66% of incoming undergraduate students are first-generation college students.
62% of undergraduate students are Pell Grant eligible (lowest income).
1,719 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in fall 2023.
570 STUDENTS graduated in 2023–24.
55% of all students identify as people of color.
89% are from Wisconsin.
Data is from Fall 2023.
We are grateful for you!
In my first year as president of Alverno, I have had the honor of meeting students and hearing their stories. Many students have shared that they come to Alverno shy, quiet and uncertain about who they are, but by the time they graduate, they have gained confidence to participate in public speaking, use their voice to advocate for themselves and others, and have found friendships and a place where they belong.
Your support for the College’s highest priorities and student scholarships helps our students access a transformational educational experience at Alverno.
Alverno has faced financial challenges this year and has needed to make some difficult decisions. The decisions we have made balance our College’s 137-year legacy and academic programs of reputational excellence with a focus on how we can best serve students in a more financially sustainable model.
As we move forward, I believe we must embrace our ability to imagine a brighter future, our ability to innovate to achieve our goals and sustain our mission, and our ability to inspire our greater community.
I believe that an Alverno education truly does change lives. Thank you for believing in Alverno and for being part of our incredible community. We appreciate your support and partnership!
Gratefully,
CHRISTY L. BROWN, JD President
Your gift helps students to IMAGINE their future
Whether they dream of becoming a nurse, teacher, counselor, scientist or pursuing any number of career paths, an Alverno education has always provided students with the abilities they need to succeed in their careers and in life.
In 2023–24, your support helped our students achieve many firsts. Two examples: We celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of students in the Thea Bowman Institute for Excellence & Leadership, which prepares graduates to confidently enter their chosen careers as skilled change agents. The first cohort of Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN) students at Alverno’s Mesa, Ariz., nursing education center graduated in May, helping to address the urgent nationwide shortage of health care professionals.
I am an attorney today because of Alverno. During my junior year at Alverno, I walked into the career office looking for an internship and was directed to apply for an internship at the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s office. Alverno staff helped me create my resume and prepare for my interview. That internship sparked my passion for public service and the law.
— CLARE SCHUM ’05 Criminal defense attorney and owner of the Law Office of Clare Schum, LLC
$11
MILLION in scholarships and grants were awarded to undergraduate students.
21 STUDENTS participate in the Thea Bowman Institute.
18
DEMSN STUDENTS at our Mesa, Ariz., nursing education center graduated in May 2024.
32 students received Summit Fund grants this year to complete their final degree requirements.
29 students enrolled in Alverno Accelerate, an online program for adults with some college credit to complete a bachelor’s degree.
The Music Therapy undergraduate program celebrated its 75th ANNIVERSARY.
11 PROFESSIONALS
from Bader Philanthropies, Greenfire Management Services, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Northwestern Mutual, PNC Bank, Ready Rebound and UKG are mentoring students in Alverno’s new three-year undergraduate business degree program.
Your gift helps Alverno to INNOVATE and sustain our mission
Alverno has a history of being a trailblazer in education. When the assessment and feedback model was introduced into the curriculum 50 years ago, the College received international attention. Today, educators from around the world continue to seek out our faculty as experts and innovators in abilities-based education.
The College curriculum is evolving to meet the changing needs of students and employers in our community and respond to market demand — all while keeping focused on sustaining our mission to prepare students for lives of personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world.
I truly believe the abilities-based curriculum is such a transformative model.
I saw it in myself when I was a student at Alver no, and now I’m blessed to carry that forward and be able to help transform students’ lives.
— LINDA OLSZEWSKI ’98 ’08 Professor of Business
Your gift helps to INSPIRE our community
Rooted in the Franciscan values of peace, justice and love, Alverno is a place where all belong. As a minority-serving institution with a Hispanic Serving Institution designation, the sense of inclusion and community that is created here sets Alverno apart from other colleges and is needed now more than ever.
Whether it’s welcoming mental health practitioners to campus to learn about emerging topics of importance, sharing stories of entrepreneurial alums’ successes, or connecting students with alums and employers for mentorship and internship opportunities, individuals in the Alverno community serve in our broader community through professional work and volunteering.
The Thea Bowman Institute provides a platform for Black women to help others in need while developing important skills that we will need to succeed in the workforce and in life. It gives us a space to network and create tidal waves in our communities and at Alverno.
IYANNA
149 participants attended the 2024 Mental Health Summit representing 58 organizations.
In the last 22 years, more than 7,900 Alverno community members have given more than 25,400 hours of service for Alverno’s Community Day.
9 networking, reunion and lifelong learning events for alums were hosted by the Alum Engagement Office.
47 ALUMS made a gift to Alverno for the first time this year.
1,271 DONORS supported Alverno in 2023–24. MILLION raised in 2023–24. $3.3 View a list of our supporters at alverno.edu/igniters.
Together, your gift’s IMPACT reaches further
Gifts from donors like you are vital to sustaining Alverno’s mission, supporting our students, strengthening our community and growing the talent pipeline for employers. Support for the College’s highest priorities and scholarships helps Alverno to grow enrollment in our current academic programs, provide students the resources they need and invest in technologies to operate more efficiently and better serve students.
Alverno is grateful for your support. Gifts of all sizes have an immediate impact on the College and our students. Together, your support and the support of our entire community is helping Alverno to innovate and evolve to create a brighter future.
In May, an anonymous group of donors who believe in the mission of Alverno College stepped forward to challenge the Alverno community to come together in support of the College. The donors will match up to $1.5 million in gifts made to Alverno through December 31, 2024. We appreciate your support and continued partnership.
To help us secure the $1.5 million match, visit alverno.edu/give or scan the QR code.
3400 S. 43rd Street
Milwaukee, WI 53234-3922
alverno.edu/give
THANK YOU for believing in Alverno and our students!
Receiving a scholarship makes such a difference for me. Medical issues within my family make it important for me to pay most of school so it does not put as much of a burden on my mother. Thank you for investing in my education and my future career!
