Dear Metropolitan State Community:
Devinder Malhotra
Two years ago, I had the privilege and honor to become part of the Metropolitan State community, and you all graciously took me under your wings. Now it is time to say farewell. Our incredible work together to refashion our institutional identity, reaffirm our commitment to build on our historical strengths, and strategically position ourselves to secure our future has not been without difficulty or challenges, but professionally very gratifying. Each and every day I marveled at the accomplishments of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and most importantly our courageous willingness to march to a different drummer and rethink our profession. Students first, creativity, flexibility, and innovation are embedded in our institutional DNA.
Since our inception, we have continuously worked to rid higher education of it’s elitist character, and to redress the insufficiency and inadequacy of higher education to provide access to affordable extraordinary education to historically disenfranchised and economically oppressed urban communities.
As you all have often reminded me, we not only learn about these urban communities, but with and from them. Thus our programmatic structures and our curricular designs are not only academically rigorous but also relevant to the work and life of our students, and to the vibrancy of the Twin Cities metropolitan region.
I am confident that Metropolitan State, under the presidential leadership of Ginny Arthur, will fulfill it’s innate potential and promise, and deliver on it’s compact with all Minnesotans, particularly the residents of Twin Cities region. I believe that, as an institution committed to inclusive anti-racist ethos, Metropolitan State is ready for a sustainable growth oriented future, and poised to take it’s rightful place among the national network of elite public urban universities.
Thank you for your warmth, indulgence, and generosity of spirit. Thank you for your candor and your patience as we engaged in difficult conversations. Thank you for facilitating my personal and professional growth over the last two years. I learned a lot from you. Most importantly thank you for all you do, each and every day, for our students and our urban communities. I wish you the very best in all your future endeavors. As the University grows and prospers, I will follow your progress with a sense of belonging and justifiable pride.
Devinder Malhotra
Interim President