Message From the Dean — August 2018


August 1, 2018

Dear GWSB Community,

Following my arrival in Washington, D.C. one month ago, I am energized by the rhythms and pulse of our campus and its surrounding Foggy Bottom neighborhood. I'm enjoying experiencing what draws students, faculty and staff to GWSB.

The walk to my Duquès Hall office each day (despite the heat!) affords me the chance to cross paths with busy professionals as they hustle to work at government agencies, international organizations and think tanks in the area. This corner of D.C. has an energy all its own — one that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. I’m eager for my family to join me here soon so we can explore this fascinating city together.

I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with many faculty and staff already, and I’m impressed with their work and their passion for the school and our programs. My meetings with the board of advisors and our alumni have given me confidence that GWSB has — and will always have — an esprit de corps as its guiding light. And the determination of faculty and staff who share my commitment to always putting students’ interests first will serve as a solid foundation for a successful future.

I also discovered that our staff has a work-hard/play-hard ethic as we took to the bowling lanes of Pinstripes Bowling & Bocce in Georgetown for GWSB’s annual staff appreciation day. There is a camaraderie among them that is heartening and reassuring, and some of them are so respectful that they made a special effort not to outscore their dean (which really took some doing, believe me).

 

photo - GWSB Dean Anuj Mehrotra bowling
Dean Anuj Mehrotra and staff handing out strikes at our annual #GWSB staff appreciation event.

 

Whether in sit-down meetings or informal chats — or on the bowling lanes — each of these encounters was informative and, above all, energizing. I have always found that open communication is the key to success in any team effort. I have received a lot of valuable input from my interactions with the people of GWSB. I hope the feeling is mutual. Let’s keep the lines of communication open.

To that end, I’ve been working with our marketing and communications team to develop the most effective and efficient ways for us to share news, information and ideas. We’re in the process of updating and redesigning the GWSB website and have significantly stepped up our social media activity on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. What are your thoughts on how we can best stay in touch? I welcome your feedback.

Again, I’m very grateful for the warm reception I’ve received from everyone at GWSB, and I am very much looking forward to the start of the fall semester in a few weeks when we get to welcome our students to campus. I’m excited to be here and eager to start our work together to make GWSB the best it can be.

image - Dean Anuj Mehrotra signature

Anuj Mehrotra, Ph.D.

Dean