Welcome to Academic Year 2025-26
Dear Faculty Colleagues,
As we embark on the 2025-26 academic year, I am honored to address our exceptional faculty community at this pivotal moment in the University of Washington’s distinguished history. We stand at the intersection of remarkable opportunity and meaningful challenge, united in our commitment to advancing the mission of this great institution.
I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Robert J. Jones as our 34th president, who brings with him a wealth of leadership experience and a shared vision for academic excellence. His arrival represents not just new leadership, but a renewed commitment to the values that define the UW: innovation, inclusion, and impact. As we welcome President Jones, we also honor the transformational legacy of President Ana Mari Cauce, whose decade of leadership has strengthened our foundation for the work ahead.
We cannot ignore the realities of today’s higher education landscape. The current funding environment presents challenges that require us to be both strategic and creative in how we support our academic mission. Yet, I am confident that our faculty’s resilience, innovation, and collaborative spirit will guide us through these complexities while maintaining our commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service.
In my role as Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Faculty, I am particularly excited to share how our strategic vision will support you in navigating these opportunities and challenges. Our Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty has developed a focused strategic plan built on three foundational goals that directly serve your success:
Foster and Provide Professional Development for Academic Personnel and Faculty – We are committed to creating comprehensive pathways for your growth throughout every stage of your career. Whether you are establishing your research trajectory, refining your pedagogical approaches, or exploring leadership opportunities, we will provide the resources, mentorship, and programming necessary to help you thrive.
Serve as a Trusted Partner to the UW Community – Our office exists to be your advocate and ally. We will work transparently and collaboratively to understand your needs, address your concerns, and ensure that our policies and practices truly support your success. This partnership extends beyond individual support to fostering the kind of inclusive, collegial environment where all faculty can flourish.
Anticipate and Meet the Dynamic Needs of Academic Personnel and Faculty – Higher education is evolving rapidly, and we must stay ahead of these changes to serve you effectively. We are committed to being proactive rather than reactive, identifying emerging challenges and opportunities before they impact your work, and developing innovative solutions that position you for success.
These goals are not merely aspirational statements; they represent our operational blueprint for supporting your scholarly endeavors, enhancing your professional satisfaction, and strengthening our collective impact. I encourage you to review the complete strategic plan, which is now available on the Academic Personnel and Faculty website. In an era of constrained resources, we must be intentional about investing in what matters most: our people.
As we navigate this academic year together, I encourage you to engage actively with our professional development opportunities, to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries, and to approach challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth. Remember that your individual success contributes to our collective strength, and that the work you do in classrooms, laboratories, and communities extends far beyond our campus borders.
The University of Washington has always been a place where bold ideas take root and flourish. Under President Jones’s leadership and with your continued dedication, we will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, prepare the next generation of leaders, and address the complex challenges facing our world.
I look forward to working alongside each of you in making this academic year one of meaningful progress and shared achievement. My office stands ready to support you, and I encourage you to reach out whenever we can be of assistance.
Here’s to a year of growth, discovery, and impact.
With warm regards and deep appreciation,
Fred Muyia Nafukho
Vice Provost for Academic Personnel & Faculty