Announcing the President’s Task Force Members

Dear KAUST Community,

I am pleased to announce the members of the President’s Task Force which will focus on community, arts and cultural activities and events. Over 120 community members submitted their volunteer applications and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to share their ideas on how we can continue building a vibrant community life. The members of the Task Force are (alphabetical list):

• Fadi Alaseri, KAUST School—Harbor Secondary School
• Nouf Adel Alsaleh, Facilities and Community
• Moody Altamimi, Office of Competitive Research Funds
• Solkem N’Gangbet Arold, Community Member
• Shaun Ashley, Community Member
• Anan Al Sabban, Facilities and Community—Contracts
• Marie-Laure Boulot, Winter Enrichment Program
• Michelle D’Antoni, Communications
• Lomaa Ghryani, 11th Grade Student, KAUST School
• Laurence Hapiot, Community Member
• Richard Hawkins, Service Provider
• Scott Herrington, KAUST School—Safaa Gardens Secondary School
• Martin Ibarra, Graduate Student, Biological & Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division
• Xabier Irigoien, Director, Red Sea Research Center
• Khurram S Joya, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Catalysis Center
• Wendy Keyes, Office of the Arts
• Petrina Marks, Human Resources
• Lauratu Osu, Economic Development
• Temille Porter, Graduate Affairs
• Claire Sale, Community Member
• Gerard Schuster, Professor, Earth Sciences and Engineering
• Chao Shen, Graduate Student, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division
• Chin Chin Sia, Office of Competitive Research Funds
• Vladimir Simic, KAUST Museum
• Jerry Daniel Thomas, Human Resources
• Debra Carlson Wood, Saudi Initiatives

As you can see, the members of the Task Force come from all parts of KAUST—some have lived here for five years and others arrived less than a year ago. They come from diverse backgrounds and will bring different perspectives on life at KAUST. I was impressed with the quality of applications we received; we clearly have people who are proud to live and/or work at KAUST.

I would like to also thank a group of individuals who joined me in ensuring that the Task Force was launched—Mutleb K. Al-Shammeri, Trish Hughes, Samia O. Falimban, Jim Calvin, Maddy Hewitt and Sulaiman M. Thunayan. They were instrumental in reviewing the applications and offering their suggestions to bring together a diverse, engaged and productive group. It was a difficult decision to limit ourselves to only 26 people, but we worked hard to bring together a group whose collaborative efforts would bring out the best for everyone.

The work of the Task Force will begin immediately under the leadership of three community members whose energy, passion and focus will bring together the collective power to advance good ideas forward. They are:

• Scott Herrington, Chair
MYP/DP Humanities Department Head/Teacher, CIS/NEASC Accreditation Chair
The KAUST School – Safaa Gardens Campus

• Nouf A. Alsaleh, Vice-Chair
Policy Coordinator, Facilities and Community

• Claire Sale, Vice-Chair
Community Advocate

As a reminder, the Task Force will have two key goals: (1) gain broad community input about activities and events that can enrich the community experience at KAUST; and (2) recommend ways we can support and enhance coordination and communication of existing and future activities and events.

I anticipate that the Task Force will bring together good ideas from the community and draft recommendations that are diverse and thoughtful. The Task Force will also review what we currently do, and ask the questions: what is missing and how can we improve? Finally, I have expressed my desire to Scott, Nouf and Claire that the Task Force should use their networks and relationships to reach into the community for ideas and input. Whether it is through focus groups, community meetings, or simply gathering their friends for coffee and conversation—the engagement should be robust and open to all.

While the Task Force is not meant to serve as the answer for all the community life needs, it does represent another step in our journey forward and could serve as a future model of how we deepen community ownership and engagement. I encourage those who did not get selected to stay connected to the work of the Task Force; your voice is an important contribution as we continue making progress.

Congratulations again to our Task Force members, I know you will serve your neighbors, fellow colleagues, and friends at KAUST with integrity, dedication and community pride.

I am grateful for everyone’s commitment to building upon our momentum to make KAUST not just a good place to learn, live and work; but a GREAT university and community for everyone.

Yours in service,

Jean-Lou