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About
President's Message
As a grandchild of immigrants and having grown up as a minority in the USA, I have developed a deep appreciation for the transformative power of higher education, both as an intrinsic value and a catalyst for socio-economic mobility. I am honored, excited, and moved to be the new president of HAC. I am proud to lead an organization dedicated to fostering life-long learning opportunities for a culturally diverse community.
I want to thank Prof. Fridlender for his 12 years of presidency. Under his leadership, HAC has grown to be the premier college in Jerusalem, with a reputation for academic excellence and accessibility to a diverse student body, many of whom are first-generation to higher education. His contributions include establishing a Research and Development Center, an International Department, a career center, and opening many undergraduate and graduate departments.
My extensive tenure at HAC, including roles such as Chair of the Faculty of Science, Health and Society, Chair of the Department of Optometry, Director of the M. Optom. program, and Member of the Board of Directors, has prepared me to blend development with continuity. I believe in a culture of respect, empowerment, and open communication, encouraging faculty and students to excel while maintaining strong, positive relationships.
The strength and value of HAC lie in its academic and administrative faculty as well as our students. With your support and hard work, we will maintain and enhance academic excellence and innovation. I am committed to faculty and staff professional development and encourage continuous learning and growth both individually and as a community. I invite you to share ideas and be involved in decision-making.
My vision for HAC is to evolve into a dynamic ecosystem that fosters professional growth, multidisciplinary pedagogical innovation, applied research, and economic development. This ecosystem will benefit our academic and administrative faculty, students, and alumni. We will aim to equip our graduates with versatile skills essential for lifelong professional development in an ever-evolving global landscape. The college will be dedicated to creating a nurturing, personalized learning environment, positioning itself as a beacon for social and economic leadership.
We have many challenges ahead, including the aftermath of the Iron Swords war and changes in our relationship with the Hadassah Women’s Organization. I am confident that together we will meet these challenges.
I look forward to the journey ahead and am happy to embark on this journey with you. My door is open, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Prof. Ariela Gordon-Shaag
President
