Post by Shane Sutherland

It's the day after the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU) gathering of Undergraduate Vice Provosts (UVPs) and I'm the last person left in San Antonio (if you don't count the many thousands descending on the city for the US' largest Día de los Muertos celebrations). What a privilege to have been invited to spend two days in the company of this inspiring group of people, all working towards a common goal, summed up in many ways by Heather Shipley, Ph.D. in her opening address on strengthening and communicating the value of undergraduate education. How refreshing to be at an event where impactful, engaged learning was both the theme and the method - where presentations took the back seat to stimulating conversations. And what conversations they were, on world readiness, STEM education reform, student success and thriving, curriculum reform and an excellent session from Norman Jones on institutional strategies and campus-wide learning outcomes for Generative AI. Our excellent hosts were The University of Texas at San Antonio, who shared the seriously impressive work they have done, and continue to do to support student retention, progression and achievement. Thank you. And thank you also to the warm and wonderful UERU team, and all of the UVPs who so generously allowed me and Andrew Taylor to join your conversations.