Greetings everyone,
I hope you are all having a wonderful December. It is hard to believe that we have already come to the end of our fall semester in 2024. This has been a challenging year for all of us, but it has also been a year of hard work and tremendous accomplishments, which fills me with great pride.
In the past year, our community has done so much to improve the lives of U-M’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and everyone else who calls our institution home. That is one of the many reasons why I am so pleased that the name of our beloved “Michigan IT” has evolved into the more inclusive (and more descriptive) “Michigan Technology Community.”
Because we are a community, first and foremost. Technology brings us all together, ranging from information technology to instructional technology to advanced research technology and beyond.
This month’s Winter Innovation Expo was a fantastic showcase for everything our diverse community is doing across our various campuses. It allowed us to connect with each other, start meaningful dialogues, and kick off new collaborations for the benefit of our university. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who had a hand in putting together the 2024 Expo, and I am looking forward to seeing how the Michigan Technology Community will continue to grow and thrive in the new year.
As we look at expanding the reach of the Michigan Technology Community, it is vital that we keep ensuring that our technology remains innovative, responsible, and accessible. In that spirit, I am happy to share the recent relaunch of U-M’s Digital Accessibility website. This redesigned site was created in partnership with the U-M Digital Accessibility team and our Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office (ECRT). It is a significant milestone in our university’s larger Digital Accessibility Strategic Initiative and now offers enhanced support with resources like training and interactive tools. I encourage you to visit the website today to explore its features and stay informed on upcoming updates. Remember – our community is stronger together, so it is essential that we make sure that all of our users can benefit from our technology.
In the spirit of the approaching Season Days, I invite you to watch this video by our ITS Marketing & Communications team celebrating the history of Winter Break at U-M. I hope you enjoy it.
Finally, as we move toward 2025, I would love to know what you thought of our past year. Our technology community accomplished a lot in 2024, and there is always value in looking back and figuring out what lessons we should take away from the year. Please reach out to me at rpendse@umich.edu and let me know what you think. I am always grateful for your thoughtful insights. You are all amazing, and I consider myself lucky to be in your company for another year.
Thank you again for everything you do for the University of Michigan and the Michigan Technology Community. Have a very happy holiday season and a sensational winter break. I will see you in 2025.
With gratitude,
Ravi
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Ravi Pendse PhD
Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
University of Michigan
