10 Things I’m Hearing, Learning, and Loving About Rollins

Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of learning from so many of you about the things that make Rollins such a special part of your lives. Your stories have deepened my understanding of what makes Rollins extraordinary, and your aspirations for your alma mater are helping power a vision for an even brighter future. As I continue on my Every Voice, One Vision listening tour, I wanted to share a few of the many things that I’m hearing, learning, and loving along the way.

1 You Are What Makes Rollins Great.

The very first thing I learned about Rollins? This place is powered by people. You are the secret sauce that makes Rollins exceptional. That lesson has been reaffirmed over and over as I meet more students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College. It has been reinforced by the stories you’ve shared with me, and I’ve seen it over and over with my own eyes as I discover new elements of the Rollins experience.

“Rollins is an incredible place because of its people. In fact, when I despair about the current state of the world, I take some comfort knowing that there is a place like Rollins shining a light in the darkness.”
— Annamarie Bryant ’16, who earlier this year completed a PhD in chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame

2 The Enduring Wisdom of Mister Rogers

I have long admired Fred Rogers ’51 ’74H. In fact, years before Rollins was on my radar, I used to hand out Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood-themed note cards that carried the message, “You are special.” So it has been heartwarming to find Fred’s ethos of kindness and care embedded so deeply across this campus and community. I’ve witnessed the same commitment and attention that Fred had for all learners everywhere from our classrooms and labs to our residence halls and playing fields.

3 Your Love for Rollins Runs Deep.

I’ve already come across so many stories that demonstrate your uncommon connection and commitment to the College.

CAREER-LONG COMMITMENT
One of my first-year goals is to meet with every department on campus. Along the way, I’ve met dozens of faculty and staff who have dedicated their careers to Rollins—people like Annette Brown and Jackie White, who joined the College’s exceptional housekeeping staff on the same day nearly three decades ago.

TIES THAT SPAN GENERATIONS
I love meeting students who have chosen to attend their parents’ alma mater because it speaks volumes about the enduring impact of Rollins’ transformative education. That’s why I was blown away to meet siblings Sydney ’26, Kalila ’26, and Trey ’29 Eckstein, each of whom has chosen to come to Rollins from their home in Bali, Indonesia, following in the footsteps of their father, Greg Eckstein ’89.

THE EDUCATED CHOICE
Another indicator of the College’s quality and value is the number of current Rollins students whose parents work in higher education—students like Kalen Roberts ’26, a biochemistry and molecular biology major whose mother, Chanta M. Haywood, is provost and vice president of academic affairs at Coppin State University.

4 Our Uncommon Commitment to Service

It was fitting that SPARC Day was the first Rollins tradition that Tom and I were able to experience. I just love the idea that for two decades now one of the first things our students do when they get to Rollins is go out into the community and serve. It’s indicative of the College’s commitment to service, which is so tightly knitted into the fabric of the institution and the student experience. We were so inspired by our first SPARC Day that we organized a President’s Day of Service at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in October.

“My experiences as a Rollins alum, professor, and parent have shaped my identity, allowed me to enjoy the immense benefits of our supportive community, and given me the opportunity to give back to it as well.”
— Studio art professor Rachel Simmons ’97 P’25, who has taught at Rollins for 25 years and whose daughter, Parker Boyette ’25, graduated this spring

5 Every Student Has a Constellation of Mentors Guiding Them.

From faculty and staff to peer and alumni mentors, I have been so impressed with the network of support that Rollins provides every student. I was so inspired by the community’s level of care and commitment that I decided to start a new tradition at Convocation. At this year’s ceremony, we gave every new student a compass pin to serve as a reminder that if they ever feel like they’ve lost their direction on their journey through Rollins that there’s an entire community of guides ready to help them correct course and get back on track.

6 We’re Helping Students Build Essential Experience.

We know from research that students are significantly more successful in college and beyond when they take the knowledge and skills they are developing in the classroom and apply them through experiences like internships, research, study abroad, and community service.

INTERNSHIPS
Internship experience is not only important preparation for success in the workplace, but it is also prioritized by employers when considering candidates. So I loved learning about how so many of our students spent their summers developing career-defining experience—students like Alex Koussev ’26, a business and economics double major, who worked as a business planning and performance management intern at Royal Caribbean.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COURSES
A majority of employers say they are much more likely to hire a candidate if they have completed a community-based project, so it was incredible to learn that during the 2024-25 academic year, more than 700 students enrolled in nearly 60 classes that included service learning or a community-based research project.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
I love Rollins’ Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program, which gives our students the opportunity to partner with faculty on original research and develop a competitive advantage along the way. Students like Makenna Gary ’26 exemplify its impact—her research experience at Rollins helped her earn a coveted spot in the Rachel Carson Council’s National Environmental Leadership Fellows program.

STUDY ABROAD
We know studying abroad yields myriad benefits, from improved academic performance and higher graduation rates to better career outcomes. I’ve been amazed by the breadth and quality of the programs curated by our Office of International Programs, so it’s little wonder that Rollins ranks No. 5 among master’s-granting institutions in the nation for the percentage of students who study abroad.

7 Our Donors Have Made Gifts with Lasting Impact.

I can think of no better gift than the creation of an endowed scholarship or program that creates opportunities for our students in perpetuity. So I’ve loved discovering programs like Gateway Fellows, a funded internship program that helps our students gain the kind of experience that employers demand, and Women in Finance, which helps open doors to the financial services industry through one-on-one advising, internships, alumni networking, and more.

“Rollins has felt like home ever since I first visited campus at age 10. The academics challenged my way of thinking and broadened my horizons. I was able to explore the world through international programs, and I made lifelong friends. I even met my now wife in the campus center during my first year.”
— Patrick Smith ’15, who returned to Rollins as safety and emergency planning manager following a 10-year active-duty career in the Navy

8 You Really Know How to Make Folks Feel Welcomed.

Tom and I are so thankful for the way this community has embraced us with open arms. Staff members worked so diligently to make Barker House feel like home. Faculty, staff, and students have helped us navigate campus and its many programs and assets. And alumni have welcomed us in cities across the country, with more to come this spring. You all have represented so well the culture of care and support that defines the Rollins experience. We will be forever grateful, and we can’t wait to return the favor. By the end of the year, we will have had the privilege of hosting nearly 1,000 people at Barker House, and we’re looking forward to welcoming every member of our community with the same warmth that you’ve shown us.

9 The Rollins Network Is Strong.

I’ve traveled to nine states over the past few months as I’ve taken my listening tour on the road, and I’ve been blown away by the strength of the Rollins network. I’ve cherished the opportunity to meet hundreds of loyal alumni and donors at formal gatherings, and it has been just as much fun to interact with passionate Rollins supporters through chance encounters on my travels. Whenever I’m traveling, I’m always decked out in Rollins gear and I always have a Rollins yellow suitcase in tow—a combination that has served its purpose as a catalyst for impromptu connections with Tars near and far. So if you ever see me in an airport or we happen to be on the same flight, please don’t hesitate to say hello.

10 Our Students Are Learning from the Very Best.

Exceptional teachers are the foundation of an exceptional education, and at Rollins, our students are learning from a world-class faculty. These teachers, scholars, and mentors are top in their fields, and our faculty’s vast collection of knowledge and experience is even more powerful when combined with their unparalleled commitment to the success of every Rollins student. Through discussion-based classes, one-on-one academic and career advising, and field studies halfway around the world, our faculty connect students to ideas, experiences, and opportunities, guiding them toward purpose-driven lives and productive careers.