WCAS 2026-31 Strategic Plan

strategic plan 202 6 –2031

Woods College of Advancing Studies Woods College of

Charting a Course for the Century Ahead

From humble beginnings as the Boston College Intown Center at 126 Newbury Street in 1929, the Woods College of Advancing Studies (WCAS) is proudly approaching its centennial celebration in 2029. In anticipation of its second century, WCAS is setting its course toward a flourishing future by drawing from Boston College’s Jesuit, Catholic heritage and reputation for academic excellence to enhance its distinctive role within the University and the contemporary world. In particular, WCAS commits to:

» Providing students of varying backgrounds with flexible opportunities to develop their talents, pursue personal and professional goals, and earn a Boston College degree;

» Helping graduates remain connected and sustained by their experiences, friendships, and memories while at WCAS;

» Contributing to the mission of Boston College and the greater good of wider society.

Reflecting these aspirations, desires, and priorities, WCAS proposes the following four strategic directions to guide and shape its future.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION I

Strengthen the Jesuit, Catholic dimensions of WCAS as a school and learning community

Boston College’s mission, heritage, and values as a Jesuit, Catholic university serve as the bedrock for the intellectual, spiritual, social, and personal development of WCAS community members, especially students. Accordingly, WCAS aspires to strengthen the Jesuit, Catholic dimensions of its programs, curricula, and community life, particularly through more coherent and consistent integration of intellectual excellence, personal formation, and whole-person education. Doing so will not only benefit students, faculty, and staff but also yield significant external benefits for WCAS in the increasingly competitive landscape of American higher education.

GOALS:

» Develop a mission statement that acknowledges and better articulates the needs of students seeking a nontraditional higher education experience.

» Increase opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to engage in reflection and formative experiences rooted in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

» Highlight the distinctive elements of Jesuit, Catholic formative education in WCAS communication, marketing, and outreach efforts.

“This plan both honors our legacy and embraces our exciting future. It is rooted in the Jesuit, Catholic foundations of Boston College and our dedication to serving nontraditional students through formative educational experiences, community engagement, and academic excellence. This is not just a roadmap; it is a shared vision for transforming student lives and strengthening the Woods College as it enters its second century.”

davi d good man Dean, Woods College of Advancing Studies

STRATEGIC DIRECTION II

Foster personal, communal, and professional connections at WCAS, particularly among students, faculty, and alumni

WCAS is committed to cultivating stronger relationships within and among the student and alumni communities. WCAS seeks to emphasize the importance of a more integrated ecosystem that blends academic, professional, and social support, building on Jesuit, Catholic traditions of care, community, and accompaniment.

GOALS:

» Revamp the advising model at WCAS to emphasize care and accompaniment, integrating academic, professional, and mission-driven career development and vocational discernment.

» Increase community events that promote connection and strengthen the WCAS community, including meaningful mentoring and networking opportunities that connect students with alumni, faculty, and employers.

» Deepen the participation of students and faculty in the overall Boston College experience by ensuring opportunities for engagement across academics, with community partners, and in campus life.

“The Woods College has always had a focus on educating the whole person, and I feel this mission close to my heart. During my time as an undergraduate, I appreciated how my professors nurtured my growth. It is because of this support that I decided to return for my graduate degree. As students and alumni, we support each other, offering meaningful mentorship and genuine networking.”

miranda

brown b.a. 2022; m.h.a. 2027

STRATEGIC DIRECTION III

Enhance curriculum, teaching, and student success at WCAS

WCAS is dedicated to delivering an academic experience that is both distinctive and deeply connected to Boston College’s mission.

WCAS intends to offer new and existing programs that are innovative, high quality, and aligned with student and workforce needs while also strengthening faculty capacity to ensure graduates are prepared for both professional success and personal development.

GOALS:

» Provide creative, distinctive, high-quality academic programs to meet evolving student and workforce needs.

» Expand graduate programs through cross-school collaboration and partnerships to help address societal needs and provide new opportunities for students and enrollment growth.

» Enhance flexible continuing education offerings, such as microcredentials, certificates, and customizable pathways, that reflect labor market needs and WCAS’s commitment to addressing social realities.

“What I value most about the Woods College is the genuine sense of shared purpose—faculty and students walking alongside one another, united by intellectual ambition and a desire to make a difference. At Woods, we endeavor to live out the Jesuit, Catholic commitment to educating the whole person, forming reflective, principled leaders who see their work as service.”

gregory p. noone, ph.d.

Graduate Leadership Faculty

STRATEGIC DIRECTION IV

Implement a mission-driven recruitment and enrollment strategy

WCAS aims to expand access and opportunity for students. To meet the needs of students seeking nontraditional pathways for their education, WCAS will improve the timing of award letters, access to financial aid, and alternative funding models, including fellowships, partnership discounts, and employer sponsorships.

GOALS:

» Enhance strategic enrollment and financial aid models to recruit, retain, and graduate a talented and diverse WCAS student body, improve retention strategies, and increase persistence and graduation rates.

» Strengthen admissions and financial aid processes to ensure a seamless enrollment experience for prospective WCAS students.

» Develop a cohesive and strategic branding and marketing approach that elevates the WCAS profile and attracts mission-aligned students.

the path forward

The WCAS Strategic Plan builds upon WCAS’s distinctive role within Boston College and seeks to ensure all of its students have access to a formative educational experience in the University's Jesuit, Catholic tradition. It also reflects the goal that WCAS graduates remain engaged with their school after they have attained their degrees. Finally, this plan proceeds from desires that WCAS, as the school of choice for individuals seeking nontraditional educational pathways, contributes in ever more meaningful ways to its students, Boston College, and the wider community.