鶹AV

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Inspired by President Steven Tepper’s vision for 鶹AV College, the “What If” Initiative serves as a platform to explore and develop new ideas through interdisciplinary innovation, to emphasize the creative spirit of a liberal arts education, and to provide opportunities to test transformative concepts — turning speculative ‘What If’ ideas into tangible advances that shape the future of education. This program is funded by the Office of the President.

Timeline

Part I: Engage

Submit “What If” Questions & Ideas

All members of the campus community were invited to submit their “What If” questions and ideas. The College received more than 300 submissions before the October 28 deadline.

Part II: Collaborate

Explore & Develop Ideas (November)

More than 90 campus community members attended a brainstorming event open to all students, faculty, and staff that took place on Wednesday, Nov. 13, in Burke Library. This event was designed to facilitate enhanced discussions of an idea and for community members to attend and find collaborators.

Part III: Transform

Submit a “What If” Proposal
Deadline: Friday, Jan. 17

The online portal is now open! Selected proposals, which will be announced sometime during the Spring 2025 semester, will receive funding to support implementation and/or further research and development.

The “What If” Initiative is designed to support ideas from the 鶹AV community that:
  • Experiment with new ways for students to experience learning
  • Encourage innovative teaching
  • Explore new ways to support students
  • Enhance our campus community’s creative commitment to expression, fostering belonging, and connection, through the practice of the liberal arts
  • Increase our capacity as a college for collaboration, creative exchange, and non-routine approaches to fostering community, expression, and connection

Initiative Overview

Types of “What If” Proposals

Budget: Less than $2,000

Spark propositions are typically small-scale ideas with a modest budget that can be designed within a semester and implemented the following semester.

Budget: Less than $10,000

Catalyst propositions are more complex ideas that will likely require expanded community partnerships and take up to a full academic year to develop. The expectation is that they would be implemented the following academic year.

Transformational propositions do not have a maximum funding limit and represent ideas that will significantly enhance the College's ability to serve our students and build our reputation as a leader among small residential liberal arts colleges.

Important Dates

Contact

Office / Department Name

Office of the President

Contact Name

"What If" Initiative Committee

Help us provide an accessible education, offer innovative resources and programs, and foster intellectual exploration.

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