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<img src="http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmpr/images/features/prelock_300x212.jpg" height="212" width="300" />Patricia Prelock brought a unique perspective when she became dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) last summer. Formerly the chair of Communication Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, Prelock came into the position firmly grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration -- a model she continues to embody and champion in her new college.

One of the largest academic and research facilities in ¶¶Òõ̽̽ history -- 97,000 square foot James M. Jeffords Hall -- officially opened its doors on May 22 at a special dedication ceremony attended by university leaders, faculty and students, state and federal officials, and members of the Jeffords family. The $55.7 million building is the largest non-medical academic building to be constructed on campus since Cook Physical Science Building in 1969.

When Lisa Aultman-Hall was hired three years ago as the founding director of the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Transportation Research Center, she stressed the importance of education and outreach, but made clear that interdisciplinary research focused on 21st century transportation-related social problems would be the foundation of the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Matrix Center.