"When we strive to be better than we are, everything around us gets better too."

~ Paulo Coelho

One of my favorite books of all time is The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. It's a story of finding one's destiny and personal legend. As an audiophile, I of course have the audio book, expertly narrated by Jeremy Irons. I listen to it at least once every two months or so. As I think about PSC, and the individuals who make up our community, I am reminded of how those who seek out our institution are on their own journey to uncover their personal legends/destiny. We too, as employees, are living and/or seeking our own personal legends. As I shared coffee with our newly appointed Dean of Learning Resources and Assessment Bill Condon, we agreed that we have some of the most rewarding jobs on the planet. I am in awe of how rewarding this work is, and also humbled by its difficulty.

As we brace for a return to another fall semester, the closest to "normal" we have seen since 2019, I want to remind you of the opportunities that lie ahead. Opportunities to rethink how we show up each and every day; redefine how we engage with one another; revisit our long held practices and pedagogies; and ultimately reimagine what PSC will be for generations to come! I am excited by that, and I hope you are too. On Monday morning, when we come to greet the many new and returning students, let's commit to show up striving to be better than we were, and better than we are. The quote above should remind us that enthusiasm and excellence are infectious; honing and improving our practices, services, and teaching makes everything better. The beneficiaries of our individual quests to be and do better are our students and the community we so love. I believe in us as an institution of higher learning, and I believe that it is in our very nature to seek self-improvement and to passionately serve those who seek us out. I also believe in you as individual change makers and agents of possibility. I have rarely been more excited to start a new school year, and I am so thankful to do so with the faculty, staff, managers, administrators, Board, and partners of Prairie State College!

Have a great weekend, and let's show up Monday striving to be better than we've ever been before!

#WeArePSC