By Robbee Baker Kosak

In this BlackBerry, text-messaging, Wi-Fi world, there is little time to glance at anything that doesn't feel like a priority. Brochures, newsletters, even glossy publications that are sent to me unsolicited often go unread.

I'm sure it's no different for many of you, so I know that merely publishing a magazine won't guarantee it's actually read by anyone. Carnegie Mellon Today must compete with your daily mail, local newspaper, favorite magazines, bookmarked Web sites, and high-definition programming.

For this magazine to grab your attention and not end up in your junk mail pile, it needs to tell great stories. Fortunately, great stories are easy to find around here. Global achievements from the University's faculty, students, and alumni have become the norm. In fact, we created Carnegie Mellon Today three years ago so we could share the impressive triumphs of our University's transcontinental family–from the Nobel Laureates to the Academy Award winners to the robotics pioneers to the freshmen who are just settling in. These pages are meant to connect all of us.

Starting with this issue, the first with our new executive editor Robert Mendelson, we've added some exciting enhancements. We want to make sure that once you peek inside, you will stay for awhile.

First, there are more stories being told. There are also several new departments–The First Word, Inbox, News Flash, The Fence, Making Noise, and Beyond the Cut –that are packed with expanded University news, alumni achievements, campus happenings, and readers' opinions. We've also changed the look of the pages, making sure that our layouts are dynamic and eye-catching as they tell the stories visually. We didn't overlook the writing, either. Every word on every page is part of a narrative "storytelling" style that is meant to bring to life every article, large or small.

The editorial and design changes aren't limited to the print version of the magazine. We've improved, as well, its online counterpart, carnegiemellontoday.com, by expanding its content and making it more interactive and easier to navigate.

To make sure we're strengthening our readers' connection with each other and with our University, we need your help. This issue includes a readership survey card. Please take a moment to review, fill out, and return it to us. Or, if you prefer, you can always pass along your praise, criticisms, and suggestions by visiting carnegiemellontoday.com.

Whether it's through the survey card or going online, please let us know what you think of our flagship publication. I promise we'll listen closely because this magazine is for you. With your helpful feedback, I will do my best to ensure that Carnegie Mellon Today never ends up in your junk mail pile.