The below message was sent to faculty, staff, and students on May 5, 2026.
Dear Bryn Mawr Community,
We write to update you on the most recent Board of Trustees' meeting, which was held on campus April 24-25, 2026.
We welcomed board members to campus with a dinner with members of the Committee on Academic Priorities and the Committee on the Undergraduate Curriculum. On Friday, the Board met in plenary sessions to discuss the College's strategic direction and finances and received an update on sustainability efforts. Also on Friday, Board members had an opportunity to meet with students over lunch either through the Student Experience Working Group (more details below) or with tour guides from Admissions and student interns from Alumnae/i Relations & Development.
Saturday's first session, which included faculty, staff, and student representatives to the Board, featured an interactive session with Vice President and Chief Information Officer and Constance A. Jones Director of Libraries Chris Barth on the library of the future.
During its Annual Meeting on Saturday, the Board unanimously voted in support of the College's strategic direction as the organizing framework for pursuing Bryn Mawr's Mission in the next decade.
Trustees and campus representatives also discussed reports from the following committees and working groups, as follows.
Audit Committee: As it does every year, the committee reviewed a plan for the fiscal year audit. During their committee meeting, they approved an engagement plan presented by Grant Thornton, the College's audit team, a recommendation subsequently approved by the full Board.
Buildings and Grounds Committee: The committee heard a brief update on the Comprehensive Campus Plan. They reviewed work completed by Facilities this fiscal year and plans for projects for 2026-2027, and approved a recommendation to the finance committee on capital projects to fund. Associate Vice President of Facilities Services Ernesto Gonzalez shared his impressions and thoughts about the future based on his first seven months in the role.
Committee on Trustees: The committee approved recommendations of trustees for election and reelection to the Board for next year. The full Board subsequently approved the following recommendations: Anna West '21 as Young Alum Trustee; Dana Thompson '94 as ex officio trustee through her role as President of the Alumnae Association; Sally Bachofer '97, Gina Kim '92, and Lorelei Vargas '94 for second terms as trustees; Linda Hill '77 and Nanar Yoseloff '97 for reelection as special representatives; and Cynthia Archer '75 as emerita trustee. The committee also sought and received approval on a comprehensive revision of the College's bylaws, which included changing this committee's name to the Nominations and Governance Committee.
External Relations Committee: This committee discussed expanding the visibility and reputation of the College. The committee also received an update on government relations from Vice President for External Relations Katie Nash, with a focus on changes that could impact the College's eligibility for federal student loans.
Finance Committee: The committee discussed and approved recommendations for the FY27 operating and capital budgets, which were subsequently approved by the Board. The committee also reviewed FY26 spending.
Academic Affairs Working Group: The working group met with the Advisory Council of the Faculty, the Committee on Academic Priorities (CAP), and the Committee on the Undergraduate Curriculum, receiving reports from both committees. The working group also approved a recommendation from the faculty at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research to designate the master's degree a Master of Social Work (M.S.W) in place of the historical Master of Social Service (M.S.S) to improve legibility and clarity within the broader profession. This recommendation was also approved by the full Board. The working group had an open discussion on envisioning the curriculum of the future.
Student Experience Working Group: This group met with graduate and undergraduate students, including student representatives to the Board, to discuss leading at Bryn Mawr. The group explored how students became leaders, the challenges of student leadership, how these roles are positioning students for life after Bryn Mawr, and their successes and achievements in their roles.
We are grateful for all of the ways our community, including students, staff, faculty, Board members, alums, parents, friends, and so many more, works together in ongoing support of Bryn Mawr's mission.
With thanks,
Wendy, Cynthia, and Saskia
Wendy Cadge
President and Professor of Sociology
Cynthia Archer ’75
Chair, Board of Trustees
Saskia Subramanian ’88, MA ‘89
Chair-Elect, Board of Trustees
