Goal: Provide and promote a transformational, residentially based student experience rooted in Jesuit, Catholic formation.
Objectives
- Create a four-year student formation plan that is grounded in Ignatian spirituality and develops “contemplatives in action,” complementing the curricular plan.
- Create conditions for students to pursue and achieve excellence.
- Foster an inclusive culture of belonging and an open, respectful exchange of ideas and beliefs.
- Adopt and advance a campus master plan to address both living and learning spaces, ensuring that they are welcoming and affirming.
- Ensure that a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy helps advance strategic objectives through compelling storytelling.
Dr. Michele Murray leads the strategy and implementation behind our Transformational Student Experience initiatives. She provides leadership for integrating students’ intellectual, spiritual, and emotional development, delivering excellent services and programs for all students, and translating the College’s vibrant Jesuit Catholic mission for today’s audience.
Since announcing our Aspire plan, we've made significant progress towards 4 key initiatives: promoting student health and wellbeing, fostering an inclusive student culture, building skills for dialogue, and supporting students' spiritual development. Here's some of what we've accomplished:
Campus Housing
Converted Ciampi Hall to a student living, learning community dedicated to student wellbeing. The first cohort of 60 students began living there in Fall 2023.
Mental Health Resources
Partnership with the JED Foundation, which “provides colleges and universities expert support, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect student mental health and prevent suicide.” We are now in the second year of a four-year process to become a JED campus.
Orientation Programs
Reimagined Gateways orientation with greater emphasis on inclusion and belonging to ensure all incoming students can embark on their college experience together.
Dialogue Initiatives
Partnered with the Constructive Dialogue Institute to build student skills in engaging in dialogue across differences. Its evidence-based trainings and workshops will support all first-year students in developing the skills necessary for engaging in open, respectful exchange of ideas.
Mission-Driven Programs
Completed a self-study and external review of the Office of Mission. The office is now developing programs for students, faculty and staff that support human flourishing in the Ignatian tradition.
Town Hall Updates
On October 4, 2023, a Town Hall was held to provide updates from our leadership team on each of the six pillars of our Aspire strategic plan.
Get Involved
If you have a question about Aspire or a suggestion or idea related to one of its aims, we invite you to review the plan and share your thoughts.