|
Campus News
Each year I look forward to the energy that the beginning of an academic year brings. The hallways echo with energetic voices in a variety of languages. Mary Ellen’s desk in the atrium is surrounded by a variety of tables hosting people studying, people publicizing events and activities, and students seeking her welcoming face. Our athletic teams have begun to participate in their games, meets, and practices. Students are engaging in class sessions and reading, writing, and preparing homework and projects.
This year, I, too, am engaging in class sessions. Recently, I have been meeting with each section of our required first-year Navigator class. During those sessions, we discuss goals for their college experiences and their paths to graduation. In addition, we discuss any questions or observations they may have. I’ve been impressed by their desire to succeed, their appreciation for what Clarke has to offer, and their enthusiasm.
On Friday, September 13, we will gather for our annual Convocation and Tree Planting Ceremony, and Homecoming festivities will begin in a couple of weeks. We are looking forward to welcoming back the alums who will be joining us to celebrate and to reminisce about their time here as they create new memories.
Please check out Clarke’s social media and newsroom pages to engage with our community from near and far.
Strategic Plan Update
In volume 25 of my update that was sent out in early June, I noted that our Strategic Plan work is continuous and that our summer work would focus on retention, financial management, and curriculum review. I am pleased to be able to share some of the results from these efforts:
Retention: As I have mentioned in previous updates, the federal government’s delayed implementation of the 2024-2025 FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid system – reduced student enrollments at many institutions of higher learning across the country for the current academic year. Clarke is no exception. However, the work we have been doing toward increasing retention has paid off; our number of returning undergraduate students is steadily increasing.
Financial Management: After our leadership team conducted an expense review for 2024-2025, we reduced the budget gap by more than $700,000. In addition, since kicking off our comprehensive philanthropic campaign, we already have garnered nearly 11 million dollars in gifts and pledges. We are grateful for these contributions, which demonstrate a commitment not just to Clarke, but to the common good and to the values that bring us together.
Curriculum Review: As a result of the curriculum audit that was completed during the previous academic year, we have initiated a Curriculum Renewal Process, which will be conducted during this academic year. Its goal is to revitalize our curricula, and the process has, at its center, brought academic programs more overtly in line with our mission, institutional identity, BVM core values, and strategic plan.
| 
