Member Communications

POD Network President Francine Glazer delivers her first presidential address during the welcome session of the #POD21 virtual conference.

I’m pleased to report that the Core Committee of the POD Network has responded to the call in academia (and society as a whole) for authentic reflection and action regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion by laying the groundwork to engage in an in-depth review of our own organization and processes.

It seems hard to believe that my time in the presidential role has come to an end, and this is my final email to you all. I would be untruthful if I said this hasn’t been a tough year to have held this volunteer role, for so many reasons. But it has also been a very rewarding year.

In February, I wrote to you about being optimistic, but then I fell silent. I’ll admit I’ve struggled the past couple of months to keep up my positive outlook. In Ontario, we are under a full stay-at-home order until June 2 due to the continued rise in COVID cases. Vaccine roll-out has been slow here (I finally got my first shot on May 1!), and it’s unclear when our students will get their turn. Nonetheless, Fall planning has begun for a return to campus despite all the uncertainties like building occupancy limits and variants. I can’t quite believe it, but I think I was busier at work this March and April than during the same timeframe last year.

While many of us seemed ready to say good-bye to 2020, this new year has had a somewhat variable start. We have continued to see protests and riots around the world and pandemic lockdown measures (Ontario, where I live, declared another state of emergency until mid-Feb). It’s hard not to feel anxious, drained, and angry. And yet, there are also signs of positive change: a momentous inauguration in the United States with Kamala Harris being sworn in as Vice President, the start of promising vaccination campaigns, and increasing daylight hours in North America (this last one always boosts my energy).

Once again, I marvel at all the hard work that our various colleagues engage in on behalf of our organization, and I so appreciate everyone’s ongoing commitment to staying connected and involved with POD.

The start of school also signals that it’s time to re-launch activities that got put on hold over the summer. Might one activity you choose include the POD Network?

In July, I wrote to you about transitions and how much they can make us feel overloaded. In recent conversations with POD Network colleagues, though, I’ve felt like it’s more than transitions that are exhausting us. I see, hear, and feel the stress and anxiety that is sapping our energy.

I considered providing you with some factual updates about our organization given that our Spring Core meeting just happened in June, but I’m going to save that for later. Instead, I’ve opted for something a bit more conceptual, which feels like a better fit at this point in time.

I am often at a loss for words, but I’m feeling more so that way at this time. My heart is heavy with the recent overwhelming and devastating acts of anti-Black racism and police brutality in the United States, in Canada, and beyond.

Connecting with POD colleagues is my emphasis this month. Our ongoing pandemic conditions can make us feel not only overworked but also isolated. But when I reach out to my POD colleagues, I feel less alone. How about you?

In stepping into the role of President as of March 21, I’ve opted to take a slightly different tack in communicating with you. Our newsletter has been phased out and we are putting more emphasis on social media messaging, but we also know that not all of you engage in those media, so I’m going old school with my messages. On a somewhat regular basis, I will communicate with you directly via a members’ email.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the importance of inclusion, equity, and diversity for the POD Network and the future of higher education. I am looking forward to changes in the rising and returning student populations and the new perspectives and energy they will bring to our physical and virtual campuses. Creating equitable and inclusive learning and professional environments is more important than ever.