“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” — Epictetus Dear Colleagues, This year marked a period of sustained effort in scholarship. Rather than measuring the year only by outcomes or appointments, I wanted to reflect on what was built, honored, and sustained with intention. I continued to show up as an independent scholar and writer, remaining committed to research, public scholarship, and thoughtful engagement with complex questions. 2025 reaffirmed that consistency, integrity, and alignment often matter more than speed. The year began with my first campus visit interview, where I delivered a teaching demonstration on”the good, the bad, and the ugly” of the foreign aid conundrum. I left that campus hopeful and…