To: Faculty and Staff
From: Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
President, Northern Kentucky University
Date: 09/10/24
Subject: A note about the 2024 election season
Dear Colleagues,
Ahead of tonight’s presidential debate and with election season in full swing, I wanted to send a note to reiterate the message I shared with you at Fall Convocation.
Let’s be our best selves this fall and always.
This can be a polarizing world and there are many divisive issues that confront us in 2024. People are propelled to action. We want our voices heard on issues that matter to us — and there are many that specifically impact NKU, our students and our community. How we react to that desire and seek to be heard matters. We must listen and learn from each other– no matter what side of an issue is in our hearts and minds.
With that in mind, please remember that we are a community of learners, and we rise to support each other regardless of our differences. Every day, this welcoming campus opens to exploration for students, staff and faculty. We will all read and hear things in the coming months counter to our world views and values.
As we engage in many hard conversations, we have an opportunity to stand above the fray and not be divisive. We must be judicious in our responses and take care in how we conduct ourselves in person and online. I simply ask that we all represent NKU, our fields of study and our community at large in a respectful, civic-minded manner. Faculty and staff who might be approached for comment on issues by members of the media should coordinate with Chief Communications Officer Corey Best so that we may best present ourselves and our ideals.
Above all, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote and to participate in our democratic republic. There is no better way to engage as a citizen of this country and it is of the utmost importance.
All my best to each of you,
Cady Short-Thompson, Ph.D.
President, Northern Kentucky University
