Sent to: Michigan Engineering faculty, staff and students on March 11, 2025
Dear colleagues:
Over the past seven weeks, we’ve faced rapid changes and levels of uncertainty due to new executive orders coming from the federal government. This isn’t a comfortable space to be in, but I do know this: engineers are built to solve problems.
The College’s leadership team and I have appreciated your flexibility and resilience as we work to understand the short and long-term impacts of new federal guidance, and to plan accordingly. You can find the latest guidance related to executive orders coming from the federal government on the University’s Key Issues page on federal orders. In the meantime, our values of creating an environment where our students, faculty, and staff feel connected, supported, and valued has not changed. We strive to provide stability for our community while continuing to support excellence in research, education, and service.
We’re also making space to think strategically, with hundreds from our community providing feedback via the College’s recent strategic planning survey, and more than 20 focus groups taking place through the end of this month. I’m eager to see the themes from your feedback, which will inform the development of our plan.
It’s also important to continue to celebrate success. This Friday, I am excited to recognize the accomplishments of our faculty colleagues at the Faculty Honors Dinner Dance, and on Sunday we’ll be recognizing students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and service with the Student Leaders and Honors Awards. Our Staff Excellence awards take place in May, which will be another opportunity to celebrate.
I applaud our honorees, and wish you ALL success as we wrap up our winter term.
Go Blue!
Karen A. Thole, Ph.D.
Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering