Letter from Academic Affairs

Dear Students,

The start of a new academic year is always filled with optimism and excitement about what the coming months will bring at Keuka College. This year is no exception, and the faculty and staff of the College are thrilled to help you achieve your goals and thrive in our community this year.

As Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, I provide leadership for all things graduation related: graduate and undergraduate programs, Field Period®, and the Compass Curriculum, the Honors Program, the Faculty, advising, the library, academic and personal wellness student support, thought-provoking special events, and academic ceremonies and celebrations. All of this is done by the College’s faculty and staff to ensure you have a rich, vibrant, and supportive student learning experience while you attend Keuka College so you can earn your degree while developing social and professional skills to carry you confidently out into your career and the next chapter of your life.

Speaking of preparing you for the future, you are a college student at a very interesting moment in global history. The world is (metaphorically) shrinking because of social media which allows people, both near and far, to engage quickly – and sometimes irresponsibly. An endless supply of information is constantly at your fingertips, both when you are in the library and when you are anywhere else if you have your smartphone in your hand – but it does not mean that information is always correct, so you need to check your sources. As Spider-Man said, “with great power comes great responsibility” – in case you were unaware, Spidey stole that idea from Voltaire and his contemporaries’ philosophical arguments about justice, tolerance, and power– and I am challenging you now to use the technological powers that are available to you responsibly and with kindness, as well as to help you learn deeply and broadly during your time at Keuka College.

If you are wondering what I mean, I mean this: use social media to build people up rather than tear them down and use generative artificial intelligence (AI) appropriately to increase your understanding of your course material rather than take shortcuts that will help you turn in assignments but not gain the knowledge you were seeking when you applied to Keuka College. The College has conduct policies related to these two things that you can read in this Handbook and in The College Record, but that is not my point.

What I hope you will take away from this welcome letter is that we believe in you and your ability to be the best version of yourself (without any hotheaded social media posts or turning in any prohibited AI generated class assignments – both of which you may later regret – that other college students have been known to do from time to time) while you at the College. Remember that you are not alone on your Keuka College journey and we promise to help you whenever you ask for assistance. The College’s faculty and staff will be with you every step of the way, including cheering for you as you walk at Commencement.

Go do great things!

Heather Maldonado, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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Student Handbook 2025-2026