Greetings—

On this first day of my job as Campus Compact’s new president, I want to begin by thanking you all for the messages I received in advance of my start. I’ve heard from presidents, community engagement practitioners and administrators, faculty, engagement field leaders, and philanthropic partners—all sharing best wishes and excitement about what is ahead for Compact, our collective missions, and offering their support and collaboration.

The messages were a wonderful reinforcement of the passion and commitment so many have for Campus Compact–both what it has meant to the field historically and the critical role it will play as we collectively evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

I am joining the Compact at a moment when leveraging the power of our coalition and position as the national voice for higher education community and civic engagement is essential. As a values-driven and relationship-focused organization, we are ready to build and grow to advance our mission and the public purposes of higher education. The work will take all of us.

The evolution of our Compact network, to one that meets the field where it is now, requires patience, deep collaboration, and openness to change. The work our institutions and leaders are doing every day in their communities to support students, partners, and neighborhoods navigate the impacts and loss from the pandemic, actively engage in our democracy, and address systemic racial inequities, demands that we remain laser-focused on the work and supporting each other.

In the coming days and months, I’ll be focused on learning from and connecting with you, our members and partners to hear:

• What’s working and not working currently?
• What are new ways Compact can support you?
• How can we collaborate?
• How can your institution/organization help push our collective work forward?

Please reach out to connect at blaur@compact.org.

I join the incredible Compact team in being energized to work with you as we catalyze around new ideas and ways of working, convene leaders to advance the work, and drive our collective impact as a field of institutions and leaders!

Thank you for the warm welcome, Compact Nation! Let’s get to work.

Bobbie Laur
President, Campus Compact
blaur@compact.org