Chancellor Emphasizes Community and Student Success in Inauguration Speech

Chancellor Susan E. Borrego, in her official investiture ceremony April 17, called for bold action in further building University of Michigan-Flint community connections and student achievement.

Borrego, who began as chancellor last August, said she believes UM-Flint is "on the cusp of another huge shift in the life of the university."

She lauded the talents of the UM-Flint community and celebrated during the ceremony, held at The Whiting in the Flint Cultural Center.

"Let's move boldly to create our tomorrow. Let's increase the opportunities to engage students in research projects and travel to conferences to share their research. Let's work with the community to develop research projects that can be catalysts for change–revolutionizing how we impact childhood poverty or urban health and sustainability or any number of issues that will make the world a better place," Borrego said. "Let's invest in student scholarships and support in a way that both rewards merit and assists with need."

Borrego emphasized her commitment to making the university accessible financially for more students.

She said she has been in higher education long enough to know that many universities like UM-Flint have students who are working, going to school, and borrowing, who then hit small snags that prevent them from finishing their college career.

Borrego said, "Imagine if UM-Flint was able to provide financial aid to meet all of a student's need. Increasing financial aid is a critical factor for increasing student success."

She touted the university's connections with the city and encouraged deepening the relationship even further.

"Let's seize the opportunity to partner with the city as we continue to transform Flint," Borrego said. "To bring more students, faculty and staff downtown, to create campus life opportunities that will enliven this corner."

She tied her life's path to her positon as chancellor, defining her work in higher education as both "personal and professional" to her. Born in Detroit, she was raised by her grandmother, and became an emancipated minor at age 16. With the help and love of friends, family, and teachers, she graduated high school and became the first in her family to go to college.

"So you see, I am the product of a community's love and commitment. I am the product of people who laid and pointed out stepping stones that would become a pathway; a thousand acts of support and challenge that enabled a first generation, non-college bound, emancipated minor to stand here, in this moment as the seventh Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint."

In honor of her grandmother, Borrego announced she and her partner Mary Boyce have endowed the Margaret E. Moll scholarship, matched by the chancellor's cousins, the Crupis.

"We do this because we know education creates opportunity," Borrego said. "It changed my life and made me who I am today."

Borrego thanked donors, staff, alumni, faculty, students, and others who help make the university shine.

"I am delighted and humbled to join you in the work of creating our future; a future filled with more opportunity and success for our students and our community."

Contact University Relations staff writer Robert Gold with comments, questions, and ideas at [email protected], (810) 424-5596, or on Twitter, @writerobert.