{"id":90,"date":"2026-03-25T20:54:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpdev.hmc.edu\/campaign\/?page_id=90"},"modified":"2026-04-14T13:26:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:26:38","slug":"pillar-3","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/five-pillars\/pillar-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Access and Opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"pillar-info\" class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pillar-info-heading-3\"><span>Pillar 3<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A Harvey Mudd education is a public good with a private intensity. It transforms the lives of not just our graduates, but also of their families. With graduates having among the highest earning potential of any institution, we prepare our graduates to thrive in a complex and interdisciplinary workforce, which is one key reason Harvey Mudd alumni have always had a disproportionate impact on society. They are at the forefront of solving the world\u2019s greatest challenges, and their technical skills\u2014coupled with their talents as collaborators and communicators\u2014are precisely what the world needs now. To continue our impact into the future, we must be able to recruit the world\u2019s most capable students based on their intellectual ambition and their potential to lead. Philanthropy is the essential engine behind this promise, ensuring that the Harvey Mudd community remains a concentrated hub of talent, ready to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Cost of Excellence in STEM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The demand for cutting-edge facilities and world-class faculty has made STEM the most expensive undergraduate degree to deliver. According to the American Institutes for Research, engineering degrees require nearly double the average spending of other disciplines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Harvey Mudd Promise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Financial aid is our most strategic tool for securing talent. The Harvey Mudd Promise eliminates loans from our financial aid packages, making the College more attractive to families and more empowering for our students. Instead of managing the burden of debt, Harvey Mudd alumni will be free to choose their next steps based on their individual interests and aspirations. The College has recently achieved its goal to become loan-free for families earning $100,000 or less and through The Campaign for Harvey Mudd College, our ambitious goal is to become loan-free for all students and families.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-1-1024x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-1-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-1-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-1-768x450.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Funding Needed to Remove Loans for all Students&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Additional annual financial aid needed: $1.16 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Endowment needed to fully fund: $25.8 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impact Scholars Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Impact Scholars Program is the umbrella for a family of scholarship opportunities that includes research opportunities to support students and faculty, both need- and merit-based scholarships, and an opportunity to connect students with mentors and experiences in a variety of areas. Through The Campaign for Harvey Mudd College, we envision new initiatives being added to the Impact Scholars program based on student and faculty academic interests, societal relevance and impact, and donor interest and commitment. Our goal is to create additional Impact Scholarship opportunities, allowing us to further expand access and affordability to today\u2019s brightest students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supports&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#goal-3\">Strategic Plan Goal 3: An Evolving Institution<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#goal-3\">Objective 3.2: Ensure Access and Equity<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current Opportunities Include<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mudd Opportunity for Research Experience (MORE) Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The MORE program would include a yearly scholarship tentatively set at $25,000 as well as a guaranteed research experience for one summer during a student\u2019s years at Harvey Mudd. Students would receive a summer research stipend and resources would also be provided for a faculty stipend.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Funding Needed to Support the MORE Program<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Annual funding needed with 8 students per year $1 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Endowment needed to fully fund: $22.2 million<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">President\u2019s Scholars Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The President\u2019s Scholars Program has been a flagship program for identifying and attracting the thinkers and doers who will define the next half-century of scientific progress by providing full tuition scholarships. The program promotes excellence and belonging at Harvey Mudd by recognizing incoming first-year students who are committed to making an impact in their own community and in the world.\u00a0 The award is intended to foster these students\u2019 potential as future leaders in the fields of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. President\u2019s Scholars will receive a full-tuition scholarship to Harvey Mudd, renewable for four years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-mudd-highlighted-content\">Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/admission\/afford\/scholarships-and-grants\/merit-based-scholarships\/presidents-scholars-program\/\">President&#8217;s Scholars Program<\/a> to learn more about the program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cultivating the Future of STEM<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-3-1024x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-3-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-3-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-3-768x450.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/pillar-3-3.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure a strong future pipeline of STEM graduates with a solid grounding in the \u201cHarvey Mudd way,\u201d we have launched the Advanced STEAM Pre-college Immersion for Research and Exploration (ASPIRE) High School Summer Academy. This intensive, residential program invites high-achieving high school students into our classrooms and labs to work alongside faculty and student mentors. The two-week, immersion program provides students with hands-on academic experiences, college preparation workshops, field trips and career exploration opportunities and opportunities to use collaborative creativity spaces such as HMC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/makerspace\/\">makerspace<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/colleges.claremont.edu\/thehive\/\">The Hive<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-single is-style-image-left\"><div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-image-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-image\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/ASPIRE-Homepage-Graphics.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1025\" height=\"601\"\/><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-content-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-heading\">Advanced STEAM Pre-collegiate Immersion for Research and Exploration<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy\">\n<p>A two-week residential program where students build real problem-solving, critical-thinking and collaboration skills through hands-on STEAM projects, labs and community experiences. The program is a reflection of Harvey Mudd\u2019s mission to develop well-rounded scientists, engineers and thinkers grounded in both STEM and the humanities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"wp-block-mudd-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/aspire\/\" aria-label=\"Learn more about ASPIRE\"><span>Learn More<\/span><\/a><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supports&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#goal-3\">Strategic Plan Goal 3: An Evolving Institution<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#goal-3\">Objective 3.2: Ensure Access and Equity<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#goal-4\">Strategic Plan Goal 4: A Thriving Community<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"other-pillars\" class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase\"><div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-heading-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-heading h2\">Other Pillars<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-content-wrapper\" data-card-count=\"5\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-1\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0000_1.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 1: Living and Learning Infrastructure<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-2\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0001_2.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 2: Academic Leadership<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-3\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0002_3.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 3: Access and Opportunity<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-4\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0003_4.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 4: Innovation Accelerator (IA)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-5\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0004_5.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 5: Experiential Learning<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-default-all-blocks.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-90","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/90","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=90"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/90\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":256,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/90\/revisions\/256"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=90"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}