elmsnews

Dear Colleagues,

It is hard to believe how quickly September has passed. The opening weeks of the academic year have brought a wonderful energy to campus, with our community coming together to welcome new students, reconnect with returning students, and begin another year of learning, growth, and engagement. 

There have been many highlights throughout the month, including Elms Essentials, the Blessing of the Athletes, and the International Student Welcome Reception. Each of these events helped create opportunities for students to feel connected and welcomed as they begin or continue their Elms experience. I am grateful to the faculty, staff, and volunteers whose time, creativity, and commitment made these experiences possible. I know that it has been a campus-wide effort to welcome new and returning students. I would like to highlight the collaborative efforts of  Enrollment Management and Marketing, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, the Physical Plant, and Information Technology in particular. 

Another relatively new September tradition was the First Year Seminar’s “The Longest Table,” held on September 14 outside Berchmans Hall. The event provided first-year students with an opportunity to meet one another, exchange stories, and engage in meaningful conversation while appreciating different perspectives and experiences. My thanks go to Director of First Year Seminar, Dr. Jennifer Granger Sullivan and all her collaborators, for making this event such a meaningful part of the first-year experience.

Last Friday, Athletics and the Office of Institutional Advancement collaborated in organizing and  hosting the Green & Gold Golf Classic at Crestview Country Club. With beautiful weather and a great turnout, the event brought together alumni, friends, and supporters of the College in support of our student-athletes. Their generosity helps provide our students with opportunities to build the confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and resilience that extend well beyond the playing field.

As we move beyond Census Day, I am pleased to recognize the work of our Enrollment Management and Marketing team. We have met or exceeded our enrollment goals for transfer and graduate students, while continuing to focus our efforts on recruiting and retaining first-year undergraduate and continuing education students. In this competitive environment, these results reflect a tremendous amount of work across the College. Enrollment is truly a community effort, and I appreciate everyone who has contributed to our recruitment and retention efforts throughout the year. We will continue to build on this momentum and look for new ways to strengthen enrollment and student success.

With the fall committee meeting cycle nearing completion, the Board of Trustees will convene on October 16. Their review of the Fiscal Year 2026 results and their review and approval of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget will be among the key items on the agenda. The Finance team has worked closely throughout the summer with our auditors to complete the FY26 audit in a timely manner. They have worked at the same time on establishing a balanced budget for FY27. As we indicated throughout the year, FY26 results underscore the financial challenges that we continue to face as a higher education sector. Due to the collective work taking place across campus to increase revenues through enrollment and fundraising and to manage expenses, I am encouraged that the current FY27 outlook is more favorable, Nonetheless, given the overall constrained fiscal picture for small colleges, the years ahead will require continued focus, discipline, and collaboration. I look forward to providing more information regarding the FY26 results and the approved FY27 budget in the coming weeks and at our Town Hall on October 30th.

Today, we close out the month of September with one of the College’s most meaningful academic traditions—Opening Academic Convocation. Veritas Auditorium will once again provide the setting for us to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year, welcome our newest students, and recognize our seniors as they embark on their final undergraduate year. I warmly invite members of the Elms community to join us for this special occasion. I hope you will take the time to attend and share in this celebration of our students and the start of another academic year. I am especially looking forward to hearing from our guest speaker and Elms alumna, Dr. Yolanda Marrow, President of the Western Massachusetts Black Nurses Association. Her commitment to education and advocacy reflects the values of service, compassion, and leadership that are central to an Elms education.

I would also like to thank Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Joyce Hampton for spearheading this important tradition and for leading our academic efforts along with Deans Julie Beck, Walter Breau, Betty Huckowicz, and Damien Murray. 

In closing, I am pleased to share the increasing recognition by external stakeholders of the wonderful learning opportunity that the faculty and staff of Elms College endeavor every day to create for our students.  The 2027 Best Colleges rankings from Niche.com and the U.S. News & World Report were released last week, and Elms College has much to celebrate. Elms was ranked No. 1 for Best Value College in the Springfield area, No. 3 for Best Value College in Massachusetts, and No. 13 for Best Value College in the nation. Our Nursing program continues to shine as well, earning recognition as the No. 3 nursing program in Massachusetts. These rankings are a reflection of the exceptional work each of you contributes to Elms College and to the success of our students every day. 

As we look ahead to the weeks and months to come, I remain deeply appreciative of the dedication you bring to your work each day. Thank you for the many ways you support our students, advance our mission, and contribute to the strength and spirit of the Elms community.

With gratitude, 

Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA

President