Welcome, Students!

Dear Students,

It’s my favorite time of the year: back to school! I love welcoming to campus those of you who are just starting your Lewis & Clark journey and seeing the familiar faces of those of you who are returning. It’s a new academic year, a new start, but a familiar feeling of care, collaboration, and home.

For all students, new or returning: You will receive this newsletter, The Bark, every week via email. Please read it! The Bark is a vital source of information about events, opportunities, and general news about student life at L&C. If you do nothing else, go straight to the Opening Remarks and The Scoop, which is where we highlight the most important things for you to know about that week. I promise you that those few minutes will be time well spent.

Here are three things I particularly want you to be aware of as the year gets underway:

1. The values that guide our work. Our Division of Student Life values are Centering Student Development; Curiosity; Community and Connections; and Collaboration. These aren’t just words on a page. The student life team incorporates these values in our day-to-day work with each other and with you, as we make decisions, and plan events and programs. Ask us about our values, and share yours!
2. Dialogue in Action. Our president, Dr. Robin Holmes-Sullivan, wants healthy, constructive dialogue to be a core part of our identity as an institution, a goal that aligns perfectly with our student life values. To experience what this looks like in action, I encourage you to visit our events calendar and click on the box next to Dialogue in Action on the right-hand side of the page. This will filter for all events that center the type of discussion and engagement that is a hallmark of an L&C education. Check out one of those events, and as you go through your day remember to be curious and ask questions when you feel challenged or unsure.
3. Peer Collective Leadership. Whether you are a new or returning student, it’s not too early to think about developing your leadership skills for success. Our Peer Collective Leadership program is a great way to do just that with a focus on Leadership, Wellness, Service and Social Change. You will hear more about how to participate in the coming weeks so look out for more information from Student Engagement, ask us, or check back on the website on an ongoing basis.

This is a place where you can thrive. The student life team is here to support you, as are your professors, peers, and staff throughout the institution. Get involved, and come to my campus office hours too that I hold regularly throughout the semester, Tuesdays at 3:30 pm in the Trail Room. It’s going to be a great year.

Evette Castillo Clark, EdD

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students