President Link Sets New Precedent for Engagement at Drew

Although President Hilary Link only joined the Drew community this past July, she has made it abundantly clear just how invested she is in fully integrating herself. Students have not only seen, but spoken with her at a multitude of gatherings across a wide range of contexts. From athletic events to club activities to even the annual Commons Thanksgiving celebration, Link has shown her dedication to forming a relationship with Drew students. 

“Being on campus is the thing that brings me the most joy,” President Link said when asked about her interest in student engagement, “getting to meet the students where they’re at.” Although the conversation addressed a variety of hot-button issues, the focal point was to communicate Link’s main goals for the Drew community. 

Link has begun the consultation process of analyzing—through student and staff focus groups—the issues most dire to Drew’s current state. The intent of the consultation project, which will conclude in January, is to compile a concise, five-year plan on how these issues can be tackled. The inclusion of each step’s financial price is crucial for this plan.

“I didn’t want it to be ‘here are all the amazing things we could do,’” Link explained. “We’re trying to be very focused on financial sustainability so that we know that, into the future, we have the resources to invest in the infrastructure…whatever we decide to do will be financially viable now.” 

Drew students, from first-years to seniors, can understand the importance of weighing each step’s financial impact. Drew has long been struggling with financial instability, a problem which Link seems most intent to stabilize. 

Her second focus is going to be on properly establishing, in her words, what Drew is as a university. “What defines us?” she asked.

Link seems particularly interested in better integration of the three schools which exist on campus: undergraduate, graduate and theological. Although interaction between the three does occur, its occasionality leaves a connection perhaps waiting to be properly established. 

“For the potential advantage of our undergraduate students,” she said. “Here’s an idea: to be able to say ‘okay, I got my undergrad degree in sociology’—and I want to get my masters in divinity. You can combine those things here.”

Her third focus lies more in Drew’s relationship with Madison. Similar to the university’s financial stability, its connection to Madison has become strained over a series of miscommunications and debate—particularly about Drew’s Forest. 

Link is seeking to eliminate this antagonism and allow for a more beneficial, equal relationship to form in its place. “Historically there had always been a pretty good collaboration between Madison and Drew. This unfortunately faded away during the pandemic…” 

A strengthening of this relationship includes establishing Drew as an academic hub for those outside its campus population. “What could Drew be as a learning hub for people throughout their whole lifetime? For people who never went to Drew? Are there locals who might want to come back and do skill retraining – a certificate program, etcetera…how can we think broadly about new types of students and new types of partnerships so that we can be a place people locally look to to educate and engage themselves…”

Annabelle Smith is a sophomore double-majoring in media and communications and studio art.

Sierra Walker is a junior double-majoring in media and communications and marketing, with a minor in Spanish.

Featured image courtesy of the Drew University website.