Dear Students,
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff at the Clinton School of Public Service, I would like to welcome you back as we begin the Spring semester! I hope each of you enjoyed a restful winter break and your New Year is off to a wonderful start.
I am honored, privileged, and thrilled to serve as Dean of the Clinton School. The school’s academic mission resonates deeply with me. This opportunity to help you pursue your academic dreams and develop into the next generation of public service leaders is, for me, one of the most exciting parts of this position. Whether you are a first or second-year student, or whether you are enrolled in the MPS program or Clinton School Online, I want the Clinton School to provide you with the highest-quality experience and education.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our ability to gather in large groups. Classes will be moved online for the first two weeks of the semester. If you use the River Market or Arcade areas of campus to study or print, please remember that masks are still required indoors on campus. We will provide you with updates regarding COVID-19 as needed throughout the semester. Please reference the school’s COVID-19 resources page for information on basic rules and precautions, testing, and vaccination options.
The spring semester at the Clinton School will be a busy one, filled with important events, deadlines, and project decisions. Many of you will be researching and confirming International Public Service Projects for the summer, while others will be finalizing Capstone projects. A new cohort of online students will join the school in early March. And, of course, many of you will be completing your academic work and will receive your master’s degrees at May’s Commencement Ceremony. The faculty and staff at the Clinton School will be in communication with you on these items as they apply.
The Center on Community Philanthropy will host its fifth annual Advancing Equity Award Ceremony virtually today at noon. Today is also the National Day of Racial Healing, which we are proud to recognize as an institution. The AEA will be presented to organizations and individuals using innovative solutions to address racial inequalities in their communities. I hope each of you will be able to join the program virtually to learn more about the impactful work that Dr. Charlotte Williams and the Center on Community Philanthropy are doing.
Please check the calendar on the Clinton School website to stay up-to-date on important events like today’s AEA Ceremony. You will also continue to receive event information and reminders by email.
As we continue to build and strengthen the Clinton School community, I am eager to get to know each of you and learn more about your unique public service journeys. Dean Hoffpauir and I will continue “Lunch with the Deans” this semester and I will soon begin a new initiative, “Sunday Suppers with the Dean.” You will be receiving more information about these opportunities, including how to register, in the near future.
My best wishes to each of you! I am looking forward to an exciting semester.
Sincerely,
Victoria M. DeFrancesco Soto, Ph.D.
Dean
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