MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dr. Carol A. Moore, who joined Guilford College as President Aug. 1, 2020, has a distinguished, 40-year career as an educator. A New Jersey native, Carol holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Montclair State University, and a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University. Her first teaching job was ninth-grade General Science, and in higher education she moved through the ranks of faculty member, Assistant Dean, Academic Dean and Provost to serve as President of three colleges before coming to Guilford.

Friends,

I was drawn to work at Guilford College because of its bold and assertive mission to transform students’ lives and also because your Core Values, including community, integrity and diversity, are a fit with my own values. Based on my experience working with other institutions that were facing financial challenges, I was pleased to accept your trustees’ offer to lead a process that will help Guilford position itself for a successful future.

Your board gave me a charge to address the College’s structural deficit and to review programs across campus to determine their viability and costeffectiveness. I am expected to hand over to the next President a balanced budget with a surplus and a set of program offerings that meet student needs and interests today. This means change, and change is hard. Also, it means difficult decisions will have to be made that will impact people and programs. In a period of about five months, through a highly collaborative process, we will accomplish this together.

Guilford last reviewed its academic programs in 2005, but every healthy college should undertake this process regularly. Generation Z students (born before 2012) have different academic and career interests, and the number of traditional college-age students is shrinking and will continue to decline. It is clear that Guilford must seize this opportunity to carve out a clear path for the future. The College community began that work with The Guilford Edge, the new curriculum and calendar. It will take discipline to succeed, as full resolution of the College’s challenges could take up to five years.

One of my earliest observations about Guilford — in addition to the beautiful, well-maintained campus and the mission and Core Values that impressed me — was the number of people I met who are really committed to the College and are working very hard to ensure its future. In the past year they, and other current and former colleagues, have endured difficulties to be certain. However, these dedicated faculty and staff put students first every day and are very invested in the work that is to be done in order for the College to overcome current challenges and thrive.

Alumni, parents and friends are vital partners with Guilford in achieving its goals. Obviously, through philanthropy, that’s one clear way you can help. Regular gifts to the Annual Fund, funding student scholarships and building the endowment are critical for the College. Being engaged in the life of the College is very important. Students really like to see alums, to talk to them, to hear about their journey at the College and their journey in life. We have perfect opportunities for you to engage with students through our Volunteer Program, and I invite you to submit your application today at giving.guilford.edu.

Also, in your communities, it’s important for alumni, parents and friends to be speaking well of Guilford College. Share your good experiences with others in your circles of friends and acquaintances so that the word on the street, so to speak, is positive about Guilford and people hear good things that are happening. You are the College’s best ambassadors because you have first-hand Guilford experience, and your support through philanthropy, volunteerism and positive communications is needed now more than ever.

I look forward to completing the work that will set Guilford on a sustainable path, so that generations of future students can experience the same life-changing experience the College has provided since 1837.

Carol A. Moore President