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We Will Build a Better Future

On April 26, 2019, the day of my inauguration as Agnes Scott College’s ninth president, I was filled with pride and joy as I officially became a part of this incredible community. I knew Agnes Scott was a special place on my first visit to the campus and felt honored to have the privilege of being its new leader. In my address, I talked about all of the wonderful things about the college that drew me to it, and near the end of my remarks, I made this promise: “That I will treasure this opportunity. That I will love Agnes Scott as much as you do. That I will always remember the trust you all have placed in me.”

Today, I think about my promise more than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the world and the college in ways that none of us could have foreseen. I also think of that pledge when I reflect on the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and countless other Black people, which have impacted our country, college and community in ways we should have foreseen. At Agnes Scott, we emphasize the importance of leading everywhere, and in times of crisis, this means also leading through any challenges that may come our way and addressing the social challenges of our time.

During the spring semester, the college had to make some difficult decisions that greatly affected everyone in the Agnes Scott community. I recognize that it was not easy to learn, teach, work or stay connected remotely but because of the courage, creativity and commitment of our students, faculty, staff and alumnae, we were able to do so successfully. I thank everyone for the grace and resilience they have shown in adapting to the challenging situations brought on by the pandemic. I am inspired by the sacrifices people have been willing to make and their positive attitudes in making them, and I am touched by the many ways people have taken care of and supported each other. As Agnes Scott has navigated its way through the turbulent waters of the pandemic, we have seen examples of extraordinary leadership. In this issue of the magazine, you will be taken inside the college’s response to the crisis during this past semester, learn how several students took action, and get a glimpse of how we immediately engaged the long-standing social inequities exposed by the pandemic.

We saw these inequities compounded by the senseless deaths of George Floyd and others, which are heartbreaking and troubling signs of how racism remains pervasive in our country. As individuals who live honorably, we cannot — and should not — sit in silence as lives, dreams and opportunities are lost simply because of the color of a person’s skin. Instead, we must confront and condemn racism and injustice in all of its forms wherever it exists. We cannot “hope” for there to be equality; we have to do the hard and necessary work to create it. We have to hold each other and ourselves accountable, and for those of us in positions of power and privilege, we have to be fearless allies and advocates. We have shown that we can stand together to face a pandemic, and now we must stand together to address racism. I encourage you to stay connected with the college so that you can remain informed on what we are doing as an educational institution and caring community to fight racism and to support people of color within Agnes Scott and beyond.

With the ongoing pandemic and concern for Black lives, many of us are understandably experiencing pain, anger, frustration, anxiety and sadness. But just as you placed your trust in me when I became the president of this great institution, I am placing my trust in you as I make another promise: that we will face these challenges together, that we will remain steadfast in our mission and that we will build a better future.

— President Leocadia I. Zak

Leocadia I. Zak is the ninth president of Agnes Scott College. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Mount Holyoke College, which recognized her as a Woman of Influence in 2012, she holds a J.D. degree from Northeastern University School of Law.

The Engaging Social Challenges Series

The Gay Johnson McDougall Center for Global Diversity and Inclusion is hosting podcasts highlighting the social inequalities of the pandemic and webinars on courageous conversations about racism and hate. Visit agnesscott.edu.