Jan 27, 2025
Dear Pratt Community,
Welcome back. This is the beginning of what will be an extraordinary spring semester, made even more significant by the investigations you pursue and the work you present.
This is, also, a time of transition in our country and the world. Higher education continues to be a bedrock of our growth as responsible citizens and positive world-makers. We remain committed to our values embedded in intellectual curiosity and creative enterprise. Pratt’s administration continues to work closely with our colleagues in other academic institutions and organizations, reach out to civic partners, and receive counsel to ensure we are prepared to support our community members. Over the break, Human Resources, Student Affairs, and the Office of International Affairs have worked with those who have felt the impact of the events of the past weeks, from the fires in Southern California to reentry from their home countries. Our caring administrators are and will continue to be of service as needed throughout the semester.
Work on Pratt’s next strategic plan will continue in full force over the next months, with a workshop for academic leadership this week and workshops for faculty and staff soon to be announced. Throughout the Spring 2025 semester, we as a community will identify the priorities and initiatives that will drive how we achieve our shared vision into the future. Watch for emails announcing several opportunities to participate in the strategic planning process. The final version of the plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval at the end of this academic year, in mid-May.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is preparing to launch a new Campus Climate Survey on January 29. I encourage everyone to participate, as your feedback helps Pratt identify strengths, address challenges, and ensure our campus is a place where everyone is valued and thrives. We will continue our Critical Conversations events and services, uphold our commitment to diversity, pursue excellence, and support multiple views, experiences, and presentations. Academic freedom, inquiry, and our work together are the foundations of Pratt’s strength, as are its students, faculty, and staff.
Hiring searches are progressing well for the next Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a goal to have announced both appointments by the end of this semester.
The Research Open House will be held on April 24 at Pratt’s Research Yard, our hub of innovation, where faculty work with students, community members, and industry partners to develop solutions to our city and world’s greatest issues. Other events include Black Dress II: Homage at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery, the Design Equity event “Transforming Cities Through the Arts and Industry,” the School of Architecture event series on how we connect across disciplines, and the MLK Jr. Legacy Week events. More events will be posted at Pratt.edu/events throughout the semester.
With spring semester, we are once again treated to a multitude of Pratt Shows, celebrating the work of our graduating class, from the weekly exhibitions that open Mondays beginning in February to the Design and Fashion Shows, InfoShow, film and animation screenings, creative readings, and more through May. We will see reflected in this work the years of research, exploration, critical thinking, creative inquiry, problem-solving, growth, production, practice, collaboration, and accomplishment achieved by our students and their teachers.
And finally, our graduating class of 2025 will walk across the Radio City Music Hall stage at Commencement 2025 with their proud families, faculty, and friends there to celebrate with us.
I look forward to the ambitious semester ahead and all we will accomplish.
Sincerely,
Frances Bronet
President