“I wish I could meet more people in person,” he said. “I’m looking forward to when it is safe to do so again. At the same time, it has been remarkable to take advantage of this technology to connect with alums and donors all over the country.” The pandemic has not stopped him from building a sense of community, though. He has started a weekly email called Campus Connections that is sent to students, faculty, staff, family members, and alumni on Mondays; a blog called Presidential Ponderings to explore the issues of our time; and a podcast he cohosts with the Director of Alumni Relations to discuss education and academia, religion and faith, healthcare, and social issues. To mark his 100 days in office, he hosted a series of conversations with students, faculty, staff, and alumni via Zoom called “100 Days – A Look Back and Our Way Forward.” After brief discussions about Rosemont’s reopening plans during the session, he turned his attention to the future. “We have to talk about COVID-19,” he said. “But I also want to look forward beyond the pandemic to where Rosemont is going.” To help chart this path for the future, he is busy developing his leadership team. In September, he announced the appointments of three new vice presidents: Yoli Alovor, PhD; Mika Nash, EdD; and Marty Mehringer. Dr. Alovor took office on October 1 as the College’s first Chief of Staff and Vice President of Diversity and Belonging. He said that the decision to create the new position was informed by the conversations he had with students, faculty, staff, and alumni during his first 100 days in office, and was determined by his own analysis of what changes will drive success at the College. “The College’s Board of Trustees elected me as President with the full knowledge and understanding I would build on the efforts of the College’s past Presidents and leadership, but that my work would include changing the ways in which Rosemont operates as an organization, investing in its talent and infrastructure, and enhancing its culture. The Board acknowledged in hiring me that enrollment growth and financial stability depend on these changes.” Dr. Nash, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student
Affairs, and Mr. Mehringer, Vice President of Finance and Administration, also took office on October 1. “I acknowledge that my decision to bring Mr. Mehringer and Dr. Nash to Rosemont without search processes may be viewed by some as unconventional, and that some of you may question my making this change in senior leadership so soon after my own appointment on June 1. In their selection of me as President, the Board of Trustees chose a leader with a fervent commitment to this institution’s values, and the willingness to take the action required to ensure that its mission will live on. The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, quite the opposite is true. There is no doubt in my mind that there is promise and possibility at Rosemont College. But, to realize it, we need to be bold.” In addition, President Boyers has named two new members to the Board of Trustees: Ian Mortimer and Megan Sullivan ’93. He has also made campus facilities and enhancements a priority during his first few months. “Curb appeal is important to me,” he said. “We all know Rosemont is a special place, but I also want to make our campus more inviting to our students, their guests, and prospective students and families.” He secured a pro bono arrangement with MKC Architects of Ohio to conduct a campus Master Plan. In between Zoom appointments, his favorite part of the day is when he can wander. “I love to walk this beautiful campus,” he said. “I want to keep a pulse on what’s going on and be able to talk with our students, faculty, and staff – all masked up and safely from a distance, of course. I look forward to all that is to come.”
What is Two Terms, One Focus? In Two Terms, One Focus, the semester is divided into two seven-week terms. All courses are “hybrid,” which means they have an online component, including classes taught on campus. This has allowed faculty to combine in-classroom instruction with the state-of-the-art online platform, Canvas, and ensure the best educational experience possible. Contact hour requirements are fulfilled through online delivery and assignments. The spring semester for the Undergraduate College will continue the Two Terms, One Focus format. However, in response to feedback from students and faculty members, select courses will be taught in a 14-week format for the spring semester. “Faculty have been remarkable in stepping up to the plate and preparing themselves to serve our students,” said Mika Nash, EdD, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. Courses in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies will continue to be delivered online for the spring semester. Fall 2021 will return to a 14-week semester for undergraduate college students.
Campus Enhancements During President Boyers’ First Six Months ● Newly paved roads throughout campus ● Relocation of the Wellness Center from the Chapel to newly renovated space in Alumnae Hall
Every Monday, read President Boyers’ Campus Connections to keep up to date with Rosemont.
● New furniture in classrooms and residence halls ● Updated mechanical equipment in the Science Building ● Painting throughout campus buildings ● Installation of a temporary tent on Connelly Green to create an outdoor gathering place for our community
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