And yet sometimes these basic principles are the most difficult to remember, especially in challenging times:

Focus on students. No matter how busy we are, we must remember to keep our students front and center—students like Michael, who spoke at commencement about his journey from life in the Dominican Republic to attending a university in Boston, and Sarah, who challenged herself with multiple co-ops before starting her passion project to convert a school bus. We can learn from our students' diverse perspectives, experiences and needs, and we must center them when making any decision, even when it carries risk.
Seek input from your board and your administration. Talk with these key stakeholders as early and as often as possible. Strive for candid conversations, as this openness can strengthen the outcome of any plan. Above all, be honest: Do not underestimate risks, and do not overstate opportunities. This past year, my board chair and I met at least weekly, and building that trust helped us move the institution forward and speak with a unified voice on important issues.
Strengthen partnerships with your city and state. The city of Boston exercised great caution throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which worked to Wentworth's benefit in planning our commencement ceremonies. Their thoughtfulness helped us keep our campus and local communities safe, and our relationship will serve all of us well as we plan for fall.
Take the long view. Humans are not meant to endure months on end of crisis. Our strategic thinking suffers as a result. As an economist by training, I am perhaps more accustomed than many to continually weighing tradeoffs and risks for every decision. Yet I must still remind myself that, especially when under duress, it can be all too easy to focus on immediate payoffs and ignore long-term consequences. We must prioritize thoughtfulness over convenience.

'Our reason for being'

Above all, we must remember that as educators, we are in the business of transforming lives. Our daily decisions must reflect that mission. We have a responsibility, both now and once the pandemic is through, to serve our students holistically. Everything we do must be to benefit our students.

Instant Insights /

In-person graduations highlight 4 student-centered strategies

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