I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and service this academic year.

We continue to move forward with our Building a Stronger Roosevelt initiative to ensure a positive financial position for the University over the next few years and to eliminate deficit spending. With this plan, we will be a more effective University that is better able to respond to the rapidly changing environment of higher education.

In fiscal year 2019, we will continue to focus on growing our net tuition revenue, reducing operating expenses and seeking options to reduce our debt obligations, with a goal of having a balanced budget by FY2020. At the time of writing, our initial enrollment projections for fall 2018 show continued growth in new transfer students, while the new freshman class mirrors last year’s cohort.

As you may recall, last December an evaluation team from the Higher Learning Commission visited the University to review progress made on two findings from the 2015 Reaffirmation of Accreditation. What we officially know is that Roosevelt has now fully met the core component for accreditation on board governance and training and transparency, communication and shared governance. However, we need to continue to reduce our debt and improve enrollment. You can review these findings in the Focused Visit Report.

I am pleased to announce that the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security has designated Roosevelt University a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through academic year 2023. This is testament to the faculty in the department of Computer Science and Information Technology, and notably Eric Berkowitz, who managed every detail of this complex application process. Roosevelt’s participation in the CAE-CDE program means that we will contribute to the future protection of the National Information Infrastructure through the education of our students.

The Auditorium Theatre had a successful 2017–18 season that featured many notable performers and speakers, including Chance the Rapper, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah. The theatre commemorated the 50th anniversary of its grand re-opening with A Golden Celebration of Dance, curated by Auditorium Theatre CEO Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, who was named a Chicagoan of the Year in Dance by the Chicago Tribune in 2017. On June 21, the theatre hosts President Bill Clinton, and the theatre’s 2018–19 season begins in September.

Roosevelt is having a banner year in fundraising, with more than $13 million raised so far, 30% ahead of goal. This marks the third-most significant year in fundraising in the history of the University. Support has ranged from scholarships to programmatic initiatives, capital needs and the American Dream Conference. Each of the five colleges, as well as athletics, has received restricted support. There is still time for faculty and staff to participate in the Annual Golf Outing, Monday, July 30.

Mark your calendars for the third annual American Dream Conference, September 10–13, 2018. I am extremely pleased to announce that Common, an American hip-hop recording artist, actor, film producer and poet from Chicago, has agreed to speak on Thursday, September 13 in the Auditorium Theatre. Our program co-chairs, David Faris and Henry Johnson, have been working hard to create another notable event with panel discussions and speakers that will inspire all of us. Additional details about tickets and full program agenda will be announced in the coming weeks.

I would like to conclude by thanking you, our dedicated faculty, staff and administration, for your commitment to serve one another and embrace the University’s mission of social justice. Inclusion is the core of Roosevelt’s legacy and we do not discriminate based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, economic status, ethnicity, disability, national origin, or veteran or familial status. I believe strongly that it is every American’s right to attain their American Dream through the pursuit of higher education.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable summer.

It is hard to believe that a full academic year is already behind us. Thank you for your hard work; commitment to your studies; and your contributions to service clubs, student organizations and our local community. The University is shaped by your thoughts, opinions and dedication to valuable service.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, as our Commencement speaker. Hayden, the first woman and first African American to lead the national library, will speak and receive an honorary degree during Roosevelt’s graduation ceremonies.

Graduates, I wish you the best in your future endeavors and I want to say how proud I am for all of your accomplishments. Please stay in touch with our alumni office to ensure we hear about your post-graduate experiences and accomplishments – visit roosevelt.edu/alumni for more information. Know that at any time, you can reach out to career development services for resume reviews, to apply for jobs listed in Career Central and to get help with job search strategies.

For students returning for the fall semester, we will be implementing easier ways to schedule appointments with various offices, find support services on campus, and communicate with your academic advisor to make sure you are on track toward graduation. In addition, we have numerous new initiatives to enhance students’ experience living in the residence halls. Be sure to stay updated at roosevelt.edu/current-students and if you have not already, download the Roosevelt mobile app; and do not forget to register for a summer course.

Mark your calendars because the third annual American Dream Reconsidered Conference will be taking place September 10–13, 2018. We have an excellent program centered around 50 years after 1968. Additional details about the program and keynote speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

In closing, let us not forget at this time of year our commitment to serve one another and embrace our mission of social justice and inclusion. The core of Roosevelt’s legacy, one that you will carry forward, is that we do not discriminate based on religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, economic status, ethnicity, disability, national origin, or veteran or familial status. It is every American’s right to attain their American Dream through the pursuit of higher education.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer.