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Many of the recommended actions require additional financial resources, which will form the basis of advancement fundraising goals after completion of the Fearlessly Consequential campaign in 2027.
The Priorities and Planning Committee prioritized the suggested actions in the context of projected availability of funds. These prioritized actions were then reviewed by the senior leadership team and the President and presented to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees accepted the proposed priorities, shown below, in May 2026.
Prioritization by P&P Committee
Prioritization by P&P Committee
1. Renew campus buildings and infrastructure
1. Renew campus buildings and infrastructure
Strategic building renewal (these will prioritize accessibility and carbon reduction in building renewal work):
Raymond (bathroom and elevator renewal already budgeted) accessible entrance
Walker/Kenyon (locker room/sports medicine, volleyball floor)
Blodgett, Rockefeller, Sanders academic offices/classrooms
Chapel
Alumnae House
Routine maintenance for dormitories
Enhance landscape, including the Preserve
Invest in sustainability
2. Support faculty and employee experience
2. Support faculty and employee experience
Maintain rolling fund for market adjustments
Invest in faculty/employee communication, professional development, and supportive workplace culture
Gauge employee and faculty satisfaction and address gaps
Enhance support for faculty scholarship and artistic activities
Technology: respond to evolving pedagogy needs (e.g., AI response)
Continue to support dynamic, evolving curriculum
3. Improve financial accessibility
3. Improve financial accessibility
Expand financial aid in the most impactful way possible
Improve the clarity of the financial aid application process
4. Enhance engagement with local area, region, and globe
4. Enhance engagement with local area, region, and globe
Solidify funding of office of Office of Community-Engaged Learning and Environmental Cooperative
Invest in housing, local business, and event space in Arlington
Solidify funding and amplify impact of the Institute as convening space
Create effective partnerships with organizations and employers in Poughkeepsie and other targeted areas and industries
Use work study/internship more intentionally as part of job preparation, career opportunities and alum engagement
Clarify and refine global engagement and strategy
5. Enhance sense of belonging and support
5. Enhance sense of belonging and support
Understand patterns and trends among students who express a lack of belonging and address these experiences; Inclusive Pedagogy, Engaged Pluralism and Student Growth and Engagement to support community and the expression of diverging viewpoints;
Monitor and improve student retention rates; support Vassar Student Association (VSA) and student-led events and activities
Co-locate and enhance health, wellness, and mental health services in Baldwin and Metcalf
Enhance connections with alums located abroad and with alum affinity groups to improve support and feeling of belonging
6. Consider alternative educational models
6. Consider alternative educational models
Explore a range of opportunities including but not limited to pre-college programs, BA/masters programs, summer educational opportunities for graduates pursuing medical school, certificate programs, and programs for alums
Final five-year priorities approved by Board of Trustees for 2027–2032
Final five-year priorities approved by Board of Trustees for 2027–2032
1. Renew campus buildings and infrastructure
1. Renew campus buildings and infrastructure
Strategic building renewal (in alignment with accessibility and carbon reduction goals):
Raymond
Walker/Kenyon (locker room/sports medicine, volleyball floor)
Blodgett, Rockefeller, Sanders academic offices/classrooms
Alumnae House
Routine maintenance for dormitories
Invest in sustainability
2. Support faculty and employee experience
2. Support faculty and employee experience
Invest in faculty/employee communication, professional development, and supportive workplace culture and appropriate compensation
Gauge and enhance employee and faculty satisfaction
Enhance support for faculty scholarship and artistic activities
Technology: respond to evolving pedagogy needs (e.g., AI response)
Continue to support dynamic, evolving curriculum
3. Improve financial accessibility
3. Improve financial accessibility
Expand financial aid
Refresh communications materials and education around the financial aid application and process
Retain strong reputation
4. Enhance engagement with local area, region, and globe
4. Enhance engagement with local area, region, and globe
Solidify funding of Office of Community-Engaged Learning
Invest in housing, local business, and event space in Arlington
Create effective partnerships with organizations and employers in Poughkeepsie and other targeted areas and industries
Use work study/internship more intentionally as part of job preparation, career opportunities and alum engagement
Clarify and refine global engagement and strategy
5. Enhance sense of belonging and support
5. Enhance sense of belonging and support
Understand patterns and trends among students who express a lack of belonging and address these experiences; Inclusive Pedagogy, Engaged Pluralism and Student Growth and Engagement to support community and the expression of diverging viewpoints;
Monitor and improve student retention rates; support VSA and student-led events and activities
Co-locate and enhance health, wellness, and mental health services in Baldwin and Metcalf
Enhance connections with alums located abroad and with alum affinity groups to improve support and feeling of belonging
6. Consider alternative educational models
6. Consider alternative educational models
Explore and pilot a range of opportunities including but not limited to pre-college programs, field-based, semester-long work experiences integrated into the BA degree, BA/masters programs, summer educational opportunities for graduates pursuing medical school, certificate programs, programs for alums.
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