Opportunity. Investment. Transformation.

Last May, Clark announced a Transformation Plan to ensure a strong and competitive future for the University. The plan builds on Clark Inspired — the strategic framework that defines long-term objectives and priorities for the University’s ongoing work—and it responds to a higher-education landscape shaped by shifting perceptions of the value of a degree and enrollment uncertainty.

A diagram of Clark's five-school academic structure with a strong College of Arts and
Sciences serving as anchor and connector for all undergraduate academic programming. The five schools include, The School of Climate, Environment, and Society, The School of Media, Arts, Computing and Design, The School of Science, Health and Human Development, The School of Business, and the School of Civic and Global Engagement.

The Transformation Plan achieves three key objectives for ensuring a strong and sustainable future for Clark:

Refocusing offerings around areas of strength most relevant to meeting the needs of a changing world while sustaining Clark’s liberal arts foundation to further drive outcomes and better meet student needs/preferences.
Reorganizing and right-sizing operations to better support the honed academic offerings and direct limited resources in the most productive way possible.
Reenergizing by building reputation, boosting student recruitment, and inspiring pride and engagement that is well-supported by high morale and an expanded resource base.

Clark’s comprehensive restructuring of academic programs brings greater clarity and focus to areas of academic strength and distinction, and better aligns offerings with student interests and an evolving job market. This includes a five-school structure and a strong College of Arts and Sciences serving as anchor and connector for all undergraduate academic programming (see sidebar).

Among the plan’s champions is Clark Trustee Ron Shaich ’76, whose $20 million gift to Clark—the largest single gift in the University’s history—will help support expanded enrollment and financial aid initiatives; the continued progression of The Clark Experience; and other academic and programmatic initiatives that enhance students’ educational experience and amplify areas of institutional focus. The Shaich Scholars program will offer selected first-year students direct access to Ron Shaich through annual master classes and curated cohort conversations, mentorship from members of his network, and experiential-learning support.

The Transformation Plan optimizes Clark’s relationship-rich, hands-on, purpose-driven education rooted in authentic faculty mentorship, student engagement in research and creative practice, and interdisciplinarity. It centers The Clark Experience, the University’s pledge to every undergraduate that they will leave Clark with the confidence, creativity, and tenacity to succeed and lead a life of consequence, on whatever path they choose.

The Clark Experience has evolved in many important and tangible ways over the past year, including:

The Career Connections Center has been reorganized to better support students in navigating their career and life journeys and accessing high-impact experiential-learning opportunities.
The ePortfolio allows every student to integrate the entirety of their Clark journey into their own visible and complete personal story.
The annual Sophomore Summit offers deeper career and academic action planning early in students’ academic trajectory, and the Honors Program and Clark Degree in 3 are uniquely geared toward inspiring highly motivated students.
Unconventional Masterclass has global leaders in business, technology, public service, and more sharing expertise and mentorship with Clark undergraduates. The Penn Scholars program, supported by Trustee Erica J. Penn ’84 and her husband, Kevin Penn, provides students with immersive, hands-on experiences through curated sessions across key fields including artificial intelligence, finance, health, and marketing.

the five schools

Clark academics are being reorganize and reenergized in the following schools:

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS: Established in 1982, the School of Business frames business education around leadership, social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical practice. The School holds AACSB accreditation.

SCHOOL OF CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT, AND SOCIETY: Launched in 2025, the School strengthens Clark’s visibility and impact in climate- and environment-related research, education, and engagement. It is grounded in Clark’s legacy of climate-related work in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and geography.

SCHOOL OF MEDIA ARTS, COMPUTING, AND DESIGN: To be launched in Fall 2026, the core academic units include the Becker School of Design & Technology; Computer Science; Visual and Performing Arts; Mathematics; English; and Creative Writing. Programming bridges creative practice, humanist inquiry, and technological development.

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: With an anticipated launch in Spring 2027, the School will bring together the core departments and programs of Biology; Chemistry; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Physics; Psychology; and Sociology. It will advance research and education at the intersection of natural sciences, human behavior, and health, and integrate molecular, biological, psychological, social, and environmental perspectives to improve health outcomes across diverse populations.

SCHOOL OF CIVIC AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT: With an anticipated launch in Fall 2027, the School will focus on relationships between societies, states, individuals, and cultures. Core embedded departments and programs will include History; Language, Literature, and Culture; Philosophy; Political Science; Education; and the Center for Gender, Race, and Area Studies.