Dean's Message

Dean’s Letter

“We hold our vision of a thriving, sustainable, and just future in Boston and beyond as steady as ever.”

Dear Alumni and Friends:

“How can we make a difference?”

It’s a question I hear again and again from our passionate and accomplished alumni. Whether they earned their degree from historic Wheelock College, BU’s School of Education, or the inspiring college we now call BU Wheelock, our alumni are always the first to roll up their sleeves and set out to improve the world around us. Stepping into the deanship in 2024, I was energized by the opportunity to join a community dedicated to transforming the systems that impact learning and human development. This year has only deepened my admiration for the passion and commitment of our alumni, students, faculty, and staff—the difference makers who comprise our BU Wheelock family.

Throughout this year of unprecedented challenges, many of you have written to express your appreciation of our steadfast commitment to our mission. As I write this, we continue to face the impact of federal funding cuts that threaten the critical work of making systems more equitable and improving the lives of children and families. Some of the work most at risk, such as the PBS children’s programming that BU Wheelock faculty and alumni help create, is highlighted in this very issue of BU Wheelock.

Despite these challenges, our faculty, staff, and students work tirelessly in schools, communities, and policy arenas, dismantling barriers and creating pathways for success. Our research continues to break new ground, generating insights that change lives and reshape how we understand human development and learning. Our scholars are addressing society’s most pressing challenges with the rigor and compassion that define our college. This work has never been more critical, and your voices amplify our impact in ways we could never achieve alone.

As we marshal our resources to advance equity, support and empower students, continue to conduct life-changing research, and face whatever challenges are yet to come, we hold our vision of a thriving, sustainable, and just future in Boston and beyond as steady as ever. Here at BU Wheelock, we are not merely adapting to change, we are leading it, guided by the values you helped establish. Together, we are making a difference.

Sincerely,

Penny A. Bishop
Dean