Dear DSA,

I hope you all had a chance to rest and catch your breath during the holiday break. And now we begin again.

We enter this new year and semester, with the COVID-19 vaccine being distributed around the world giving us reason to hope that a return to normal operations may be near. UNT is working diligently with the state to be approved to administer vaccines. We do not yet know when or how many vaccines we might get for our campus. We also enter this new season with the shameful and violent events at our nation's capital so fresh on our minds. Please continue to check on each other and our students — particularly, because this new incident adds to the already heavy burden our students and staff of color are feeling.  Employees can utilize the Employee Assistance Program and our Counseling Services staff are here to help our students with any crisis or struggles they are facing.

There is no doubt this pandemic will continue to throw challenges our way as we work to provide students with the meaningful experiences they want, need, and deserve. What continues to bring me comfort, inspiration and gratitude is how our division pulled together this past year to face unprecedented challenges head-on. I know that hard work, creativity, and perseverance will continue.

Here is to a brighter and better year for us all.

Take care,

Elizabeth With Ed.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs