So, what is next? Every day, we are hearing more and more about the COVID-19 vaccine. Will it allow the number of positive COVID-19 cases to drop? Will it withstand the multiple strains of the virus that have recently begun to pop up in the news? Either way, at Higher Education Institutions, we need to think about what is next.
I think a lot of people are hoping that we will see, in the near future, that we can return to our new “normal.” In person meetings, in person programs, greeting people with a handshake, and the list goes on. Will we have to wear masks, will we have to continue social distancing, and will we still have to limit the number of people who can be in an office at one time? Hopefully, there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Thinking back to a year ago to where we are now, I like to think there is some hope that we can get past this.
What resources will we need post COVID-19? Counseling Centers, Employee Assistance Programs, and supporting one another as colleagues will be more important than ever as we navigate our way out of the pandemic. A lot of institutions, and individuals, would not have made it through this process without leaning on others and sharing resources.
We have realized that virtual meetings and virtual conferences allow for resources to be more readily available and can be spread even further! We have learned we can function through a pandemic (even though I am sure we hope to never have to again). I think most importantly, we have learned to be grateful for what we do have. Whether that was being able to work from home to take care of family members, keeping your job while many people did not have that option, or whatever it may be for you. I encourage you to think about how you will move forward from here, and what can you take with you from this past year to ensure you, and your institution can continue persevering through anything that is thrown your way!