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VPAA Update March 2026

Dear MIIS Students, Staff and Faculty: 

The MIIS campus, both in-person and virtual, is a busy place as we approach spring break later this month. Celebrations of Mardi Gras (in the driving rain) and the Holi Festival (in the bright sunshine) brought community members together for food and fun; special thanks to Linae Ishii-Devine and her colleagues for these and other wonderful events all year round. Our Middlebury Institute Online students have begun their “Spring B” terms. This weekend we welcome students and faculty to our annual International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise (ISCNE), a complex simulation carried out in partnership with the Army War College.  

I write with updates on our teach-out, this month with particular relevance for students.

  • Expanded Library opening hours: In response to concerns raised most recently at the Student Town Hall during the January on-site Board meetings, the Library will expand its opening hours starting this week: Monday-Friday, 10 am-10 pm; Saturday, noon-8 pm; Sunday, noon-5 pm. My thanks to Joelle Mellon and her team for their creative and flexible approach to meeting this student need. (Note that during Spring Break, the Library’s hours will be modified: closed Saturday & Sunday, March 14-15; Monday-Friday, March 16-20, noon-5 pm; back to the new expanded schedule beginning Saturday, March 21.)
  • Study and meeting spaces for students: I want to remind students of resources complementary to those in the Library. In addition to the campus spaces that are available by reservation through the Room Reservation system and study rooms bookable through the Library, you can reserve a one-person office space in McCone –  for an interview or other private space needs. These are bookable first-come, first serve using this Google spreadsheet. In addition, the Samson Reading Room is open 7am – 2am daily for quiet study, and there is access to a printer in the small room to the left of the entrance. Samson Student Center and Holland Center are both open 7am – 2am daily for student use. Please note campus security is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling on the blue campus phones or (831) 647-4153. 
  • Student professional development funding: We have made additional funds available to support students going to conferences, networking events, taking an industry certification exam, or engaging in other professional development opportunities. Learn more and apply here.  

Finally, the VPAA team is moving to the McCone building during Spring Break. Stacie Riley, Stacy Roth-Guyette, and I will be relocating from the Segal building. As the student and employee populations on campus decline during the teach-out, we are making this shift to be with the other student support services and closer to more of our staff and faculty colleagues. There may be additional moves in the future as we look to prioritize student interaction, community engagement, and to have a modest impact on energy conservation. My new office will be McCone 204, next to the former Admissions front desk. Please stop by and visit! 

With best regard to all,

JDJ