2025 Newsletter

Leading this school has been the greatest honor of my career — and a heck of a lot of fun, too! My story is shared on page 25. While I will still carry on a few tasks in the geo-community, I look forward to returning home to northern New Mexico to share time with my husband Pete, hit some places on our bucket list, and hope that at least one of our five children chooses to procreate. As of the time of publication, we are still awaiting word on who my successor will be, but I am confident the new dean will be a top talent, ready to carry on our important work and lead us in new and exciting directions.

I am so proud of what the Jackson School leadership team has accomplished together during the past six years, including doubling our undergraduate enrollment. Many things came together to drive this growth: a flexible and modern new curriculum, investment in student research and classroom infrastructure, and a simply fabulous student affairs team. Young people are discovering that geoscience is critical to solving some of society’s greatest challenges, and they want to be part of it. See the feature on page 47 about how our environmental science major is also part of this story.

I share my goodbyes with the “Guad Father” himself, Professor Charlie Kerans. Enjoy a look back at Charlie’s career (page 57). Charlie mentored and led generations of geologists in the field, and he did pioneering work on carbonate systems and reservoirs. After 40-plus years of field work that required hiking, climbing, canoeing and diving, Charlie has entered a well-earned retirement. I hear he plans to do more hiking, climbing, canoeing and diving — and looking at more rocks!

To help weather the current storm surrounding federal funding for scientific research, the Jackson School is taking proactive steps to leverage our strengths to break out and lead in key research areas through our new Strategic Investment Plan. See the Q&A with Associate Dean for Research Michael Young on page 69 to learn more about it.

The Jackson School also celebrated its 20-year anniversary this year. A lot has changed over the years (page 37) but the mission remains the same: to pursue sustained leadership and the highest distinction in the geosciences. I feel privileged to have played my part in the school’s still-young existence. Every day, I see colleagues, staff and students applying their talents, reaching for that goal and working to advance us, collectively. I have been so privileged to share this adventure!

Best wishes to all!