TCNJ

3 There is a reason that The College of New Jersey is considered an exemplar of public higher education in the United States. Throughout its history, TCNJ has been committed to excellence; planning for future challenges while continually strengthening the student experience. Our goal has always been to deliver the highest quality education possible. This tradition continues with TCNJ 2021: Bolder, Better, Brighter, a new five-year strategic plan approved by the Board of Trustees in April. The document is the result of a yearlong process that was built on extensive participation from across the campus. Along with renewed mission, vision, and values statements, the plan sets forth five strategic priorities (see page 5), which will focus our efforts for the near term. It puts diversity, inclusion, and health and wellness in the foreground as we seek to recruit and retain talented students, staff, and faculty. Our new plan challenges us to enrich our Signature Experiences (see sidebar), and to continue to grow our reputation regionally and nationally. The plan supports these academic imperatives through enhancements to the physical and technological infrastructure, while ensuring the college remains financially sustainable in these challenging times. The work in support of the strategic plan will enhance an institution that is already exceptional, as is evidenced by the many accomplishments that are documented in this report. In the past year, we've received national recognition for the way in which we've integrated mentored undergraduate research, a high-impact educational practice, into our curriculum, and for being a "Great College to Work For." The four-year graduation rate of our Educational Opportunity Fund scholars jumped 20 points to almost equal that of our overall cohort, a rate that is fifth highest in the nation among public colleges and universities. And our graduates continue to find success in launching their careers and gaining admission to top graduate programs. We embark upon the work of this plan at a challenging time in our nation's history, with the population polarized and racial tensions elevated. How appropriate, then, that we made building a diverse and inclusive campus a priority. TCNJ must embrace its special responsibility as a leader in higher education by confronting violence and prejudice through civility and respectful disagreement. We have already begun advancing this priority by engaging the Sustained Dialogue Institute to deliver programming that enables participants to transform confrontational relationships. By enhancing the educational experience in this way, we are preparing our students to meet the challenges of our times. The stakes couldn't be higher. As Thomas Jefferson said, "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people." R. Barbara Gitenstein President Dear Friends, ANNUAL REPORT 2015–2016 TAKE FIVE These five distinctive Signature Experiences are the hallmark of excellence at The College of New Jersey: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, MENTORED INTERNSHIPS, AND FIELD EXPERIENCES PERSONALIZED, COLLABORATIVE, AND RIGOROUS EDUCATION COMMUNITY ENGAGED LEARNING GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

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