Aloha Yellow Jackets,
Happy new year!! I want to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning Yellow Jackets. Whether you're stepping onto campus for the first time or continuing your journey with us, Georgia Tech is a place where ideas flourish, perspectives evolve, and voices matter. I am entering my fifth year serving as the inaugural Vice President for Student Engagement & Well-Being. This is my favorite time of the year - when the campus is reenergized as the swarm returns to the hive!
This past summer, I had the opportunity to welcome our incoming students from the Bay Area at an event hosted by our alumni who live and work there. I also relocated my mother, who is 83 years old, to my home. My recent adoptee, a lilac point Siamese kitten, is now a rambunctious 8-month-old ball of fur who is terrorizing home and hearth. Happily, I was able to cull through some of my Netflix queue, and I am anxiously awaiting Season 2 of Untamed as well as the new season of Bridgerton! Lastly, I was able to raise two alts (a hunter and a demon hunter) to max-level 80 in World of Warcraft. #ForTheAlliance
For those new to the Institute, this monthly newsletter is intended to keep you updated throughout the academic year about the people, policies, programs, and places that impact your sense of belonging, well-being, and holistic success. The links we’ve added above will get you directly to the information you likely need most.
In this issue of our monthly newsletter, we will cover the following topics:
- A Community That Values Freedom of Expression
- Introducing Real Talk Thursdays
- Finding Belonging & Community at Georgia Tech
- Campus Safety: Help Do Your Part
- SEWB Is Here for You
A Community That Values Freedom of Expression
One of our core values is the freedom of inquiry and expression. This means that every member of our community has the right to speak, question, and engage—openly and respectfully. The First Amendment guarantees these freedoms, and at Georgia Tech, we see these rights as essential to learning, innovation, and democracy.
But with these rights come responsibilities. Freedom of expression isn’t just about speaking your truth—it’s also about listening actively to others, especially when their views differ from your own. It’s about engaging in dialogue that challenges assumptions and fosters understanding. It’s also about defending the rights of others to express themselves, even when it’s uncomfortable.
If you did not attend FASET this summer, please take a moment to watch this video and learn more about Freedom of Expression at Georgia Tech, including our rights and responsibilities as a community of Yellow Jackets.
This year, I encourage you to:
- Explore viewpoints different from your own and go out of your way to challenge your thinking.
- Demonstrate care and compassion in conversations, even when opinions clash.
- Support one another’s right to speak, regardless of whether you agree with them.
Georgia Tech is committed to creating a campus environment where ideas are exchanged freely and respectfully. We’ve provided resources to help you understand your rights and responsibilities, including policies, procedures, and support services. You can find these at students.gatech.edu/freedom_of_expression.
The University System of Georgia recently mandated that all new students must receive training in civil discourse. We renewed our partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) and are offering their asynchronous, online non-credit course Perspectives to meet this requirement (piloted last year). For new/incoming students (both undergraduate and graduate), this is now a required course. Each new student will receive an email invitation directly from CDI with instructions on how to access the Perspectives program. New undergraduate students should have already received their email earlier this week; graduate students will receive their email right after Labor Day.
New students then have until December 31, 2025, to complete this course. If you are a new student who does not complete the course by that date, a hold will be placed on your account, and you may not be able to register for classes during Spring 2026.
Returning students are also encouraged to participate in this course, although it is not required. This link below will take you to the CDI platform where you can sign up for access to Perspectives. If you are a new or incoming student, please do not use this link; in order to receive credit for course completion, new students should access Perspectives using the email sent from CDI.
Together, let’s make this year one of thoughtful dialogue, courageous conversations, and mutual respect. Your voice matters—and so does how you use it.
Introducing Real Talk Thursdays: Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
One of the most meaningful experiences I had last spring was hosting a series of town halls where I got to hear directly from students —your questions, your concerns, your ideas, and your hopes for Georgia Tech. The feedback about these town halls was overwhelmingly positive, and it was clear that students want more opportunities for open, honest dialogue with campus leadership.
At the request of students and student leaders, SEWB is launching Real Talk Thursdays this fall. These monthly gatherings are designed to keep those conversations going in an open, town-hall style format. We’ll meet on the second Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Ehmer Theater, located in the John Lewis Student Center.
Each session will be a space where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations about topics like belonging, freedom of expression, well-being, and anything else on your mind. All students are welcome, but please RSVP using this link. You can also submit questions in advance via that form. I hope you’ll join me, as well as other Institute leaders. Your voice matters—we want to listen carefully and mindfully.
Finding Belonging & Community at Georgia Tech
Last spring, we launched a new department that is vital to Georgia Tech’s mission —Belonging & Student Support (B&SS). This office, located in Suite 102/102B in the Smithgall Student Services Building, was created with one clear purpose: to support your holistic development and well-being, and to help every student – graduate or undergraduate - at Georgia Tech experience a genuine sense of belonging. It is also a key partner in advancing Big Bet #1 of the Institute’s Strategic Plan: “Be a national leader in outcomes and value for all students.”
B&SS offers co-curricular activities, events, programs, and services for all students —no matter their background, identity, or viewpoint. Belonging should not be confused or conflated with other fields of practice. It is a distinct, well-established area of higher education scholarship and research, with its own foundations and frameworks. It’s about the emotional, spiritual, and social experience of feeling accepted, welcomed, and connected. It’s also about knowing that you matter—not just as a student, but as a human being.
Research has shown that when students report a sense of belonging, they’re more likely to stay, succeed, and graduate. Productivity and engagement both increase. This is true for undergraduate and graduate students. And it’s why B&SS plays such an essential role in helping Georgia Tech fulfill its academic mission and graduate a workforce that reflects our communities – of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, the US, and the world.
Campus Safety: Help Do Your Part
This time of the year is always earmarked by an infusion of thousands of pedestrians and vehicles populating Georgia Tech, oftentimes creating congestion on pathways and roadways. Please help promote campus safety and the welfare of others by being alert and paying attention when traversing campus – this helps avoid preventable accidents and injuries.
Pedestrians should avoid wearing earbuds or looking at cell phones when walking across campus, as well as obey all traffic signals at crosswalks. Bicycles, scooters, and other micromobility vehicles are just that: vehicles. As such, users should avoid sidewalks or pedestrian crosswalks and obey all traffic laws; instead, utilize the newly available cycle tracks that just opened earlier this month. This article from Parking & Transportation provides a helpful overview of safety tips for micromobility users.
SEWB Is Here for You
Student Engagement & Well-Being and the entire Georgia Tech community remain committed to providing resources, referrals, services, and support regarding a wide range of issues that impact students’ lives throughout their time here. Let’s all strive to extend grace and treat one another with compassion and kindness as we start a new Fall semester.
It’s also a time to celebrate our newest members of the Hive! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if SEWB can provide the encouragement or support you need to be successful, to get through the challenging moments, as well as to acknowledge your accomplishments and growth!
Go Jackets!
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Vice President for Student Engagement & Well‐Being