As we quickly become absorbed in the fall semester, I want to extend a warm welcome to you all – whether you’re arriving on the Forty Acres for the first time or returning for another academic year. I joined the University of Texas at Austin just a little over two weeks ago, and in that brief time, I’ve been struck by the energy, character, and sense of possibility that define this community.
My career path has led me through a variety of roles at institutions including the University of Colorado Boulder, Indiana University, and the San Diego Supercomputer Center (UCSD), where I built expertise in digital preservation, new models of scholarly communication, and library leadership and management all with an eye toward the future of higher education. I am honored to bring that experience to this exceptional university.
In these early days, I’ve been getting to know campus life, meeting colleagues, exploring libraries, and discussing ways to support your work. With new leadership taking on key positions, it’s a period of renewal, and I am grateful to be involved.
The University of Texas Libraries are central to this momentum. More than collections and spaces, our libraries are places where ideas are tested and forged, collaborations are formed, and knowledge is shared. This fall, we have been proud to be part of welcome events across the campus, and we want to welcome and help connect all students both with our unbelievable content as well as with each other. It is the strength of our community that enables our success.
As I continue to settle in to both the campus and the Austin community, I look forward to meeting many of you in our libraries, at events, or simply as we cross paths on campus. Please don’t hesitate to stop and say hello. Together with our dedicated library staff, I am committed to ensuring the Libraries remain a vital partner in your academic, professional, and personal journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity to join you at this exciting moment for UT, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
