Institutional Overview
Founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948, Stonehill College is a private Catholic college located just 22 miles from downtown Boston on a beautiful 384-acre campus in Easton, Massachusetts. As a Catholic college, Stonehill is committed to the mutually enriching discourse between intellectual inquiry and a life of faith. As a college in the Holy Cross tradition, Stonehill seeks to help students develop their abilities and discover the deepest longings in their lives. In fulfillment of its motto, Lux et Spes (Latin for “Light and Hope”), the College fosters the competence to see and the courage to act. This commitment is animated by the five values of a Holy Cross education: mind (academic rigor), community, hope, zeal, and heart (service). Stonehill is committed to building and sustaining a campus community that embraces diversity and inclusion in its teaching, learning, living and working. Stonehill values a diversity of persons, opinions, and cultural and religious perspectives. Stonehill is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Stonehill College encourages students to achieve a lifelong desire for self-discovery through academics, student life and leadership. Grounded in the liberal arts with a multi-disciplinary General Education core, Stonehill College offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees, as well as a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications, Master of Education in Inclusive Education, and Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, the College engages more than 2,400 students through its 60 majors and 50 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, and pre-professional fields. The College comprises two schools, the Leo J. Meehan School of Business and the Thomas and Donna May School of Arts & Sciences, both of which are now housed in recently constructed buildings. The College employs 177 full-time faculty members (65% tenured, 17% tenure-track, and 18% term-renewable and visiting). Stonehill launched graduate programs in 2018 and seeks to introduce 4+1 opportunities to enroll Stonehill undergraduates for an additional year in Master’s programs on campus and online. Fifty-nine students are currently enrolled in the College’s three graduate programs.
Mission
Father Basil Moreau, C.S.C., the founder of the Congregation, held as a primary concern that education affects the whole person. Father Moreau spoke and wrote of educating the heart as well as instructing the mind, of developing people of values as well as scholars. As the Mission Statement affirms, “Stonehill College educates the whole person so that each Stonehill graduate thinks, acts and leads with courage to create a more just and compassionate world.”
This mission is celebrated in many ways, including the strong presence of Campus Ministry, a myriad of student service clubs, the annual Founder’s Day Celebration, and nationally recognized visiting speakers. For three consecutive years, Stonehill has been recognized by The Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement, Outreach and Partnership and named to the President’s Honor Roll for Community Service. The Mission Statement strongly resonates with the community, as seen in the 2018 Employee Survey in which 91% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they understand how their work contributes to Stonehill’s mission. In addition, over 90% of graduating seniors in 2018 responded that their Stonehill experience was effective or very effective in preparing them to contribute to a just and compassionate world.
The Student Experience at Stonehill
An active campus with NCAA Division I varsity teams and intramural sports, Stonehill is a vibrant community that offers opportunities for meaningful service experiences that challenge and teach students to be agents of social change. Students at Stonehill make the most of the opportunities offered by the College, with 87% of students participating in internships, study abroad programs, research, or fieldwork. The average undergraduate first to second year retention is 89%, and the average four-year graduation rate is 74%. The six-month and one-year post-grad placement rates are 87.4% and 94%, respectively.
Research and Scholarly Activities at Stonehill
Stonehill faculty are actively engaged in scholarly contributions to their disciplines, while prioritizing their commitment to teaching students within a liberal arts setting. The College makes several internal grants and awards available to faculty and provides assistance in obtaining external funding for scholarly research. Faculty achievements are communicated and celebrated through the annual Excellence in Stonehill Scholarship publication.
Finances and Fundraising
Well-managed fiscally with a strong balance sheet, Stonehill’s financials demonstrate disciplined and deliberate planning, resulting in consistent budget surpluses. The College’s annual operating budget is $100 million, and the endowment is valued at approximately $294 million. Stonehill recently completed the To Be Bold campaign raising $77.3 for scholarships, academic initiatives and capital construction for new academic buildings.
Faculty Governance
Faculty are key stakeholders and are committed to Stonehill’s continued success and excellence. Faculty voices are heard informally and formally through various forums and committees. Elected by the faculty and with representation from across disciplines, the Faculty Senate meets regularly and enhances its work through the following standing committees: Curriculum; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Professional Development; Compensation; Governance; Standards and Standing; and Rank and Tenure. The Faculty Senate President and Vice President, elected by the Senators, attend regular meetings with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and President and meet annually with the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Campus, Local Community, and Location
A suburb of Boston with a population of approximately 24,000, Easton, Massachusetts has experienced rapid and positive growth over the last decade. Easton offers its citizens the enjoyment of the Natural Resource Trust Sheep Pasture and Borderland State Park. Approximately 15% of the community is dedicated conservation land. A recent redesign of the 375-acre campus created a “walking campus,” which includes ponds and wooded trails, complementing the town’s dedication to preservation and conservation. Stonehill is also adjacent to the historic city of Brockton, which prides itself on its diversity of cultures and is home to approximately 100,000 residents. Supporting the community by providing access to educational and athletic facilities, as well as a number of practica and internships, the College is an integral part of its neighboring communities. The campus remains active during the summer months, hosting a variety of academic and recreational programs for both adults and children.
Strategic Plan
Stonehill’s most recent strategic plan calls for Stonehill to engage every student in a 21st century curriculum that prepares them for lives of meaning and purpose. The plan’s initiatives contribute to six key themes:
- Recruiting and Enrolling the Next Generation
- Reimagining the Curriculum for the 21st Century
- Engaging Every Student
- Inspiring Lives of Social Responsibility
- Cultivating a Culture of Collaboration
- Managing Our Financial Resources