Starting a new year and a new journey together

Dear students,

This is my first letter to students as your new chancellor. I write to introduce myself, to offer some observations from my first few weeks on the job, and to share my excitement for the journey we are starting together.

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I am a professor of political science, and I joined the MIT community in 1995. I’ve served as the head of the Political Science Department, and, most recently, as the dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS). I see my new role as chancellor as an opportunity to not only enhance student life but to expand the meaning of an MIT education. We want students to know that, at MIT, you shouldn’t hide your interests.

We want you to be your whole selves. As educators, it’s our job to teach the “whole student,” and to assist you in becoming the people you want to be: successful students who explore varied interests, and engage with your community, both near and far.

Our priorities

By listening to and learning from you, we can come up with a common set of priorities. Based on my recent conversations with student leaders, there’s already a lot of agreement about where we need make progress. Here are just a few examples:

• Continue to successfully steer MIT through the pandemic, recognizing that Covid-19 policies must be developed and implemented with student input.
• Continue our ongoing work to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct and to advance the DEI Strategic Action Plan. We want to create welcoming, respectful environments and to hold ourselves accountable for our goals related to promoting diversity, strengthening belonging, and ensuring equity across the Institute.
• Deliver on the promising ideas captured in the Task Force 2021 and Beyond effort, especially those related to enhancing and expanding student gathering spaces; strengthening our advising, mentoring, and professional development programs; and making the curriculum more relevant to today’s students.
• Focus on student wellbeing by coordinating programs, expanding resources and education, and improving the academic environment so that you can prioritize your mental and physical health, develop healthy relationships, and discover a sense of purpose. As I said, we want to provide you with the education, support, and pathways you need to be your whole selves.

Please share your ideas!

These initiatives are just a start. You can help refine them by sharing what matters to you. Please consider reaching out to your elected student leaders (the Undergraduate Association and Graduate Student Council are great places to start); opting into the Division of Student Life’s Student Life Conversations sessions; or contacting me directly. Candid, sustained dialogue will build trust and a better understanding of one another, and it will help us move the priorities we care about forward.

I am eager for the possibilities and lessons the new academic year has in store, and I wish you the best on the road ahead. It’s wonderful to be on this journey with all of you.

Sincerely,
Melissa Nobles