 Hello, Catamount families. We have just a few days to go before many students will be heading home for winter break. It's been an incredible semester, and students have been so purposeful in making this campus community vibrant in the context of the ongoing pandemic. I'm standing outside the Howe Library right now, which is full of students preparing for their last exams and finishing final papers, and their commitment to learning and living together in person has been extraordinary. Many of you will be welcoming home a student who last year spent a lot of time at home. Here, they've established or re-established some pretty big freedoms. Coming home, you may see new routines, new identities, and new ideas. This can be unexpected when we think we know and understand our young adults already, and it's important to make space for these changes when they're back home. So, how do you support continuing growth? One of the primary ways is by offering open-ended questions, and a question such as, what class did you find yourself most drawn to? Can be a great starting point for reflection about this semester and the future. Many students find they're thriving in spaces outside academics, in student government, activism, club activities, and this is all nourishment for their growth. They're being held up by their peers in participating and feeling included in ways that are new and affirming. A question such as, where do you feel like you're really fully yourself can lead to a conversation about choice-making next semester or a potential life trajectory, and your choice to listen deeply is a gift to your student. Keeping an ear out for what brings your student joy and energy will help them synthesize all they're experiencing, and your curiosity lets them know that you respect and understand and want to engage with them in this journey. College is a concentrated time of growth. Here at UVM, our appreciation for that growth never stops, and we are so grateful to you for sharing your amazing students with us, and for your commitment and partnership in their journey. Have a great winter break.