Student Affairs

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Message from the Vice President for Student Affairs and Administration 

Dear Hilltoppers,

As we approach the end of the semester, I find myself reflecting on this season of gratitude. Life on the Hilltop is busy with final projects and classes, and it can be easy to miss the small moments of connection.

This is a time to pause. It’s a chance to thank the people who support us, celebrate the friendships that ground us, and simply appreciate how far you’ve come since August.

In this spirit, I’m also deeply grateful for the hard work you do every day to build our Holy Cross community. This isn't always easy. Engaging across our differences—whether in a tough class discussion or in the residence halls—requires real moral courage. It asks us to practice essential skills:

• Engaging respectfully and listening to learn from others, not just to respond.
• Asking sincere questions to truly understand their perspective.
• Starting from common ground, no matter how small.
• Using your resources and processes for support and guidance.

These skills are as valuable on campus as they are when you head home. The holidays often bring together loved ones with different views. Meeting those moments with a desire to listen and understand can build bridges at the table, just as it does here.

I hope you find time during this break to rest, reflect, and reconnect with family, friends, and yourself. Whether you are traveling or staying near campus, please know how grateful we are to have you as part of our Hilltop community.

Wishing you a peaceful and restorative break,

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Lisa L. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Administration