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Staff gathered for the final meeting of the 2024-25 academic year on Wednesday, April 23, following a networking luncheon for 吃瓜爆料 staff. Senior leadership reflected on the academic year and provided updates on upcoming events and budget planning. 

General Counsel and Vice President for Human Resources Sarah Vero opened the meeting with reflections on the accomplishments and challenges of the year. Highlights included advancing the College鈥檚 Strategic Plan 2025-2030, which is slated to be approved by the board in May; navigating federal challenges affecting higher education; and celebrating community successes 鈥� from the opening of the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center to campus-wide engagement with artificial intelligence initiatives. 

Human Resources updates 

Chief Human Resources Officer Julie Delay welcomed new staff members and reminded employees of several upcoming events and deadlines: 

• Annual performance reviews: Due Friday, May 23.  
• Tuesday, May 20, 
• Monday, May 5, through Sunday June 1  
• Free summer employee fitness classes: Monday, June 2, through Friday, June 27 
  • More information will be available via email in early May. 
• Visits from TIAA retirement financial consultants: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Scribner Library 
  • Friday, May 16 
  • Wednesday, May 28 
  • Thursday, June 12 
  • Wednesday, June 25 
• Chair massages: Thursday, May 22 

Financial Sustainability Update

Vice President for Finance and Administration Dan Konstalid provided an update on the ongoing financial sustainability review with Huron Consulting Group. 

Konstalid emphasized the College鈥檚 proactive approach in addressing rising costs and enrollment trends, with a goal of strengthening long-term financial sustainability 鈥� a key component of 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 new Strategic Plan. He noted that final decisions will be made by 吃瓜爆料 leadership and will follow appropriate shared governance and divisional processes.  

Reflecting on 2024-25

President Marc C. Conner celebrated the College鈥檚 achievements amid a challenging national landscape. He stressed the success of students, faculty, and staff despite the anxieties facing higher education today.  

President Conner discussed his recent message to the campus community and 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 endorsement of American Association of Colleges and Universities鈥� (AAC&U) affirming the importance of academic freedom, freedom of expression, and institutional autonomy. He emphasized the College鈥檚 responsibility to defend its educational mission while fostering open dialogue across diverse viewpoints. 

He mentioned that the College will be hosting 鈥淣avigating Uncertainty Together, Part II,鈥� which is scheduled for 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. 

Conner also highlighted strong admissions momentum, including the second-largest applicant pool in 吃瓜爆料鈥檚 history and record attendance at admissions events this spring. He noted that final enrollment figures will be determined after the Thursday, May 1, decision deadline. 

Looking ahead, Conner expressed excitement about the forthcoming launch of the College鈥檚 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, unanimously endorsed by the Institutional Policy and Planning Committee (IPPC) and slated for Board of Trustees approval in May. Implementation efforts, including a new strategic action agenda and a marketing campaign, will follow in the coming year. 

The president closed by congratulating recipients of the 2025 President鈥檚 Award for Leadership and Service, and thanked all staff for their dedication, energy, and contributions to a successful academic year. 

Staff meetings will resume in September 2025.