President’s Message: Welcome, Panthers, to the Fall Semester!
The following message was also distributed by email to UPEI students, faculty, and staff on October 9, 2025.
Dear UPEI Community,
September marked more than just the start of our academic year; it began a season of momentum. As summer gives way to fall, we settle into new rhythms, take on fresh challenges, and embrace the possibilities ahead.
It is an exciting time of change at UPEI. We are reimagining how we deliver education that prepares our graduates for a rapidly changing and complex world. Through innovation in teaching, research, and community engagement, we’re creating experiences that will shape not only the future of our university, but also the impact we make far beyond our campus. Soon, we will launch our new strategic plan, a roadmap that will guide UPEI’s direction and ambition over the next five years.
UPEI is in a period of culture change. We are committed to fostering a university environment built on trust, safety, and inclusion, where every member of our community can contribute and thrive. Now in year two of our six-year UPEI Action Plan, we’re beginning to see tangible progress. Change of this scale takes time, discipline, and shared accountability. Like a sailboat adjusting its sails to shifting winds, we’ll continue to adapt along the way. But our commitment to the Action Plan, and to being transparent about our progress, will not waver.
This fall, we’ve already started strong.
Welcome Week was a vibrant and inclusive celebration, setting the tone for the year ahead.
UPEI Homecoming, held from September 19–27, was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, share ideas, and celebrate our shared achievements.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make both events a meaningful celebration.
In the weeks ahead, there will be many opportunities to connect, share ideas, and celebrate our collective achievements.
Thank you for the care, energy, and leadership you bring to our community. Together, we are building a stronger UPEI, one that embraces change with purpose and looks to the future with confidence.
As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I invite everyone to think about gratitude and how we can make the path a little easier for even one other person. I also invite everyone to share the experience of the beautiful fall colours and take some time for personal rest and recreation.
With best wishes,
Wendy
