Welcome back faculty and staff

Hi everyone. I’m Joy Johnson, and as of today, I am the president of SFU. I want to start this fall term and my new role by simply saying thank you.

Over the past five months, I’ve watched with pride as you have responded to student needs with dedication, creativity and flexibility, delivered a world-class education under changing conditions, and carried on with the research and innovation that our world needs more than ever. You’ve done it all with compassion and integrity, and all while balancing home life, too. I know how hard you’ve been working, and I want to thank you for everything you have done.

As we welcome students back to classes, all of our effort is for them. They need us more than ever, just as the world is going to need them more than ever. We need to do what we can to support them through this. This is what I’m focused on right now, just as I know it’s what all of you are focused on, too.

With that in mind, I want to remind you of a fundamental rule of healthcare: in order to take care of others, you need to take care of yourself. As we have all come to accept by now, getting through the pandemic is a marathon, not a sprint, and it can be hard to take care of ourselves. But SFU is here to help. I encourage you to visit the HR and Faculty Relations websites to learn about the programs and supports available to you. Please take advantage, and if you need help, reach out.

Though this is a complex and difficult time, I’m so honoured to take on the presidency of SFU —  yes, even now. Truly, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. I’m privileged to call this my community, and I’m eager to listen, learn and grow alongside all of you.

SFU is a remarkable place, and the way we have managed this crisis assures me that we will only grow stronger, more resilient and more resolved in our desire to contribute to a better society. I could not be more proud or more excited to be part of what’s next for SFU.

Stay safe, take care of yourselves, and take care of one another. See you soon.