[This week marks the start of the Fall semester, and my 22nd year at Fitchburg State. So as usual, a semester previews blog series to go with it, leading up to a special post on some of my latest scholarly projects!]
This semester (actually for the entire academic year), along with my regular teaching load and other responsibilities (such as my role as Graduate English Chair), I’ll have a new role at FSU about which I’m extremely excited: I’ll be a Presidential Fellow. One of many initiatives created by our awesome new President Donna Hodge, of whom my wife Vaughn and I are huge fans, the Fellowship program gives faculty and librarians the chance to contribute their ideas and work to efforts happening on and beyond the campus, in ways that I’ll admit I’ve only started to fully imagine (and about which I plan to update y’all in the semester reflections series in December). But to name one example, I’ve worked a good bit in recent years with an FSU student whose family are experiencing the worst of this moment’s immigration policies, and I’m determined to help make FSU an even more welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community for all such individuals and families—and, in whatever ways we can, to advocate as an institution for such American communities and ideals as well. I’m so excited for the chance to be part of such conversations, and will keep y’all posted on the progress and results!
Special post this weekend,
Ben
PS. What’s coming up with y’all?
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