Over the course of the fall semester I had the privilege of hearing from NC State students through informal "chats" at various locations on campus. Starting at the Innovation Café and ending at the Port City Java in Park Shops, these gatherings allowed a direct interchange of thought and idea between me, the Chancellor, and you, the student. The landscape of higher education has seen momentous shifts throughout its long history, and our current political, economic and social climate indicates that this may be a time of such change. As I work daily to enhance the value of an NC State education, I am deeply interested in and open to the voice of our student body. Throughout the past months, students have brought a number of questions and concerns my way, helping shed light on their needs and desires.

I have listened to students interested in forming a terrestrial robotics club to complement our underwater and aerial robotics teams. Many students have expressed interest in the current and future development of centennial campus. Students often come to share their positive feedback about programs such as Transitions and Undergraduate Research, or to learn more about how a university as large and diverse as NC State functions on an administrative level. And then there's always the debate over reading days.

Regardless of the concern, students and I were able to carry clear and open discourse on a variety of topics, respectfully exchanging thoughts and ideas regarding the current state of things and possible paths for improvement. These issues and more have piqued my interest and caught my attention during the course of the semester. As Chancellor it is my intention to lead a transparent administration focused on the needs of those who comprise the base of the university pyramid. I look forward to receiving further feedback from our students at our future chats and thank each of those students who has made it a point to have their howl heard.