Vision 2030: Background Statement

Innovation and Agility with Purpose

CASE BACKGROUND

The Vision 2030 Strategic Plan sets a bold path for Bryant University

This is our time to move to a place of national recognition for transformational learning experiences, exceptional outcomes, and developing passionate, purpose-driven leaders.

Over its 160-year history, Bryant has always innovated with agility and purpose. Bryant’s roots can be traced to 1863. As the Civil War was winding down, Bryant offered veterans a fast-tracked program in Providence, Rhode Island, so they could start rebuilding their lives. Nearly a century later, Earl Tupper gifted his farmland to Bryant, and the institution moved to Smithfield in 1967. And now, with the generous donation from neighboring Fidelity Investments of 100 Salem Street, the university is expanding and embarking on a new era of excellence and innovation.

Throughout every evolution, the institution has kept its strong mission and realworld focus to prepare succeeding generations of students for successful careers and rewarding futures. Bryant is among the nation’s very best when it comes to return on educational investment and economic mobility.*

To ensure Bryant’s top 1% student outcomes, we must continue to build upon our strong foundation. Vision 2030 elevates initiatives of strategic importance, such as deepened artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics preparation across the curriculum; a new focus on education at the intersection of health and business; and enhanced emphasis on experiential learning.

Vision 2030 is what Bryant needs today — and, more importantly, what the world needs tomorrow.

* Georgetown University and Harvard Opportunity Project

Vision 2030: Innovation and Agility with Purpose

The Strategic Plan keeps Bryant agile, innovative, and studentfocused. New strategic initiatives will fuel Bryant forward: big data and AI preparation across the curriculum, education at the intersection of health and business, and experiential learning that evolves every student into a real-world-ready professional.

By 2030, Bryant University will be renowned for:

Top 1% ROI

Economic mobility champion

Top 10 ranked undergraduate business program

Campus life integration with academics

Experiential learning innovation

Women’s leadership and success

Top 10% ROI for Graduate and Professional Education

A Transformational Philanthropic Initiative

To fund this forward-focused initiative, Bryant will embark on a major mission-driven campaign that seeks to raise $150 million with studentfocused investments in:

An Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

Together, we can empower the next generation with the curiosity, confidence, and experience to make better decisions and build a better world. With Vision 2030, it’s possible.

Enhancing an Ecosystem of Academic Excellence

Innovative teaching and learning are woven throughout a student’s journey. Our academic excellence ecosystem is designed to invigorate intellectual curiosity and create globally minded, empathetic leaders.

Project Snapshot

•AI and Data Center

•Professional Sales Hub

•Archway Investment Program

•Science Labs

•Maker Space and Design Thinking Lab

•Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

•Executive-in-Residence Engagement Hub

Priority Details

Bryant is committed to motivating our students to make better decisions by harnessing the power of data, analytics, and technology. In addition, Vision 2030 positions the institution to be a national destination for top-ranked business programs, as well as integrated programs that infuse our expertise in business into the health sciences and liberal arts.

To enhance the academic ecosystem, we will:

Deepen artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data and data analytics preparation across the curriculum, equipping and motivating our students to make decisions guided by purpose, ethical principles, and values. Attract and retain globally renowned and diverse faculty.

Invest in top-tier facilities that create learning spaces for inquisitive, creative, and entrepreneurial minds.

Invest in signature academic programs, technology, and innovative teaching methods.

Integrate United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in business, arts and sciences interdisciplinary education.

Support talent development and lifelong learning through market-driven innovative career accelerator programming.

A Unistructure expansion with spaces like this chemistry lab will give students hands-on practice in their future field.

Supporting Vibrant Student Life

Investments in experience-rich student life to ensure success for all students is critical. It starts with campus spaces for gathering, reflection, and recreation.

Project Snapshot

•Women’s Leadership Institute

•Student Engagement and Wellness Program

•Country-Comfort/Bulldog Tavern

•Student Residential Experience

•Enhanced Common Spaces

Priority Details

Programming that supports diversity, inclusion, and belonging on campus can deepen students’ connection to Bryant and each other. Imagine a Community Service Office, Women’s Leadership Institute, and mentorship and wellness environments that give students a more meaningful, impactful Bryant experience. It all can happen with Vision 2030.

To support vibrant student life, we will:

Invest in student housing and infrastructure to match our student growth.

Support programming with a focus on community impact and leadership development.

Expand student on-campus engagement opportunities, including late-night programming, leadership opportunities, and a dedicated Community Service Office.

Fund student-centered initiatives such as arts and performing arts experiences, a comprehensive wellness program, and a formal mentorship program for firstgeneration students.

Common gathering spaces like Bulldog Tavern will deepen Bryant students’ sense of community.

Investing in Premier Division I and Recreational Athletics

Bryant will make strategic, intentional investments in scholarships, programming, and facilities that attract the best and brightest

Division I scholar-athletes to our fields, courts, and classrooms.

Project Snapshot

•Basketball and Volleyball Arena

•Field Hockey AstroTurf

•New Soccer Field

•Black and Gold Reception Area

•Stadium Fieldhouse Stands and Lockers

Priority Details

These Bulldogs are transformed not only by their amazing academic experience but also by an athletics program and coaching staff that delivers at the very highest levels. Our student-athletes’ achievements unify the Bryant community, set an example of discipline and leadership, and grow Bryant’s brand awareness nationwide.

To invest in premier DI athletics and recreational facilities, we will: Build “best-in-class” athletic facilities.

Bolster scholarship funds to recruit the best and brightest Division I student-athletes.

Launch new nutrition and wellness programs to help provide high-quality nutrition for more than 600 scholar-athletes to improve strength, reduce recovery time, and prevent injury/illness.

A reimagined Chace Athletic Center will bring a 2,800-seat arena with new club-level seating and private event space to Bulldog fans.

Championing Economic Mobility

The university’s exceptional outcomes on Pell Grant student earnings, eliminating the gender wage gap, and economic mobility show there is value and transformational power in a Bryant education.

Student Outcomes

Top 10 private colleges for social mobility

$68.6K mean starting salary for Pell Grant students in the Class of 2022

Bryant’s women graduates have closed the gender wage gap by 96% compared to the 82% national average

Priority Details

Bryant should be accessible to qualified students whose ambition and ability exceed their financial resources. Vision 2030 will provide the needed support to ensure talented students of all backgrounds can be part of Bryant’s next generation of passionate, purpose-driven leaders.

To champion economic mobility, we will: Support a sustainable scholarship pool to compete regionally, nationally, and globally for the most deserving and qualified students.

Enhance athletic scholarships that increase our ability to recruit outstanding DI student-athletes.

Enhance scholarships to enable highly talented Pell Grant and first-generation students to realize their dreams of coming to Bryant to benefit from our vibrant, caring, and outcome-driven community.

Bryant

History is in the making. Building on our solid foundation and generous gift of 100 SALEM STREET, Bryant will not only increase its footprint but also its ability to deliver on Vision 2030 priorities: academic excellence, vibrant student life, best-in-class Division I athletic and recreational facilities, and economic mobility.

The campus will be reimagined and student experiences will be transformed. Dedicated spaces for deep experiential learning, design thinking, professional sales, AI, data analytics, and the business of healthcare will inspire purpose-driven leaders. New residence and co-curricular spaces like the Women’s Leadership Institute and Center for Entrepreneurship will create community, conversation, and connection. Bulldogs will cheer athletic teams and gather for signature events in a state-of-the-art arena. And because student success is at Bryant’s core, all institutional investments will support top 1% student outcomes.

It’s a future we can create together. Our new era of innovation and agility begins now.

Philanthropic Opportunities

ACADEMICS

Naming Colleges

AI and Data Center

Entrepreneurship Center

Maker Space and Design Thinking Lab

IDEA Program

Archway Investment Program

Digital Comm/Marketing Lab

Broadcast Studio

Exercise Science Lab

Teaching and Science Labs

Psychology Observation Lab

STUDENT LIFE AND SUCCESS

Women’s Leadership Institute

- Women in Finance

“Bulldog Tavern”/Country-Comfort

Center for Student Success

IDEA Program

Honors Program

Residence Halls Upgrades

Living and Learning Communities

ECONOMIC MOBILITY

Pell Grants and First-Generation

Scholarships

Athletic Scholarships

General Scholarships

COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS

Arena, Support Facilities, Locker Rooms

Stadium Fieldhouse, Stands, Locker Rooms

Field Hockey AstroTurf Field

Soccer Field

Track and Field

Be Bryant. Be Transformational. Be a 2030 Visionary.

Since our founding in 1863, Bryant University has transformed lives through innovative, real-world education. We are committed to meeting the challenges of the next decade and well beyond.

Vision 2030 pushes the Bryant community to continue our important work and propel Bryant University to the next level of accomplishment and recognition.

$150 MILLION

Bryant is preparing to launch a comprehensive campaign to address today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. We’re building this effort on a solid foundation of past fundraising success and confidence in Vision 2030. Now is the time to invest in Bryant’s students and the institution’s future to ensure that we are producing the best, most innovative, and ethical leaders.

We are seeking your insight to help us develop an informed plan of action. The guidance of Bryant leaders, alumni, students, and families is vital to ensuring this vision serves our students’ needs and has the support of the community.