A number of individuals have commented on University President Thomas LeBlanc’s performance this spring.
LeBlanc wrote in an email Wednesday that more than 350 faculty, students and officials provided feedback on his progress through interviews and open forums over the past semester. The comments come months after officials launched the first two-year review of LeBlanc to help him detect his strengths and weaknesses since he first assumed his post.
Officials held six in-person feedback sessions and online forums – two for students and four for faculty and staff – for the GW community to weigh in on LeBlanc’s performance. Sally Mason, a senior fellow at the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities, assisted officials in the review as an outside consultant.
“I want to thank the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mason and everyone who participated in this process,” LeBlanc said in the email. “The feedback I have received is invaluable and I will strive to be responsive.”
LeBlanc wrote that the GW community wants him to continue assembling his leadership team. Multiple searches for directors and deans of different schools are in different stages of the process.
Those who participated in the assessment said they hope LeBlanc will “continue to be a visible and ‘transparent'” communicator. Staff, faculty and students said LeBlanc should continue to hold listening sessions beyond his review period, he wrote.
“The GW community was appreciative of the opportunity to offer feedback and is anxious that the president take this feedback seriously,” LeBlanc said in the email.
LeBlanc said individuals urged him to find more opportunities to partner with officials in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Medical Faculty Association and trustees “to secure a stronger future for the medical enterprise.”
Officials announced last month that the University and MFA restructured its relationship to grant GW more decision-making power while maintaining the MFA’s independence.
Several stakeholders in the review also said there is a “window of opportunity” to revisit the University’s budget, LeBlanc said. The board passed a $1 billion operating budget last May to fund LeBlanc’s top five priorities, including philanthropy and alumni engagement.
“Transparent communication about University resources and their allocation are welcome and should continue, especially in the context of a new strategic plan,” LeBlanc wrote.
