Strategic Plan 2025–2030

Letter from President Lesperance

Dear NEC Community,

The next five years will be transformative for New England College. Grounded in our liberal arts tradition and inspired by bold aspirations, our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan lays out a clear and ambitious path forward—one centered on student success, innovation, and impact.

This Strategic Plan is built around four Strategic Priorities:

1. Position NEC to Thrive
2. Invest in NEC’s Misson and Vision
3. Build Excitement and Expand Awareness
4. Foster Institutional Excellence and NEC Pride

These priorities serve as a roadmap for action—with measurable goals like ensuring graduates’ career readiness, launching new academic and athletic programs, and continuing record-breaking fundraising achievements. Just as importantly, it reflects who we are: a close-knit, student-centered college with a bold vision for the future.

Together, we will shape a future rooted in purpose, powered by innovation, and defined by community. Thank you for being part of this journey. Go, ‘Grims!

Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance, Jr.
President
New England College

Strategic Priorities and Goals

Position NEC to Thrive

NEC will increase enrollment across its programs, improve student retention and graduation, increase fundraising, expand athletic programs, deepen its connections with academic partners, and increase the flexibility of degree programs to meet student needs.

Invest in NEC’s Mission and Vision

NEC will review all its offerings, ensure degree programs align with industry standards, build new academic partnerships, improve career readiness for graduates, and establish industry-related advisory boards.

Build Excitement and Expand Awareness

NEC will invest in advertising and promotion efforts, deepen alumni and community engagement, improve its marketing infrastructure, and leverage developments in AI.

Foster Institutional Excellence and NEC Pride

NEC will develop a robust technology plan to foster college-wide efficiency while continuing to improve employee engagement, student experience, and customer service.

Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles

Mission

We foster student success through excellence in transformative education, critical thinking, civic
engagement, and career development. We help our graduates build their foundation for a meaningful life.

Vision

We will be a leader in the Northeast, integrating a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum with focused career development.

Guiding Principles

At New England College, our guiding principles reflect who we are and what we strive to advance every day.

Student Achievement
We are committed to supporting student success by delivering transformative educational experiences and clear pathways to meaningful careers.

Institutional Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in academics, operations, athletics, and service, continually striving to improve our performance, outcomes, and impact.

Community and Common Purpose
We nurture a culture of belonging, respect, and shared purpose where our entire community feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Innovation and Technology
We embrace innovation and leverage emerging technologies to enhance teaching, learning, communication, and institutional effectiveness.

Global Engagement and Lifelong Learning
We grow through strategic partnerships and reinvest in our people, programs, and places to ensure relevance and resilience well into the future.

Impact and Implementation

Impact

The impact of this Strategic Plan will be far reaching and student focused.

Students will receive greater support, gain access to new programs, and enjoy closer connections to work and careers.

Faculty and staff will see new professional development pathways, modernized infrastructure, and strengthened collaboration.

Alumni will have more opportunities to engage, mentor, and give back.

Our community will benefit from increased visibility, deeper partnerships, and a stronger NEC presence.

Implementation

To bring this Plan to life, NEC will:

Work collaboratively across campus departments and with supporters of NEC to accomplish each strategic priority.

Track progress using data dashboards, key performance indicators, and annual milestones.

Engage the NEC community through updates, feedback loops, and strategic forums.