2020-2021 Messages
- At the Heart of All We Do – In her “Sounding Board” column for Macalester Today, President Rivera writes about the academic excellence that defines Macalester. (July 26, 2021)
- Student Summer Research and Internship Experiences – Traditionally, Macalester students have taken part in many different kinds of rewarding summer experiences, from collaborative research opportunities with faculty members to immersive internships in communities in the Twin Cities and around the globe. What are those experiences looking like this summer? (July 14, 2021)
- What We’re Learning from Offering Summer Classes – This year, for the first time, Macalester offered a “summer module.” Initially conceived to provide students with an opportunity to catch up if they fell behind due to COVID-related factors, we have discovered that this flexible offering is popular with students and is creating new opportunities for collaboration between faculty and staff… (June 17, 2021)
- Violence and Human Rights in Palestine and Israel – The increased violence over the last few weeks in Israel and Palestine is deeply upsetting. Some Mac students and alumni have been affected personally. Other members of the Mac community who live in the U.S. have loved ones currently in danger… (May 24, 2021)
- Looking Forward with Hope – In her “Sounding Board” column for Macalester Today, President Rivera reflects on celebrating the Class of 2021 this spring and preparing to welcome the Class of 2025 this fall. (April 23, 2021)
- The Work Continues – I write to acknowledge that we each may be experiencing many emotions tonight. We may feel relief that, in this case, our legal system has delivered some sense of justice. But we also may feel sadness because the guilty verdicts will not restore George Floyd’s family. We may feel anger because we know so many others have been harmed by systems of oppression that continue to perpetrate cruel consequences in our country. We may feel exhausted when we hear some say they think “the work is done” when, in fact, we know the work is only beginning… (April 20, 2021)
- Status of student divestment/financial transparency proposal – In February, I received a proposal from two students who are former Fossil Free Macalester members. The proposal calls for the college to divest from Enbridge Energy in protest of the Line 3 oil pipeline expansion project, and to strive for financial transparency with the Macalester community… (April 20, 2021)
- Macalester Mourns the Loss of Walter F. Mondale ’50 – Tonight we mourn an immense loss and reflect on an incredible legacy: former Vice President Walter F. Mondale ’50 has died at the age of 93. Beginning 75 years ago when Macalester’s Class of 1950 elected him freshman class president, Vice President Mondale dove wholeheartedly into a vibrant life of public service and leadership… (April 19, 2021)
- This Week – This week, like far too many weeks this year, will be heavy and grief-laden, particularly for Black members of our community. We appreciate the many students, faculty, and staff who are coming together to support each other. It is especially important that faculty and staff continue to show flexibility, grace, and compassion by allowing students to take the time they need, in the way they need, at this difficult time… (April 19, 2021)
- Grief and Outrage at the Killing of Daunte Wright – I write this morning to share my grief and acknowledge the fresh pain that so many members of our community are feeling after the killing of Daunte Wright by law enforcement in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota yesterday. We mourn with Mr. Wright’s family and we stand with them. We know this new trauma adds to the pain already experienced so deeply in our community— especially by Black members of our community… (April 12, 2021)
- Violence Against AAPI Community – Yesterday’s deadly and abhorrent attacks in Georgia are deeply upsetting and frightening but, sadly, are not surprising. We know these events will be especially troubling for members of the Mac community who identify as Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI). We see you and we stand with you. Over the last year, we have seen in this country an increase in violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. We are deeply concerned that these hate crimes appear motivated by the toxic combination of prejudice and the deliberate promotion of misinformation about the genesis of the COVID-19 pandemic… (March 17, 2021)
- Preparing for the Trial of Derek Chauvin – The trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd, begins on Monday. As the Twin Cities and the country prepare for one of the most significant police brutality trials in our nation’s history, I’m reaching out to all of you to acknowledge the difficult emotions this trial will raise, and to share the ways we’re preparing and supporting each other as a campus community. To begin, I want to affirm clearly and unequivocally Macalester’s commitments to racial equity and to justice…. (March 4, 2021)
- Update on Equity and Anti-racism Initiatives – We are in the second week of February and, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I want to acknowledge that the observances and events are important but not sufficient to achieve our equity and anti-racism goals. Macalester continues to do the important work of self-assessment with a focus on identifying opportunities to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff on our campus and to foster a culture of inclusion in which each member of this community can thrive and flourish…. (February 8, 2021)
- Partnership with The Posse Foundation – I am pleased to announce Macalester’s partnership with The Posse Foundation, an organization with a strong record of recruiting and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, and working with college and university partners to offer these students access to and support for an outstanding college experience… (January 26, 2021)
- Practicing Gratitude – In her “Sounding Board” column for Macalester Today, President Rivera expresses gratitude for the Macalester community. (January 25, 2021)
- Welcome to Module 3 – Despite the many challenges we still face, I am encouraged by the excitement of fresh beginnings as our campus reopens for the spring semester, and as our country turns a page with new leadership. There were many remarkable aspects of yesterday’s inauguration ceremonies… (January 21, 2021)
- Statement in Response to January 6 Violence in Washington, D.C. – Like many of you, I watched in horror this afternoon as our federal government was attacked. It was a frightening spectacle the likes of which I never imagined we would see in the U.S. Despite the many ways our country sometimes falls short of its ideals, until today I believed that the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power was a reliable feature of our democracy… (January 6, 2021)
- As We Wrap Up Module 2 – As we end Module 2, if you’re like me, you’re probably feeling relief. This has been a challenging, pressure-filled fall semester that required huge adjustments in the way we did almost everything. The pace of the module system has been grueling for many of us. Navigating life during a pandemic while being separated from each other and from many of our support systems has produced a lot of anxiety. It’s been really hard. But, together, we did it. And I’m proud of us… (December 18, 2020)
- Update on Racial Justice Work – Earlier this week, the college shared the announcement about being a founding member of the Liberal Arts College Racial Equity Leadership Alliance (LACRELA). This work is part of our broader commitment as an institution to racial equity. In June, I shared with you the college’s commitment to racial justice and my plan to advance that work. Today, I’m sharing an update with you on our racial justice work… (November 11, 2020)
- Supporting Students Who Protest Peacefully – It has come to my attention that the college’s support of student engagement in civil disobedience has caused a stir. Indeed, my office has received numerous angry calls, emails, and even a threat of violence in response to my tweets this morning. I want to tell the Macalester community in no uncertain terms where I stand: peaceful protest is patriotic. It is our duty in this democracy to make our views known. This is true at the ballot box, in our classrooms, and beyond the walls of the campus… (November 5, 2020)
- Reflecting on the Election – Yesterday, we witnessed an historic election that felt very different from previous ones for a variety of reasons including the global pandemic, a very divided electorate, organized voter suppression, and worries about the potential for violence. Many of us watched late into the night as results were announced, and we continue to watch, knowing that fundamental questions of equity, freedom, justice, and safety are on the line, especially for the most vulnerable among us … (November 4, 2020)
- Ever the Same – In her “Sounding Board” column for Macalester Today, President Rivera writes about the parts of the Macalester experience that remain unchanged, despite changes brought by the pandemic. (October 21, 2020)
- Make a Plan to Vote – The upcoming presidential election is on November 3rd. I write today to encourage each of you to make a plan to vote. This election is an opportunity for each of us to have a say in the future of our country. Indeed, each of us who can vote bears a solemn responsibility to cast a ballot… (October 2, 2020)
- Update to Campus About Anti-racism Work – Many individuals and groups at Macalester have continued advancing initiatives to increase equity and inclusion on our campus, and to reduce racism and social inequality in the Twin Cities and around the world. While much of that work has been done by students and faculty, I write today to provide updates on a few of the initiatives that are underway within the college’s administrative divisions and offices…. (September 16, 2020)
- When it Counts – In her “Sounding Board” column for Macalester Today, President Rivera reflects on the challenges of her first summer at Macalester, and the energy with which the community has met those challenges. (August 17, 2020)
- Response to July 28 DACA Actions – I am writing to inform you about federal government actions taken today to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We are outraged by these actions and we worry about the impact they will have on Macalester’s undocumented students… (July 28, 2020)
- Minnesota Opportunity Scholarship Fund – One hallmark of Macalester is a deep belief in putting ideas into action. Today, we are launching the Minnesota Opportunity Scholarship Fund. The initial contribution approved by the Board of Trustees is a gift of $250,000 in George Floyd’s memory. Managed by Macalester and awarded to Macalester students, this endowed fund will help Macalester sustain and build on its commitment to access for generations to come… (July 16, 2020)
- Response to ICE Reversal of International Student Guidance – I am thrilled to learn that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reversed its recent guidance, and hope today’s news provides some measure of comfort for our international students, many of whom have spent the past week in needless fear and uncertainty… (July 14, 2020)
- Support for International Students in the Wake of ICE Ruling – As you know, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance on Monday, July 6 to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that would remove temporary exemptions for international students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester, and would bar them from entering or remaining in the country if their fall classes are taught exclusively online… (July 11, 2020)
- Macalester College Response to ICE Guidance – This week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued guidance regarding immigration requirements for international students who hold F-1 visas that allow them to study at U.S. colleges and universities. The guidance would bar these students from entering or remaining in the country if their fall classes will be taught exclusively online… (July 9, 2020)
- Observance of Juneteenth Holiday – Friday, June 19th, is Juneteenth, a state holiday in Minnesota (and in 47 other states) that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. Some in our community have observed the Juneteenth holiday for many years; some are just beginning to understand its significance… (June 16, 2020)
- Racial Justice Initiatives – While the COVID-19 pandemic created difficulties none of us could have imagined when I was offered this job back in January, the events of the last few weeks have shaken us all to the core. I think this would be a good time for me to address unequivocally Macalester College’s position… (June 15, 2020)
- A Message from Dr. Rivera – I write on this first day of my Presidency to acknowledge the outrage, despair, and grief we all are feeling over the murder of Mr. George Floyd. I also acknowledge the pain caused by persistent and sinister injustices in our society, as well as the havoc wreaked in the Twin Cities and across the country… (June 1, 2020)
Meet Dr. Rivera
Dr. Rivera talks about her background and describes what drew her to Macalester College.
Meet Dr. Rivera
Dr. Rivera talks about her background and describes what drew her to Macalester College.