Let’s not forget the lessons of the last 24 hours. That our faith in democracy is tested not when our own ideas or candidates win, but when others do. That democracy is difficult and fragile. That it shouldn't be taken for granted. That every generation must work hard to preserve it. And that we, as educators, have an essential responsibility to ensure that every generation is prepared to inherit this republic, make it its own, and make it better.

Georgia Tech's Dec. 17 installment of the our "Conversations on the Hill" series focused on the Institute's response to Covid-19. The panel discussion included several of the Institute's leading experts who have played some of the most instrumental roles in Georgia Tech's response to the pandemic.

I delivered a keynote address (in Spanish) to the Universidad de Alcalá leadership team on Dec. 9, 2020 as they embark on a strategic planning process. Universidad de Alcalá is one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in the Middle Ages in a historic city near Madrid. I shared with them our experiences in crafting the Georgia Tech strategic plan as well as my thoughts on the global environment for higher education.

As Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff pause for the Thanksgiving break, President Cabrera shares a message of gratitude — reflecting on the successes and challenges of the fall semester and looking ahead to the spring.

Every day, I am amazed by the impact that we have together. The caliber of students we attract and graduate, the top-ranked national programs we deliver, and the research breakthroughs we discover. Each one of us plays an important role in those achievements. What each of us does matters a great deal — especially when no one is watching.

I am honored to join you for the 75th anniversary of United Nations Day. With all its political complexities and imperfections, the founding of the United Nations (UN) remains a towering example of global collaboration — living proof that humans can come together and find peaceful ways to solve conflict and support human development.

Earlier this year, I was a guest on The Innovating Together Podcast. Produced by the University Innovation Alliance, Innovating Together brings together leaders and experts in higher education to share insights, research, and advice.

In this video, I discuss the importance of getting tested every week and share some updates on our progress.

I am proud of the impressive Covid-19 surveillance testing system built by our faculty and staff, and I am deeply grateful to all who are working tirelessly to run it. I am also thankful to the thousands of students who’ve already been tested, and to the dozens of student leaders, including many in fraternities and sororities, who are working hard to encourage others to get tested regularly. But testing only helps if all of us get tested regularly.

To the entire Georgia Tech community — welcome back. I am excited to see our campus full of energy once again despite the difficult circumstances we are going through. It hasn’t been easy to get ready for this reopening, and I am immensely grateful for all the work of our faculty and staff in preparation for this fall semester. The coming weeks are not going to be any easier, yet I’m confident in the ability of our community to complete a successful and productive semester.