Few people have done as much to nurture and sustain academic excellence across the University as Judy Singer. When I returned to Harvard in 2011, she quickly became one of my most trusted advisers, a person of great discernment who is valued for her good humor as well as her knowledge and wisdom.
I thought they wanted to know how my research could fit into those systems. I went in and found it was not just the dean and the research director, but the director of human resources was there, too. As part of the reorganization effort, the university was sunsetting the goat program, on which Temu worked. They also terminated his tenured position, effective immediately.
Denise and I met at our new faculty orientation, which seems like a lifetime ago, and grew up together as academics. She chose administration early on, and I taught for decades before giving up faculty status to become a full-time fellowship director. As she advanced from dean to provost to president, my role as the administrative "trailing" spouse altered in both subtle and overt ways at each new institution, but the core was always rooted in our dedication to the universities we served and to each other.
Not too long ago, in the time before they became chiefs, our VPs would have been called deans, directors or, in the case of our chief financial officer, treasurer. (Indeed, some retain a dean title along with their vice presidential one-the vice president of student affairs and dean of students, or the vice president and dean of admission and financial aid.) I respect and value the work that they do, regardless of their title. I know them and am aware of their dedication to the college and the well-being of its students, faculty and staff.
Every potential transfer student will walk into an admissions office and ask the same four questions: How will my credits transfer? How long will it take me to graduate? How much will it cost? What about my major? The university's answers will determine if that student applies or walks away. Unlike a first-year student who may consider applying to a college or university over several weeks or months, these four questions facilitate a quick decision for transfer students about their next institution.