With a glance toward recent accomplishments and a keen eye focused on the future, Stan State President Ellen Junn spoke of how collaboration will further the University’s journey toward becoming a destination campus in the CSU system.
That was a primary message of her annual Fall Welcome Address, which she offered Monday morning to a large and appreciative gathering inside Snider Recital Hall.
“The fall semester brings a fresh start for some, and truly an opportunity for all who are interested in bringing renewed energy, ideas and collaborative efforts to continuing the remarkable trajectory and transformation of our beloved Stanislaus State,” Junn said.
The event marked Junn’s third Fall Welcome Address since becoming Stan State’s 11th president in 2015, and she highlighted several key moments of her second full year — including the development and endorsement of the University Strategic Plan.
She emphasized that the adoption of the plan, which provides the campus with a living, breathing blueprint for progress through 2025, is only the beginning.
“The exciting next step for each of us is to fully engage and work together to do new things to transform the campus in stimulating and productive ways,” Junn said. “It takes courage to come up with and share transformative ideas. But it’s the willingness to share, and the courage to develop innovations that will allow our University to grow with our region.”
A major part of the plan includes a concentrated focus on moving Stan State into the regional spotlight, she said. Not only will that help to make the University a destination for talented students, but by raising the campus profile, the value of a Stan State degree also is increased.
“We’ve certainly already taken many, many steps toward our goal of envisioning Stan State as a University of choice, of distinction and of high regional visibility,” Junn said.
She listed some of those accomplishments, including the progress made toward reaching the goals of Graduation Initiative 2025, the national accolades Stan State continues to receive, the University’s renewed commitment to technology, our Stockton Center partnership with San Joaquin Delta College, the launch of the campus Diversity Center and the efforts made by the campus toward meeting next year’s accreditation requirements.
“It is very important to note that these gains don’t just happen out of thin air,” Junn said. “It takes focused leadership and engaged, collaborative teamwork to move the needle. Some of these gains are larger than others, but all reflect how faculty, staff and administration are engaging to enhance and propel forward the University and the region we serve.”