Refocusing, reorganizing, and reenergizing for the future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We plan to do three things over the next few years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Refocus our academic programs<\/strong> around three key areas of strength that are most relevant to meeting the needs of today\u2019s students and preparing them for a changing world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will do this while also sustaining our historic and strong liberal arts foundation<\/strong>, including in STEM, the social sciences, and humanities, as well as in business and the arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will prioritize well-enrolled academic programs and reimagine traditional, siloed structures around departments, majors, minors, and courses. Our new approach to undergraduate education <\/strong>\u2014 The Clark Experience \u2014 along with some new options for our students, such as the Honors Experience and a new three-year accelerated undergraduate degree (the same requirements fulfilled over a shorter period of time, inclusive of summer studies and experiential opportunities), are key elements of the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reorganize the University<\/strong> to support these areas of focus while leaning even more fully into interdisciplinarity in our academic programs. This entails streamlining and right-sizing operations to better support the curricular areas of focus and the student experience, and positioning us to direct our resources in the most productive way possible. This includes reducing overall costs, as well as the size of the administration, staff, and faculty, while also continuing to fully support our student body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reenergize our community<\/strong> by supporting its members through these challenges, building our reputation, boosting student recruitment, and inspiring pride and engagement through a long-term sustainable model that is well supported by an expanded resource base, achieved in part through a comprehensive fundraising campaign. We have a lot going for us \u2014 a strong endowment, excellent faculty, and amazing students \u2014 and this plan builds on those strengths, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By acting decisively now, challenging the convention of staying the course, we can be most confident in our ability to reposition Clark for a strong future. Greater clarity of Clark\u2019s distinctiveness, increased pride in our impact and reputation, and the assurance of an enduring legacy of providing transformational experiences for our students are all part of this plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our plan for Clark is geared toward one overarching goal \u2013 positioning the University for long-term success and sustainability through excellent academic offerings (leaning into current strengths, making it more relevant and outcomes oriented, creating new and exciting interdisciplinary programming) and a streamlined (more efficient) operating model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right now, higher education is experiencing an unprecedented combination of pressures and Clark is not immune. Demographic changes \u2013 most significantly a dramatic decline in the number of college age students \u2013 are making it more and more competitive to recruit students, costs continue to increase, the public is demanding more return on the investment in a college degree and this is having a direct impact on what prospective students and families are willing to pay. We are facing these challenges head-on, with a bold, smart, and strategic plan not only to adapt, but continue to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have homed in on select areas of interdisciplinary academic strengths at Clark that are highly relevant to addressing our greatest societal challenges and creating a wide range of career paths for our students: <\/p>\n\n\n\n All three build on broad-based interdisciplinary teaching and learning. For example, one can study biology through our courses in STEM, through Climate, Environment, and Society, and also within Health and Human Behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The liberal arts are critical to fulfilling our institutional mission and preparing our students to succeed and lead meaningful lives. While some majors may change, the liberal arts will continue to be an essential part of our academic core. Students will be expected to study in these areas and will gain the critical thinking skills, broad global perspective, and creative opportunities the liberal arts enable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We will be providing an even more distinctive approach to learning and preparing for future success. This will benefit both current and prospective students. Currently enrolled students will be able to complete their chosen majors without disruption<\/strong> <\/em>and also take advantage of new interdisciplinary programming, experiential learning opportunities, and enhanced academic support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The opportunity our students have to work closely with their professors \u2013 in and outside the classroom \u2013 is a hallmark distinction at Clark and that will not change. In rightsizing and more properly orienting our faculty around both a smaller student body overall and a streamlined academic programming, we will enhance the overall academic experience at Clark. Our student\/faculty ratio still will be highly competitive \u2013 in the 10:1 range. We also are eliminating some programming that has not drawn sufficient student interest \u2013 courses that enroll five or fewer students, for example \u2013 and redirecting resources to areas of greatest interest and appeal among current and prospective students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The plan calls for the introduction of new options for students, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through the areas of focus, Clark is aligning its programs to reflect students\u2019 desire for more interdisciplinary, real-world learning<\/strong>, connecting academics to issues like climate change, AI, mental health, ethics, and social equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Clark University, we regard the arts as essential to who we are as both an institution of learning and as a human community. The arts are a key part of Clark\u2019s plan going forward \u2014 both as areas of study as well as co-and extra-curricular offerings. Students can explore coursework in areas like Creative Production and Practice (everything from photography to studio-based art practice to acting and game design); Digital Media (film and television studies, digital and narrative production); Design, Technology, and Human-Computer Interaction (UIX\/UI design, robotics, graphic design, and more); Performance, Theater Arts, and Storytelling (acting, directing, stagecraft, and music performance); and Media Studies and Cultural Analysis (art history and visual culture, media\u2019s social impact).<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/president\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2025\/06\/structure-diagram.png\")
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is Clark working toward?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why is Clark taking these steps now?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are the three areas of academic focus?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What does this mean for the liberal arts at Clark?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What should students expect as you implement this plan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of Clark\u2019s unique qualities is the intimate, highly personal nature of the academic experience. Will this change that?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What kinds of new opportunities does Clark\u2019s new academic structure offer students?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Tell us about the arts at Clark.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How are your arts offerings evolving?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n