It’s that time of the year for those of us on semesters: students are returning to campus, orientation sessions are wrapping up, we’re putting the final touches on fall course schedules and closely watching fall enrollment numbers. Deans and department chairs are also preparing for the annual start-of-the-year faculty meetings at which we will introduce new colleagues, provide updates on academic and other campus initiatives, and articulate our goals for the year. It is generally an energetic, upbeat meeting at which nine-month faculty reconnect with their colleagues in a moment of optimism about the academic year ahead.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
