The Provost Post: September 2024

By the time you receive this newsletter, we will have been back on campus for nearly a month. From my experience there’s nothing more exciting than to feel the energy as we all get into the swing of a new academic year. This time of year, I’m also reminded of what a privilege it has been to be your provost for a year and four months.

As you may recall, most of my messages to the campus last year read like travelogues, telling you what I’d seen and done, the places I’d visited, the interesting people I met, the activities I attended, and the athletic events I cheered at. It was my first year and I wanted to share my excitement about being a Vaquero. And what a first year it was! There was a lot to learn, and people to meet — matching faces and names —and remembering who I met before. It was an invigorating year, filled with so many new things, and you can no doubt tell I quickly fell in love with the Rio Grande Valley.

This year, I’m shifting gears to spotlight the heart and soul of our university community — our remarkable faculty, staff, students, and the buzz of general news. From the rich cultural tapestry of the Rio Grande Valley to the stunning natural beauty that surrounds our distributed campuses, these messages will be diving into the stories that make our university truly unique. Buckle up and get ready for a new adventure through the people and moments that make us shine!

Dr. Luis H. Zayas

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs