Message from the Senior Associate Dean

My wife, children, and I recently attended a community event focused on food insecurity and hunger issues within Virginia. Many volunteers came together around this important issue, representing diverse sectors like business, local government agencies, community volunteer organizations, churches, and others. One of the speakers, who shared a personal story of homelessness and hunger, offered a surprising message that has stuck with me. He talked about one of his former high school teachers that made a positive impact on his life. He said this teacher was one of the few people in his life that offered him care and support, and her encouragement had helped sustain him even during the most difficult times in his life. He then directed the crowd to think about someone who had made an impact in our lives, encouraged us to pen a note or craft an email to let them know. To honor his request, let me first say “thank you” to each of you for your dedication to your work, our students, and the important scholarly work we do in Health Sciences. I am inspired by the talent, altruism, and passion that HS faculty and staff display every day. Thinking more about the speaker's comments, did you know that one in three college students in the U.S. experiences food insecurity, among numerous other life stressors that disproportionately impact collegiates? Did you know that food insecurity is higher than the national average at GW? A 2018 report revealed nearly 40 percent of GW students face food insecurity, at its highest rates are among graduate students. As we near Thanksgiving, let us remember the important roles we play in the lives of our students–from supporting their academic success to serving as caring advisors who they can trust with their aspirations and personal challenges alike. We can make a positive difference in their lives, and how we engage them can have lasting beneficial effects. Every day, I see HS faculty and staff advocating for our students, and this is a part of the HS culture that I am particularly proud of this holiday season. Thank you for all that you do for GW Health Sciences. I wish you and your families a happy, healthy holiday season.