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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 to 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 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 year’s end, 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.

2. Our community’s 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 to 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, and I’m already looking forward to my next opportunity to serve alongside our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

3. We’re helping students build essential experience.

We know from research that when students apply what they are learning in new contexts they are significantly more successful in college and beyond. That’s why it has been so heartening to see Rollins students taking advantage of opportunities to put their ideas to work in the world.

Collaborative Research I love Rollins’ Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program, which empowers students to partner with faculty on original research and develop a competitive advantage along the way. Students like Makenna Gary ’26 exemplify its impact—her recent research experience at Rollins helped her earn a coveted place 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 so impressed by the breadth and quality of the programs curated by our Office of International Programs. It’s little wonder that Rollins now ranks No. 5 in the nation among master’s-granting institutions for the percentage of students who study abroad.

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 consider a candidate if they have completed a community-based project, so it was amazing 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.

Add Your Voice to Our Shared Vision

My favorite part of Every Voice, One Vision has been hearing all of your stories. I’ve heard stories of perseverance, passion, and purpose—stories that illustrate what makes Rollins extraordinary. Thank you so much for sharing. This month, I’d love to learn more about why you chose Rollins and what kept you here on America’s most beautiful campus.