Rollins Celebrates New Era with Service, Scholarship, and Connection

An inauguration marks an important moment in an institution’s story. At Rollins, that moment unfolded over the course of multiple days, shaped by the people and experiences that define the College and its mission. Reflecting Rollins’ foundational commitments to academic excellence, service, leadership, and community, the events served as both a celebration and statement of purpose. In her inaugural address, President Brooke Barnett pledged to focus on students, champion faculty teaching and scholarship, and strengthen community ties—priorities that came to life through moments of celebration and connection and offered a shared vision of how Rollins prepares students to lead meaningful lives and productive careers.

Life Is for Service

Service is a defining value of a Rollins education. In anticipation of the inauguration, the Day of Service offered a memorable opportunity for the Rollins community to come together and honor this central pillar of our mission. In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and United Against Poverty, Tars helped pack 540 boxes, assemble over 11,000 meals, and support the organizations’ grocery and thrift stores, demonstrating the tangible impact of collective action.

“What a gift to reflect what we see in others that they may not yet see in themselves. This year I have been honored to hear so many stories about students finding and honing their own passions through the help of our wonderful faculty and staff.” — President Brooke Barnett

Academic Excellence in Action

The Scholarship Showcase highlighted the intellectual rigor and curiosity that drive the Rollins experience. Featuring the work of students, including collaborations with faculty and Bonner Leaders capstone research, projects covered everything from studies of self-compassion to analyses of political instability to explorations of art therapy’s impact on mental health. Collectively, they represent a rich body of scholarship grounded in real-world problems and committed to community impact.

“You [students] are the reason we are here and why I do what I do. I will keep you at the forefront of my mind as I make decisions. I care deeply about your experience and will invest my whole self to make Rollins the best it can be for you.” — President Brooke Barnett

Leadership at the Center

The inauguration ceremony itself captured both tradition and change as it marked a new chapter in Rollins’ 140-year history. The ceremony opened with interfaith reflections from faculty and students, offering prayers of peace, light, and wisdom as Barnett began her tenure.

Greetings from across the Rollins community and beyond emphasized her collaborative leadership style and the strong partnerships already forming between Barnett, the College, and the broader Central Florida community. Friends, former colleagues, mentors, and Barnett’s family— her husband, Tom Mould, and children, Lily and Jack—reflected on the qualities that have defined her life and leadership: curiosity, compassion, integrity, sense of humor, and deep commitment to helping others thrive. Rick Goings, chairman of the Rollins Board of Trustees, led the formal investiture, officially installing Barnett as the College’s 16th president.

“Rollins has secured a president who leads with fierce courage and unfaltering kindness,” says Leo M. Lambert, president emeritus of Elon University. “President Barnett is aspirational and willing to do the hard things that are necessary for an institution to thrive. ... She is the kind of leader we should uphold to young people and say, ‘Be like her.’”

In her inaugural address, Barnett positioned herself within Rollins’ lineage of bold leadership while articulating a vision shaped by what she heard across her Every Voice, One Vision listening tour. Her remarks emphasized collaboration, listening, and student-centered decision-making as guiding principles, reinforcing the connections and values that already distinguish the Rollins experience while pointing toward what comes next.

“Our future-forward approach means together we will forge an inspiring vision based on what matters most for our students and the future of Rollins. Hope is not our strategy, but it is our ethos. The promise and possibility are palpable. We will not fall prey to exceptionalism, but we will know our own worth, elaborate on what makes us special, and adapt and change to remain relevant.” — President Brooke Barnett

Community, Connection, and Celebration

Events like Field Day and Tars Under the Stars reflect the heart of the Rollins experience: a relationship-rich, close-knit community where students are welcomed and supported. Whether in a game of spikeball on Mills Lawn or through music and dancing under the night sky, these shared moments foster connections that carry into the classroom and beyond, shaping how students learn and succeed.

“Rollins relationships are real and really important. Tom and I have felt this from day one with the warm welcome we received and with how many times a student or colleague notes the relationships that make their Rollins experience.” — President Brooke Barnett