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October Staff Meeting Recap

Sarah Delaney Vero, general counsel and vice president for Human Resources, opened the Oct. 1 staff meeting by emphasizing that all employees contribute to ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s mission and embody its ethos that Creative Thought Matters.

Human Resources Update


Julie Delay, chief human resources officer, introduced new staff and highlighted HR’s focus on well-being and professional growth. She reminded employees of upcoming professional development opportunities.

• Resolving Conflicts: 9–10:30 a.m., Oct. 21
• Understanding and Increasing Emotional Intelligence: 2–4 p.m., Nov. 5
• Bridging Generational Perspectives: 9–10:30 a.m., Nov. 12

Upcoming wellness events include:

• Step It Up! Walking Challenge: Oct. 6–Nov. 2 (register by Oct. 5)
• Four-week Guided Meditation Series: 12:15–12:45 p.m. Wednesdays in October, starting Oct. 8, Scribner Library Media Room (LIB 129)

Delay also encouraged staff to save the dates for:

• Networking Breakfast: 9–10:30 a.m., Oct. 30
• Benefit Fair: Nov. 6

More details are available on the HR website.

Equal Opportunity and Title IX


Joel Aure, director of equal opportunity and Title IX, reminded employees of their responsibility to report any incidents of sexual or gender-based misconduct.  

Jude Klein, associate director for employment and workforce diversity, reminded employees that mandatory sexual harassment and workplace discrimination trainings must be completed by Dec. 5. Modules are assigned in , which can be accessed via Okta. Employees are encouraged to review the staff and faculty policies prior to completing the trainings.

Office of Communications and Marketing


Elizabeth Stauderman, vice president for communications and marketing, presented ³Ô¹ÏÍø's newly refreshed website, whose first phase went live recently.  Sara Miga, senior director of external relations and strategic communications, noted how the new pages strengthen ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s competitive position in admissions, while also serving as a platform for advancement communications, academic storytelling, and strategic engagement, while meeting accessibility and brand standards. Staff were encouraged to explore the site, , and share feedback. The team is now turning its attention to webpages for ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s more than 40 academic departments and programs. 

Admissions and Financial Aid


Jess Ricker, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, provided an update on admissions. ³Ô¹ÏÍø recently enrolled 692 first-year and 20 transfer students. Members of the Class of 2029 were drawn from more than 12,200 applicants:

• 30% identify as domestic students of color (tied for a record high).
• 14% are first-generation students.
• 43 are Opportunity Program students, exceeding enrollment goals.
• ³Ô¹ÏÍø is welcoming its first QuestBridge cohort, a national program for high-achieving, lower-income students.
• 65% are receiving ³Ô¹ÏÍø grant aid.
• 20% are Pell-eligible (a record high).
• 15% have international backgrounds, including dual citizens and U.S. students who grew up abroad.

Ricker stressed the importance of financial aid, noting 85% of applicants requested aid and fewer families can pay full cost. She also highlighted recent success in retention efforts. Looking ahead, she previewed recruitment efforts for the Class of 2030, including an Open House held on Oct. 4 for prospective students.

President’s Remarks


President Marc Conner addressed ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s rankings, including No. 37 by U.S. News & World Report, and recognition from the Princeton Review and Niche.com.  

On finances, he noted the importance of both enrollment and fundraising to address projected budget deficits. He outlined a five-year plan to grow the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Fund from $7.5 million to $10 million, with this year’s goal at $9 million. He emphasized that a future fundraising campaign will be central to sustaining ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s trajectory. He added that the search for a new vice president for advancement is now underway. 

Conner previewed the Strategic Action Agenda, with priorities in residential life, career preparation, speech and expression, financial stability, inclusive community, and Middle States reaccreditation.   

The meeting ended with a Q&A.  

The next staff meeting will be 1–2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. The full schedule is available online. Staff members are encouraged to offer feedback, suggest agenda items, and ask questions through the .