As we head into another academic year, I am contemplating two competing truths: things in the U.S. feel heavier than ever, yet I remain committed to the work I have been doing for over 25 years. I may be even more committed than I ever have been.

The political landscape is exhausting. We are witnessing attacks on education, equity, freedom, and truth. Diversity initiatives have been gutted. Libraries have been censored. At some colleges and universities, faculty have been told to stay quiet and conform. At the national level, cruelty is being normalized, and the loudest voices are those trying to scare us. If you care deeply about justice, education, and the well-being of marginalized communities, this moment can feel overwhelming. Yet, students will be at our campuses this Fall. Faculty and staff must mentor, teach, research, build, resist, and create. Our work will continue.

I have been thinking about what it means to persevere without becoming numb. I have also been grappling with how to stay engaged without letting the urgency of everything steal our joy. I keep telling people across my communities that joy is not a distraction. It is a way to stay alive in our work and as human beings. 

As we move into the new academic year, I am hoping that we can remember a few things:

Clarity of values 
I always return to the basics when the noise gets loud: What do I believe? What are my values? What does integrity look like in this moment? If we don’t answer these questions ourselves, someone else will answer them for us, and these answers may not align with our purpose.

Community 
Our work does not need to be done alone. We need emotional support as well as opportunities to build together. We are stronger together. 

Boundaries 
We cannot be everything to everyone. Remember that not every meeting is essential; most are unnecessary. Remember that not every crisis is yours to fix. If our work is sustainable, we must make room for rest. We have to breathe.

Joy 
We have to embrace joy. I am going to keep saying this as it is essential right now. We’re allowed to feel both joy and anger about what is happening in the nation. We may need both emotions at the moment.

Purpose 
There is considerable change right now. However, we can still persevere in terms of our purpose. The moment we are living in demands more of our creativity, our compassion, and our courage. Remember that staying committed to purpose is a form of protest. 

I urge you to enter this next academic year with intention and a commitment to helping each other thrive. We need each other now more than ever.