Thanking Interim President Shalala and Welcoming President Towers
A Message from Linda E. Rappaport, Chair, Board of Trustees
Dear New School Community,
With the start of the new academic year approaching, I am writing on behalf of the Board of Trustees with gratitude, anticipation, and optimism about what we as a community can accomplish together.
There is no doubt that the past year has brought change and challenge to campuses across the country. Throughout this period, Interim President Shalala has guided our university with a steady hand, calm determination, and an unwavering commitment to a strong, sustainable future for The New School. In just 12 months, Donna successfully began the task of stabilizing the university’s finances, while enhancing the academic and community experience of our students and strengthening our infrastructure. These accomplishments represent a memorable legacy. I thank Donna on behalf of The New School community, and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Now, with great potential and opportunity ahead of us, we welcome Joel Towers as our new president. Joel is uniquely qualified to lead our institution at this juncture. He has spent 20 years in our community as a faculty member, research center director, and the Executive Dean of Parsons. During that time he has been deeply committed to excellence in teaching, learning, creative practice and research, and to The New School’s distinctive combination of academic excellence and social values. His skills in financial stewardship, combined with his enthusiasm and vision for the possibility of what we can become, make him ideally suited to lead us in this transformational moment. We look forward to partnering with him as we continue to advance our mission of preparing students to understand, contribute to, and succeed in a rapidly changing society—a mission that has never been more important.
Please join me in expressing our deep appreciation to Donna for her exceptional service, and in welcoming Joel as he begins his tenure as the 10th president of The New School.
With all the best,
Linda
Linda E. Rappaport
Chair, Board of Trustees