Passing the Torch

I loved the Olympic flag passing from France to Hollywood with Tom Cruise and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, probably because those are icons from when I grew up.  I had the CD with Californication and saw the original Mission Impossible in the theaters.  Between the LA Superbowl Halftime show a few years ago and that montage, I now feel like advertisements are targeting me, which may say something about my age.  I enjoyed the Paris Olympics, but it was time to transition to LA.  I feel like that time is now for the blog, so while I don't have Tom Cruise for an assist, I am passing the torch to a superstar in Academic Support, Goldie Pritchard from Michigan State University College of Law.

Many of you already know Goldie.  You may have attended one of her AASE presentations or interacted with her at numerous conferences.  She served both AASE and AALS in many capacities, including AALS Section of Academic Support board member and on the AASE bar advocacy committee.  She was previously a contributing editor on the blog, which is one of the reasons she was the choice to lead the blog.  Please join me in welcoming her to this new leadership role.  Here is her bio from Michigan State:

"Goldie Pritchard currently serves as Assistant Dean of the Academic Success Program and Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University College of Law. Pritchard is the founder of the current Academic Success Program which is now an integral part of the law college. Since 2009, she has supported law students as they navigate their academic careers and prepare for the bar exam by developing and implementing several programs, courses, and one-on-one interactions. She embraces the challenge of deciphering how to best support individual students as they prepare to become academically successful and succeed on the bar exam.

Pritchard is most proud of her work with non-traditional, diverse, and academically at risk students and cherishes those students she helped become lawyers who now serve clients in their respective communities. She assists and empowers students, particularly those who may or do feel disenfranchised by the law school experience, to adjust and succeed. Pritchard draws from her extensive experience in student affairs and academic support in multiple higher education settings to intersect her passion and professional duties. Pritchard also serves on academic support organization committees and volunteers her time to help students from across the country who were unsuccessful in passing the bar exam.

Pritchard received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History with a minor in French from the University of California Davis. She also holds a law degree from Seattle University School of Law and a master’s degree in Higher Education with an emphasis on College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University."

Goldie has great insight and advice for both students and ASPers.  I am confident you will enjoy her leadership.  I can't wait to read and see where she takes this opportunity.

(Steven Foster)