CIC would like to highlight a sampling of member institutions that shared with us that they are launching new programs, majors, or scholarships. There is innovation in our sector, and we are pleased to pass on some great examples that were sent to us.
If you have important or exciting news to share about your institution, please email Allison Barkley, CIC editorial content specialist, at abarkley@cic.edu to be considered for an upcoming newsletter article.
Hollins Launches HOPE Program Nationwide to Ensure Talented Young Women Can Pursue a College Education with No Debt
Hollins University (VA) is launching a new initiative that will enable academically talented young women from across the country to complete a four-year degree with the direct costs of attendance (tuition, on-campus food and housing, and fees) fully covered. First-time, first-year domestic undergraduate students who apply to attend Hollins and are eligible for the Pell Grant will automatically receive consideration for a Hollins Opportunity for Promise through Education (HOPE) scholarship.
Hollins established its original HOPE Scholars program in 2021 to cover the cost of tuition for qualified students who live within a 40-mile radius of Roanoke, Virginia. Since that time, HOPE students have thrived at Hollins, and the program has expanded. Fundraising to meet the needs of the program’s initial two years is already well underway and ongoing, with a plan to fund the program in perpetuity through additional gifts to the endowment. The new cohort of HOPE Scholars will begin at Hollins in Fall 2025.
The Centre Promise: College Pledges to Meet Financial Need of All Incoming First-Year Students
Centre College (KY) has launched the Centre Promise, a comprehensive financial aid initiative aimed at further lowering barriers between promising high school students and a premier liberal arts and sciences education. Through the Centre Promise, the college pledges to meet 100 percent of the calculated financial need of all incoming first-year students starting in the fall of 2025. It’s the latest step in a series of initiatives that have seen Centre move to the forefront of efforts to increase access and affordability for aspiring college students.
The initiative provides clarity for families facing the daunting task of sorting through the financial maze of tuition, room, board, scholarships, grants, state and federal aid, and student loans—all while trying to figure out how much they will pay in the end. The Centre Promise simplifies the financial aid process by compiling the cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, food, and fees, and calculating how much each family can pay and promising to bridge the gap between the two. The college can meet full need thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni who have provided financial support to launch this initiative. Fundraising to permanently endow these scholarship and financial aid programs will continue as part of Centre College’s ongoing mission to open doors of opportunity for all talented students, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Elms College Announces the Elms Promise—Full Tuition Coverage for Eligible Families
Elms College (MA) announced the Elms Promise, an exciting financial aid program designed to provide full tuition coverage for students from families earning less than $85,000 annually. By combining federal and state grants with institutional scholarships, the Elms Promise reflects the institution’s unwavering commitment to making a high-quality, four-year college education accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Key Details About the Elms Promise
- Who Qualifies?
- Families with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $85,000 or less, as reported through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- What Does It Cover?
- Full tuition is covered after all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are applied. This includes merit awards, endowed scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.
- Eligibility and Renewal:
- Students can live on campus or commute to receive full benefits.
- If a student chooses to live on campus, the cost of room and board is not covered by the program, federal loans and external scholarships may help offset these expenses.
- Families must be Massachusetts residents.
- First-year students only
- Eligibility is reassessed annually based on income and FAFSA submission. Students must also remain in good academic standing.
St. Thomas Aquinas College Partners with County of Rockland to Enhance Affordable Educational Access; Announces New Master of Public Administration Program and Expansion of STEM Master’s Programs
St. Thomas Aquinas College (NY) has announced a new partnership with the County of Rockland designed to make affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees accessible for the county’s employees. The partnership will provide eligible employees with affordable, high-quality degree programs that support their professional growth and enhance the community. County of Rockland employees holding an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution can transfer up to 70 credits, paving the way for a seamless transition to earning their bachelor’s degree. Those aiming for advanced education can seamlessly progress into advanced certificates or master’s programs in business, education, or public administration.
St. Thomas Aquinas College has also launched its newly redesigned Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, featuring specialized tracks in nonprofit and criminal justice leadership. This 36-credit program is designed for students seeking to develop the skills needed to lead, implement policy, solve problems, and improve efficiency in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public service institutions. It offers flexible in-person and online course options and is led by distinguished faculty who emphasize critical inquiry, hands-on learning, effective communication, and professional development. Students can complete an internship and a required capstone project, gaining invaluable experience in public administration, policy development, and grant application. The college has already partnered with the Center for Safety & Change, the County of Rockland, the United Way of Rockland County, and Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland County to provide internship opportunities to MPA students.
St. Thomas Aquinas College also announced its first-ever STEM Master’s Programs with new graduate offerings in exercise science in Fall 2025. The Master’s degree program will equip future students with a versatile skill set, enabling them to pursue diverse careers such as exercise physiologist, clinical exercise physiologist, wellness coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, and sports scientist.
Jessup University Partners with CampusEDU to Launch Jessup High, an Online Dual Enrollment Program for High School Students
Jessup University (CA) announced a strategic partnership with CampusEDU to launch Jessup High, an online dual enrollment program that offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credits through flexible, video-based courses accessible anytime, anywhere. This collaboration introduces adaptable course lengths—from 8 weeks to up to 15 weeks—to accommodate diverse learning preferences and schedules. Students will benefit from bi-weekly, instructor-led meetings and quality video content, ensuring an engaging and effective learning experience. Courses are offered year-round with multiple start dates within each spring, summer, and fall terms.
The Jessup High program features a diverse curriculum that includes courses such as Art Experience and Appreciation, Sociology, New Testament, College Algebra, Writing to Communicate, and Philosophy. Each course leverages digital technology to provide an immersive and interactive learning experience, allowing students to learn at their own pace and fit their studies around existing commitments.
Bridgewater College Launches Free Summer Institute for High School Students
Bridgewater College (VA) announced the receipt of a $300,000 grant from the Teagle Foundation to launch a new summer institute that will bring underserved local high school students to campus to study for two weeks and earn college credit. Bridgewater’s Future Scholars Institute will give rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience campus life and earn two college credits. The institute will be led by Bridgewater faculty and focus on the relationship between individual freedom and the public good. It is free to participating students.
Participating high school students will live on campus and enroll in an interdisciplinary course designed to explore questions about freedom, democracy and government. Students will read and discuss texts ranging from John Locke’s political essay “Two Treatises of Government” (1689) to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (1963) to Robert Putnam’s nonfiction book “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community” (2000). Included in the course is a visit to Washington, DC, to help students connect historical and contemporary struggles for freedom. Up to 30 students will be selected to participate and will be notified in early spring.
Wartburg College Expands Graduate Options with Two New Master’s Degrees in Health and Human Performance
Wartburg College (IA) will launch two new online graduate programs in health and human performance (a Master of Science in sport science and data analytics and a Master of Science in high performance). The programs, which build on the college’s reputation for excellence in undergraduate health sciences programs and athletic dominance, will produce students ready to lead and serve in a variety of athletic and nonathletic venues.
The 33-hour master’s degree in sport science and data analytics will teach students the skills necessary to analyze data and turn it into actionable insights that will optimize performance. The 36-hour master’s degree in high performance combines elite coaching and cutting-edge technology with the goal of attaching the highest standard of achievement in athletic competition. Both programs have been approved by the Higher Learning Commission, the college’s accrediting body. Each two-year program includes dynamic online coursework and an in-person practicum that can be completed on campus at Wartburg or at other locations nationwide with a contracted partner. The first cohort of students will begin classes in Fall 2025.
Briar Cliff University Announces the Return of the Mathematics Major; Expands Access with Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Briar Cliff University (IA) announced the return of its Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a versatile and dynamic major designed to prepare students for a broad spectrum of career opportunities and advanced studies. With a focus on problem-solving, theoretical understanding, and practical application, the mathematics major will be available to students starting in the upcoming academic year in Fall 2025. One of the standout features of the mathematics program is its pre-engineering track, designed to prepare students for expanded career options and seamless transitions to graduate or doctoral studies.
Briar Cliff University also announced two initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher education and fostering academic, spiritual, and personal growth for students. The Iowa Commitment offers tuition-free education for full-Pell Grant eligible Iowa students and the Catholic Connection Scholarship provides a 60 percent tuition discount for Catholic students, aligning with the university’s mission and values. These initiatives underscore Briar Cliff University’s unwavering commitment to fostering educational opportunities and building a supportive environment for students. By removing financial barriers and aligning with the university’s values, Briar Cliff continues to invest in the success and wellbeing of its students, shaping leaders who will impact their communities and the world.
Alvernia University Launches Online Master of Science in Engineering Management Program
Alvernia University (PA) launched a fully online Master of Science in Engineering Management program, designed to equip engineers with the leadership, project management, and business acumen needed to thrive in dynamic technical industries. The program was developed with input from local industry partners, underscoring the emphasis on meeting the needs of the regional workforce.
While fostering technical excellence, the program recognizes the importance of interpersonal skills, effective writing, and impactful presentation abilities—essential traits sought by employers. With a focus on upskilling, the program is tailored for individuals with technical backgrounds, offering a blend of managerial insight and hands-on technical expertise. As the digital landscape evolves, graduates emerge as leaders capable of not only understanding and implementing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, informatics and cybersecurity, but also inspiring and leading diverse teams towards innovation and sustainable success.
University of Richmond Launches and Expands Multiple Programs
The University of Richmond (VA) recently launched the Humanities Center, a campus-wide initiative that will foster student and faculty research across the institution, in all disciplines that make up the humanities. The Humanities Center will work closely with various student-facing offices across campus to showcase the value of a humanities degree in various career paths.
The University of Richmond has also expanded the number of students in Virginia who will qualify for Richmond’s Promise to Virginia by increasing the qualifying income level. Beginning in Fall 2025, qualified Virginians whose total parental income is $75,000 or less will receive grant aid equal to 100 percent of tuition, housing, and food at the university.
Thirdly, the University of Richmond received more than $700,000 in grant support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to establish The Center for Liberal Arts and AI (CLAAI). Launching in Fall 2025, the CLAAI will bring together researchers, students, and educators from 15 colleges to explore pressing social, cultural, and legal questions and dimensions of artificial intelligence, and will be directed by Lauren Tilton, professor of digital humanities.