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Meet the Provost, Dr. Ali A. Houshmand

As the new academic year gets underway so begins a new chapter in the life of Rowan University. Like many of you, I'm new at Rowan and positively thrilled about the road ahead.

This year Rowan will become even more involved in its community while the campus develops into an ever better place to learn, live and work.

Along those lines, we eagerly await the inception this year of our College of Professional and Continuing Education, a new delivery system for bringing more avenues of education to more people. Taking advantage of existing faculty, classrooms, buildings and technology, CPCE will offer what we already have to a much wider public. Its core will be non-traditional students, men and women who have work and family obligations during the day but who seek to enhance their minds and careers at night, on weekends and on-line.

CPCE will help us establish a whole new paradigm for town-gown relations. As Glassboro becomes more prosperous, Rowan becomes more prosperous. As Rowan becomes more prosperous, the town becomes more prosperous. It's just that simple.

Our programs and disciplines continue to reflect the interests and needs of our students. For example, as Rowan evolves into a true 21st Century university we have several new undergraduate and graduate offerings for 2006-07 and are considering accelerated programs in which students may earn two undergraduate degrees in four years instead of just one.

Throughout the year I hope to meet many of you out and about. If you see me, please say hello. This is a great university with a wonderful, dedicated faculty and a beautiful campus. Considering all we offer -- and that we have access to some of the world's major cities within a short drive -- Rowan just may be the best educational value, dollar for dollar, in the region.

Rowan University is a jewel and I’m delighted to be a part of it. I hope and expect that you will be too.