Welcome. As Chancellor, I want to personally welcome you to campus. We are glad that you are here. Congratulations!
You are part of a vital and thriving international community at CU-Boulder. We are proud to have a global campus with students from 90 nations!
This diversity of students from all corners of the world help broaden the base of understanding among all students about their neighbors in the world.
You will join and participate in a global community of students and faculty where we seek to share and develop broad cultural understanding and a more complete view of the world around us.
Clearly, we live and work in a global society. Studying, learning and sharing knowledge together prepares all of us for work and collaboration in a global society.
Today, you are one of 2,500 international students on campus and one of nearly 1,000 new students this year! Here, lifelong friendships are made, and you may meet future business or research partners.
Our international students are valued members of our community and we are here to support you. We have resources to support you throughout your academic career. We have a network of people across campus—faculty, your fellow students, Residence Life staff, the Office of International Education—they are all part of an academic team who will help you succeed. We are all here to assist you during your time on campus and after you graduate.
The moment you registered for classes at CU-Boulder, you became a Forever Buff. Being a Forever Buff is an opportunity, but also a commitment. It’s a commitment to stay engaged, stay in touch, and represent the university.
We want you to always be a part of our community, so please stay in touch with us. You stay in touch with your family when you are here … so please stay in touch with us when you are home. When you graduate, or return home to visit, we hope there is a piece of CU-Boulder in your mind and in your heart that returns home with you. And we hope that the networks and relationships you build while you are here on campus will go with you to your home country.
You have taken a courageous step in your academic career by choosing to pursue a degree at a foreign university, and unique opportunities await you both academically and socially. We applaud you for your willingness to embrace new cultural experiences. At the same time, we want you to honor your own personal heritage here in Colorado.
Introduction of the Global Ambassadors Program
There is much to be gained through international and intercultural connections, and at CU-Boulder we do everything we can to facilitate the exchange of people and ideas. This summer, I initiated a Global Ambassadors program.
Global Ambassadors are CU alumni and international leaders worldwide who advise us on how best to recruit, support and engage our international community, including students, alumni, parents and officials from countries around the world. You are now a valued member of this global community. Someday, we may be calling on you to be a Global Ambassador to support your successors here at the University of Colorado.
Introduction of new Dean of Students Akirah Bradley
Now it is my pleasure to introduce you to someone who is also new to campus, our new Dean of Students, Akirah Bradley. Akirah joins us at CU-Boulder from the University of California-Berkeley.
Akirah is one of the many people here to support you. She even knows a thing or two about international travel. She was chief conduct officer on a Semester at Sea international voyage. I hope you are all able take some time to get to know Akirah during your time here.
Please help me welcome Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Akirah Bradley.