"We cannot discover new worlds without the courage to lose sight of the shore."

~ Bishop Ronald White

This quote was stated by our Board Chairman Dr. White at the conclusion of our February Board meeting. It resonated with me because I think so much about the new world we are trying to discover at Prairie State.

The new world is scary, and uncertain. As I sit in East Peoria with other President's this morning, the world seems to get more scary with every passing day. I have many concerns about how we exist post-pandemic. As I review the latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse, it gives alarming insights into what happened over the last two years with our student enrollment, and illuminates just how much we may need to transform ourselves to be viable for the future.

Now more than ever I am going to ask you to be courageous. The shores that we are leaving, while familiar to us, no longer sustain us. We are not setting sail just because we can, but because we must. I find joy in the midst of fear, because I don't take this journey alone. Instead, I have a crew of talented people at Prairie State right beside me. I am going to also ask you to be compassionate while we seek out new worlds. With me, and with one another; be compassionate. We are still, for the first time, trying to figure out what comes after a 100-year pandemic. Just because it is waning (somewhat), and just because we have lived with it for almost three years, this is all still new. I appreciate you in advance for taking this journey with me, and doing so with care and compassion for one another.

Use Spring Break to reflect and relax, and to "get your mind right" for the work ahead. Stay safe, and see you all soon!