2025-26
President's Report

Continued Investment in Academic Excellence

• The College continues to pursue funding for new academic programs that support the needs of our region while expanding our reach to new populations through updated delivery methods. 

First Online and Low-Residency Programs

• Marietta College’s first fully online program welcomed its inaugural cohort in summer 2026. The graduate-level reading endorsement prepares current teachers for state certification in the science of reading and builds a stackable credential toward a master’s degree in education, requiring only five additional courses for completion.
• The College launched a low-residency Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program to help address a regional shortage of mental health professionals. Much of the coursework is online, with short on-campus residencies to facilitate clinical training. The program is expected to welcome its first cohort in January 2027.

Investment in Graduate Education

• In response to workforce and market demand, the College developed two additional graduate programs in 2026: a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Reading Science. Both programs are expected to enroll their first students in 2027.
• Investments in graduate education are part of a broader initiative to create stronger pathways to advanced study and career advancement. The MBA will support current students who wish to continue their education beyond their undergraduate degree, while the education program provides practicing teachers with a flexible pathway to earning a graduate credential.

The Milone Center for Academic and Career Success

• A $1 million renovation of Legacy Library created the Milone Center for Academic and Career Success, a centralized hub for academic support, career preparation and experiential learning that opened in January 2026. By bringing key resources together in an open, collaborative setting, the Center has made it easier for students to connect with staff and access support. The Academic Resource Center, Writing Studio, Speech Studio, Career Development, and Global and Experiential Learning are now located at the heart of campus on the first floor of the library.

Defining What Sets Us Apart: The Landmark Experience

• For generations, Marietta students have learned by doing through internships, research, leadership opportunities, service, and hands-on experiences that extend well beyond the classroom. During the past year, the College brought these distinctive opportunities together under a unifying identity: the Landmark Experience. This work marked an important step in defining and communicating the distinctive advantages of a Marietta education.

$100,000 NetVUE Grant Advances Purpose Exploration

• A $100,000 grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, or NetVUE, is helping Marietta College strengthen the exploration of purpose across the student experience. Through intentional programming, the grant will support opportunities to integrate purpose exploration into the curriculum, develop peer mentors and student leaders, and create reflective retreat experiences for sophomores and juniors.

Strengthening Campus Traditions and Student Engagement

Building a vibrant campus community means creating opportunities for students to connect, celebrate, and make lasting memories. Over the past year, Marietta College enhanced signature events while strengthening connections among students, families, alumni, and the broader campus community.

• Family Weekend expanded in fall 2025 with the debut of the Marietta College Marketplace, a street fair on the Christy Mall featuring vendors, artisans, food trucks, games and live entertainment. The event welcomed families and community members while bringing new energy to the heart of campus.
• In spring 2026, one of Marietta College’s most enduring traditions entered a new chapter with the debut of Doo Dah Day After Dark. Held in the Hermann Bowl, the expanded evening event offered students more activities, entertainment and opportunities to celebrate together.

Center for Appalachian Innovation Makes Immediate Impact

• Launched in fall 2025 with $1.5 million in funding from the State of Ohio, the Center for Appalachian Innovation quickly established itself as a hub for applied research, community partnership and experiential learning. In its first year, 20 student interns and several research teams addressed challenges in economic development, rural health care and environmental sustainability. Students presented their findings to legislators and community leaders while contributing work that supported local governments, nonprofit organizations and businesses across the region.

Center for Earth, Energy and Environment (CEEE) Builds Momentum

• The appointment of Ben Stuart, Ph.D., as dean and the Center’s inaugural symposium, “Energy and Resource Management: A Path Forward for Appalachia,” marked a significant year for the Center for Earth, Energy and Environment. The symposium brought nationally recognized energy leaders to campus and strengthened relationships with industry partners. These connections will help inform academic program development, expand experiential learning opportunities and prepare students for careers across established and emerging energy sectors.

Partnerships That Strengthen Our Community

This year, Marietta College renewed longstanding partnerships, forged new collaborations, and welcomed community members to campus through initiatives that expanded learning opportunities, celebrated regional heritage, and reinforced the College's role as a vital community partner.

• “One Vote: The Musical” Premieres at Marietta College. The College hosted the premiere of “One Vote: The Musical,” an original production celebrating the history and culture of the region in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Developed in collaboration with the Northwest Territory Museum Society and supported by the Ohio Arts Council, Marietta College, the Center for Appalachian Innovation, and private donors, the production created internship opportunities for students and welcomed community members to Friederich Theater to celebrate the region’s shared heritage.

While celebrating the accomplishments of the past year, Marietta College continued investing in the people, programs, facilities and resources that will shape its future. Accreditation reaffirmation, a revitalized brand, a redesigned website, record-breaking philanthropic support, and comprehensive facilities planning provide a strong foundation for continued growth and long-term financial strength.

Higher Learning Commission Reaffirms Accreditation

• Following a comprehensive review that included an institutional self-study, analysis of College data, a campus visit, and meetings with students, faculty and staff, the Higher Learning Commission reaffirmed Marietta College’s accreditation through 2035–36. The review team determined that the College met all accreditation criteria and required no additional monitoring before its next comprehensive review. The team also recognized the College’s realistic strategic plan, its alignment with the institutional mission and the positive momentum reflected in indicators of financial responsibility.

Defining and Expressing the Marietta Difference

• Marietta College partnered with a marketing and branding firm to define and communicate more clearly what makes a Marietta education distinctive. New brand imagery debuted in fall 2025, followed by a revitalized website in spring 2026. The initiative also gave a unifying identity to the hands-on learning, mentorship, leadership, research and real-world opportunities that have long distinguished the College: the Landmark Experience.

Historic Philanthropic Momentum

• For the second consecutive year, Marietta College achieved the highest fundraising total in its history, receiving $19.3 million in gifts in fiscal year 2026. The total surpassed the previous record of $16.1 million established in fiscal year 2025, demonstrating continued confidence in the College’s mission, students and future.

Planning the Next Generation of Campus Facilities

• Marietta College is laying the groundwork for the next generation of teaching, learning and student life. In partnership with architectural and engineering firms, the College began comprehensive facilities planning to identify strategic investments that will strengthen the student experience and support future growth. Priorities include refreshed academic spaces, upgraded technology infrastructure, and improvements that enhance the student experience.

$3 Million Grant Awarded

• A five-year Title III Strengthening Institutions Program federal grant expands the College's capacity to serve first-generation and limited-income students and provides funds to improve and strengthen our health sciences pipeline. Funds will renovate biology and health science labs, fund startup costs for new health care programs, and strengthen critical IT infrastructure.