A message from Dean Saara J. DeWalt to the CBS community sent November 8, 2023.

Colleagues,

This week is First-Gen College Student Celebration Week at the University of Minnesota. CBS Student Services will hold a CBS First-Generation Community Gathering Friday, November 10 at noon. Students, faculty and staff who identify as first-generation are invited to attend.

At this point in the semester, we are all immersed in our own projects and focused on our own day-to-day work. All of that work by individuals and teams is linked by a shared purpose – to educate, discover and engage. I spent the last month meeting with students, faculty and staff across the college and I am truly inspired by what I see. What we do here is important, and it is the result of your efforts. 

I will give just a few examples of the excellent work underway. I recently toured our new biomanufacturing facility with Interim President Jeff Ettinger and others. The building, currently under construction on the St. Paul campus, will expand our footprint in this critical area and serve as a resource for the region. With the launch of our biotechnology minor this fall and a renewed focus on building connections to biotechnology companies here in Minnesota and beyond, there is great potential to expand opportunities for our students and faculty.

I also attended an event with National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan  focused on science, innovation and workforce development. CBS graduate student Briana Beatty participated in a panel discussion with Dr. Panchanathan, Senator Amy Klobuchar and others. It was wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm around topics so central to our work here in the college and so critical for society as a whole.

We also held our annual CBS Recognition and Appreciation Dinner. The event is an opportunity to recognize our scholarship and fellowship recipients and award-winning faculty and alumni. While the dinner celebrates individual accomplishment, it is also a measure of our success in achieving that shared purpose. Our students excel and our alumni succeed because of the daily work of teaching, research and outreach.   

We often talk about helping our students realize their full potential. That is also true for the college. Reaching our full potential depends on every individual doing their very best work. That can only happen when we create an environment in which people feel supported and valued. With that in mind, thank you for participating in the Employee Engagement Survey. I am already working with the college’s leadership team to identify what we are doing well and where we can do better. 

While the survey is an important conduit for feedback, it’s part of an ongoing dialogue I hope to have with members of this community. I will do everything I can to create a positive, productive environment for all and your continued input is essential. Thank you so much for not only what you do but also how you do it. 

Best,

Saara DeWalt
Dean, College of Biological Sciences