we serve.
After lunch, we will hear directly from students about their experience at Lane. The LCC Foundation will also introduce A Lasting, Local Lane, its new funding campaign. This is an exciting effort to build greater community investment in our students and the work happening across the college.
Most of all, I hope the day gives us time together. We have important work ahead, and I want us to begin the academic year with a shared understanding of that work and plenty of room for your voice in it.
Thank you for everything you do for our students and for Lane. I am excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to seeing you on September 23!
Stephanie