Dear Faculty Colleagues,
As we move into the heart of summer, I want to express my deep appreciation for your continued commitment to our students, your scholarship, and our broader university community. Your work is at the core of Case Western Reserve University’s strength—and this past year has offered many moments of shared success, thanks to your extraordinary efforts.
Outstanding Outcomes for the Class of 2024
The Career Center’s First Destination Survey shows how our students are navigating an evolving landscape with ambition and success. It is clear that our students remain highly competitive, something that would not be possible without your support.
- 96% of students secured plans in employment or advanced education upon graduation.
- 42% pursued advanced education, with impressive acceptance rates to graduate programs.
- 73% accepted to MD programs, far surpassing the national average of 47%.
- 100% accepted into programs in dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, and law.
A Strong Endorsement from the Higher Learning Commission
We expect to receive final confirmation of our reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission this July. The review team was overwhelmingly positive about the university and praised several key strengths, including:
- Strong faculty engagement and a deep commitment to academic quality.
- Strong academic advising, extensive support services, and vibrant co-curricular opportunities for students.
- Research contributions that advance the discovery and application of knowledge and the overall public good.
- An experienced leadership team aligned with the priorities of the president and provost.
This positive outcome highlights your dedication to our shared mission, and I am deeply grateful to all of you who contribute to our collective success.
Deepening Dialogue Across Campus
This year, we expanded opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and perspectives.
- Our inaugural Provost’s Forum for Breaking Boundaries brought together over 450 attendees to explore the intersections of humanities and technology. With keynote speaker Rishi Jaitly and 17 faculty lightning talks, the event highlighted the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration. We welcome your ideas for future events.
- Our Critical Conversations series continued to foster thoughtful dialogue on pressing issues. This year’s five sessions drew more than 300 participants to discuss topics such as affordable housing, civility and mental health.
Coming Together to Celebrate Achievement
This year’s convocation ceremony saw one of our largest platform parties in recent memory, with 60 faculty in attendance—up 22% from last year. We also welcomed increased participation from both undergraduate and graduate students. Thank you for showing up so meaningfully to support our graduates—your presence matters deeply.
National Recognition for Faculty Excellence
Case Western Reserve has recently been named the #19 U.S. college with the best professors. As provost, I am not at all surprised. This honor affirms what our students and colleagues already know: Our faculty are among the most dedicated, impactful and inspiring in higher education.
Sustaining Access to Teaching Tools that Work
In an effort strengthen the undergraduate educational experience, faculty can now look forward to continued access to two widely used instructional technologies—Poll Everywhere and Gradescope—which have become highly beneficial to teaching and learning. Read more about these tools in The Daily.
Elevating CWRU’s Global Reputation
As you prepare publications or public-facing work, I have one simple and ongoing request. Please use the appropriate primary affiliation exactly as it appears below:
- Case Western Reserve University
- Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- The MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
This unified approach helps elevate our global profile and ensures collective credit for all that you do. Further guidance is available on my website.
We know that higher education is undergoing profound change. These are uncertain times—but we are facing them together. Through strong leadership and collaboration, we are working to position Case Western Reserve University for future success and continued progress. I am deeply grateful to all of you for how you contribute to this mission every day.
I wish you a restoring and fulfilling summer!
Warmly,
Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President