Summer 2025 Update

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I hope your summer is off to a good start—whether you’re participating in summer research or course offerings, preparing for fall, traveling, or simply taking well-deserved time to rest, reflect and recharge. I am writing to share some updates on what’s been happening at Harvey Mudd College so far this summer, and to express my gratitude for your ongoing commitment to our mission and to the ambitious goals we have set together through our strategic plan, STEM for a Better World.

Celebrating Summer Engagement

As I begin my third year as president of the College, I continue to be energized by the purposeful activity that fills our campus each summer. Across the College, many of our faculty have been advancing research with their students, presenting at conferences, and developing new pedagogical approaches to enhance the learning experience in the year ahead.

I am especially inspired by the faculty who spend these months mentoring student researchers in areas ranging from climate modeling and sustainable energy systems to inclusive computing and accessible design. These collaborations not only enrich the academic journeys of our students, but they also serve to advance our collective pursuit of STEM for the benefit of society.

In addition, many of our faculty and staff have represented Harvey Mudd at national and international conferences, sharing their work and forging new collaborations that will open additional pathways for our students. Their work exemplifies our shared commitment to combining intellectual rigor with real-world impact, and they continue to position Harvey Mudd as a source of leadership across disciplines.

I also want to thank the many staff members who have kept the College running smoothly this summer. Whether refreshing our facilities, supporting summer research programming, planning student activities for the fall, or strengthening systems and infrastructure, your efforts have been instrumental in preparing us for the year ahead. I am deeply grateful for your dedication and care. 

Elevating Student Experiences

Shortly after we celebrated our Class of 2025 at Commencement, I travelled to New York with VP and Dean of Students Cindy Martinez and seven of our President’s Scholars—who also served as Annenberg Fellows in this past year’s Annenberg Leadership Forum—for a leadership-focused trip. 

The experience was designed to expand how our students imagine their own impact. We explored global cooperation and science diplomacy at the United Nations, discussed innovation and entrepreneurship with recent Annenberg Leadership Forum speaker Ajit Singh, visited a non-profit focused on adaptive design for children with disabilities, and reflected on justice and systems thinking through art and storytelling. The trip exemplifies how the President’s Scholars Program is evolving into a leadership academy that can help students connect their STEM-focused liberal arts education to global challenges in powerful and personal ways.

Extending our Global Reach

In June, alongside VP for Advancement Jennifer Eccles and Trustee Jessica Skon, I hosted two Presidential Conversation Series events in London. These small gatherings convened leaders in academia, industry and philanthropy to explore the role of science diplomacy in advancing international cooperation. They also provided opportunities to introduce Harvey Mudd’s mission to new audiences and to strengthen strategic partnerships that will benefit our students, faculty and the College as a whole.

Responding to a Shifting Landscape

We find ourselves in a period of disruption—politically, socially, and economically. The shifting landscape of higher education reflects broader societal tensions: a renewed scrutiny of institutional values, challenges to international exchanges, and new pressures to prove the relevance of what we teach and how we teach it.

In this context, Harvey Mudd must continue to lead. We cannot simply adapt to these external pressures—we must harness the power of this moment to sharpen our commitments: to access and equity, to scientific excellence in the service of humanity, and to preparing our students to become leaders who can meet the world’s most complex challenges with empathy and resolve. This work is more urgent than ever before, and we are all undertaking it guided by our shared values, with our eyes wide open, and our purpose firmly in place.

Charting Our Future Together

Our STEM for a Better World strategic plan continues to shape our trajectory and accelerate these efforts. The Innovation Accelerator Lab teams are working closely with VP and R. Michael Shanahan Dean of the Faculty Karl Haushalter and VP Eccles to develop their team’s project budgets and campaign white papers in preparation for our upcoming fundraising efforts. These teams also will play a key role in our future Innovation Showcase events and will share their work at Saddle Rock 2025, ensuring we continue to connect our mission-driven innovation directly with our philanthropic efforts.

The Office of College Advancement continues to work with our philanthropic partners at Marts&Lundy to prepare for our next comprehensive fundraising campaign. Their work this summer has focused on aligning our fundraising portfolio with key priorities from the strategic plan and testing those priorities with alumni, trustees, friends and donors. We look forward to sharing updates on this important planning work in the fall. 

Our strategic planning Task Force on College Affordability continues to make progress toward ensuring that a Harvey Mudd education remains accessible to all qualified students, aligning with our strategic goal of fostering equity and expanding opportunity for all students. The group’s work, informed by community feedback and national trends, will be shared with the campus community this fall as we continue exploring new models for affordability.

Celebrating 70 Years of Harvey Mudd College

As we mark the 70th anniversary of Harvey Mudd College this academic year, we are planning two special events that will highlight our College’s distinctive past and celebrate our ambitious future. 

• September 25—We will host a mini-symposium featuring a spotlight on the College’s academic innovation—from our new Carnegie classification as a Research College, to updates on our Innovation Accelerator Labs, and insights on scholarship and strengths. 
• December 5—We will gather for a community celebration featuring a photo exhibit and reception showcasing the collage of “Mudd Moments” submitted by our community, accompanied by remarks from members of our founding class and Board leadership. 

These events will bookend our fall term and provide meaningful opportunities for our community to reflect on the shared legacy of Harvey Mudd College while also envisioning all that we will accomplish together.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

As I reflect on all these activities and plans for the fall, I am reminded of the exceptional commitment each of you brings to our shared work. Your dedication—whether in the lab, in the classroom, in offices across campus, or through the care you show one another—makes Harvey Mudd a place where mission, excellence, and compassion meet in the service of something much greater.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement as our community continues to advance our goals as part of STEM for a Better World. I am deeply grateful for your contributions to our community, and I look forward to all we will achieve together in the months and years ahead.

I wish you all a restorative and inspiring rest of the summer, and I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Sincerely, 

Harriet B. Nembhard
President