This holiday season marks a time of change and transition on both personal and national levels. While uncertainty is sometimes a concomitant of change, it is the resilience and unity of our collective community spirit that keeps us strong. As we close another challenging year, it is more important than ever to celebrate the remarkable work that powers our nation’s community colleges.
America’s community colleges are special places. Throughout the year we open a door to opportunity for many who have grown accustomed to doors remaining closed. Since we work hard all year long to sustain this mission, we deserve a time out of sorts to celebrate the difference we make for so many. So, I extend a collective thank you to the hundreds of thousands of community college professionals: faculty, staff, administrators who keep this dream alive for so many. It is this team of dedicated people who enrich the vibrancy of our mission and the communities we serve.
I encourage all of us to use this holiday season as a well-deserved time of renewal, reflection and optimism that we all deserve. As a measure of goodwill, I am enclosing CCBC’s holiday greeting card which shares a special message this year, one that shows how we are all a part of a caring network that uplifts and supports one another.
There are hundreds of thousands of us engaged in the noble work of lifting the prospects of community college students all across America. Our differences add a richness to our everyday lives while coalescing into the fine institutions that we are and the vital resources we have become. Our work is hard but rewarding. We deserve the brief respite the upcoming holiday affords. I wish everyone a season filled with peace, hope and happiness.
Happy holidays!