Board of Trustees Update, Nov. 13, 2025

College Community,

The Harvey Mudd College Board of Trustees joined faculty, students, alumni, staff and College leadership for our annual Saddle Rock Retreat Nov. 7-9. Against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, we spent three inspiring days reflecting on Harvey Mudd’s past and envisioning our impactful future, together.

This year’s retreat focused on the theme “STEM for a Better World: Harvey Mudd’s Next Horizon” and marked both a milestone and a turning point. As we celebrated the College’s 70th anniversary, we also looked ahead to the next decade of innovation and impact—guided by our strategic plan and energized by our upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Reflecting on the Power of Purpose

On Friday, President Harriet B. Nembhard reminded us why our mission matters now more than ever by asking participants a key question: “What does the world need from Harvey Mudd College?” Her message on how the College’s unique mission, coupled with our community’s ability to reach across disciplines to harness our strengths, inspired us to explore ways to turn possibility into progress.

We also were joined by Peter Hayashida, chair of the board of directors, senior consultant and principal of Marts&Lundy, a leading consultancy in helping nonprofit organizations plan effective fundraising campaigns. Peter shared results from the recent testing of potential campaign priorities, messages and themes, and together, we discussed how we can translate the bold aspirations of our STEM for a Better World strategic plan into tangible actions. Many of the potential campaign priorities were explored in more detail during our weekend’s activities, and we are grateful to the faculty, staff and students who shared their insights and feedback with us. There will be more conversations on campus around these ideas, including discussions around the three building projects called for in our campus plan.

Conversations that Inspire Action

Throughout the weekend, participants engaged in rich dialogue on topics central to Harvey Mudd’s future:
Student Success: We were joined by several of our current students who participated in a panel discussion about their experiences at Harvey Mudd. We appreciate their willingness to share their honest feedback and reflections on what it means to be a Mudder today, and we were inspired by their stories and accomplishments.

College Affordability

As part of the work of the Task Force on College Affordability, we discussed how we can ensure that every talented student has access to a Harvey Mudd education without the burden of debt after graduation. We also talked about new potential merit scholarship options focused on student research as well as the importance of increasing giving to the endowment through the upcoming campaign as key to achieving some of the ambitious goals we anticipate will be recommended by the task force.

Innovation Accelerator (IA) and IA Laboratories

Faculty leaders showcased three dynamic labs—Thriving, Data Science and Social Impact, and Emerging Health Technology—and we heard three pitches for potential new projects centered around exploring innovations in artificial intelligence. During Saturday’s working lunch, attendees provided feedback to each of our IA Lab teams, including the three teams pitching new projects on AI. We look forward to hearing more about these projects in the months ahead.

Future Campus Planning

Following a panel discussion from students and faculty about how recent new buildings, spaces and renovations have created greater opportunities for learning and discovery, we brainstormed how the future spaces called for in our strategic plan—a new academic building, residence hall, and a student union—can help foster greater collaboration and discovery.

A Celebration of Community

Saturday evening’s 70th anniversary dinner was a joyful highlight as we honored the past seven decades of innovation, collaboration and leadership at Harvey Mudd. Everyone appreciated sharing memories, and we were all touched by President Nembhard’s remarks about the importance of our stewardship in ensuring that our amazing college can continue to thrive and fulfill its mission for generations to come. We were all reminded that Harvey Mudd’s legacy is not only about our shared past, but also about the many exciting horizons we have yet to explore together.

Looking Ahead

Throughout our retreat, we were all inspired by the commitment and talent within our community—students pushing the boundaries of learning, faculty advancing important discoveries in teaching and scholarship, staff driving and sustaining ongoing excellence, and alumni and trustees helping us achieve our goals for the future through their commitment and support.

As we move toward launching the leadership phase of our comprehensive campaign in 2026, we do so with renewed confidence that Harvey Mudd College is poised to lead boldly in STEM for a Better World. I want to thank all of you for being part of this extraordinary community and for all that you do to sustain Harvey Mudd’s mission every day. Together, we are building the next chapter for a college that continues to explore innovative approaches to solving key societal challenges—one whose impact is felt far beyond Claremont.

Sincerely,

Jim Bean ’77
Chair, HMC Board of Trustees