From its founding in 1824, Kenyon College has brought students and faculty together to address enduring and emerging questions, rooted in a belief that the transformative power of a liberal arts education combined with the close relationships developed in an intentional community cultivates the creativity and leadership needed to meet the challenges of the current moment and the future. The commitments to both the enduring and the emerging, and to both tradition and the future, have driven the College to evolve and adapt over its nearly 200-year history, and at each stage of its evolution become a stronger and more resilient institution.

Foundations for Kenyon’s Third Century

As Kenyon prepares to celebrate its bicentennial, its graduates must be prepared to meet the global challenges presented by climate change; to develop and apply technology not only effectively but also ethically; to build equitable, just, diverse and inclusive communities in an increasingly polarized environment; and to solve complex, dynamic problems in uncertain contexts. And, Kenyon must do this while addressing unprecedented challenges facing American higher education, including the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic, continued shifts in student demographics, and the barriers created by the combination of higher tuition costs and stagnant family income.

A Strategic Plan for Our Time

The work of the College will focus on three priorities and a set of strategic changes to ensure that the plan is financially and structurally feasible.

  • Rigorous Learning in a Global Context

    We will engage students in rigorous learning on enduring and emerging questions, rooted in Gambier’s residential community, with a global reach. Priority I

  • A Thriving, Diverse Community

    We will recruit, retain and educate a community of academically excellent students, reflective of the diversity of our nation and representative of the world, thriving as individuals, and united by a shared sense of belonging. Priority II

  • Strong Financial Foundations

    We will fully realize Kenyon’s mission into its third century by securing the College’s financial foundations, advancing equitable access, and stewarding our built and natural environment. Priority III

  • 2030To fulfill the plan’s priorities, we will embark on a set of strategic changes over the next decade to optimize our size, the academic calendar and institutional partnerships.

    Strategic Changes

A downloadable PDF of the strategic plan is also available.

Background Information