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Personal Reflections / 12.15.14, José M. Torres

Personal Reflections

We are nearing the completion of IMSA’s fall semester and, as the upcoming holidays approach and 2014 nears its end, I am moved to reflect on my accomplishments and share them with you.

Since I’m expanding the reach of my reflections to our students, parents and alumni I’d like to first welcome our newest readers—and also express my gratitude for everyone’s dedication and hard work. We’ve had a good year.

My previous Personal Reflections capture my thoughts from my first 90 days and after reading a recent email message exclaiming, “we can’t wait for day 91!,” I decided that on …

Personal Reflections / 11.25.14, José M. Torres

Personal Reflections

In this season of giving thanks and family celebrations, I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your dedication and continued commitment—and to express my gratitude to each of you for helping IMSA to accomplish so much this year.

It’s been a few weeks since my last personal reflection and I think today is a perfect day—at the start of this season of gratitude—to share my thoughts with you.

First, it has been an honor and a joy to serve as your President these past two months, ten weeks to be exact! During this time my Listening …

Personal Reflections / 10.24.14, José M. Torres

Personal Reflections

As I write my third Personal Reflection as President of IMSA, I am mindful of how privileged I am to serve as your president. Last week, I attended the LULAC (League of United Latina American Citizens) Banquet and Scholarship Dinner in Aurora. An administrator from a school district said to me, "Some of us [other administrators who know of my move from the superintendence of School District U-46 to the presidency of IMSA] wonder why you would go to IMSA." I replied, "You just don't understand. IMSA exists to 'ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that ' advance the …

Personal Reflections / 10.2.14, José M. Torres

Personal Reflections

I want to begin by thanking all of you again for welcoming me into the IMSA family. This week marks my third official week as president of this fine institution, and I’m beginning to feel more at home. I’m very happy to report that I don’t get nearly as lost as I did those first few days on campus.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve met with faculty at large meetings, in small groups, and individually. I had my first office hours for faculty, too!

I have also met with groups of students including URP (Underrepresented Population), Student Council, and …

Personal Reflections / 9.18.14, José M. Torres

Personal Reflections

As I complete my first official week as President of IMSA, I want to inform you of some ways that I intend to create channels of communication with faculty and staff. This "Personal Reflection" is designed to allow me to share my thinking and reflections with you and may evolve to include updates and announcements from the President's Office. From time to time, I will also solicit your input as a way to foster two-way communication, and will most likely distribute these messages more broadly to our IMSA community. This is in an effort to inform and engage them as …