June 2026 Board Meeting Update

The Board of Trustees met on the College campus June 4–6, 2026.  June is always a quieter time on campus, with most students and faculty away for the summer. That quieter rhythm gave the Board valuable space to spend meaningful, unhurried time with the executive team and members of the campus leadership teams. We are deeply grateful for the thoughtfulness and preparation that went into those conversations. They help us stay close to the work and support Principia’s leadership.

As always, our time together was anchored in prayer and metaphysical work. From an interactive exercise identifying, in recent Bible Lessons, the many ways one can serve the Cause of Christian Science to a rich and searching conversation on Love meeting every need, our time together was both grounding and uplifting. It left us with a renewed sense that the work before us is not only shared, but already supported.

Campus and Institution Updates

Both the School and College leadership teams presented detailed SWOT analyses (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). These conversations gave the Board a clearer understanding of how each campus is thinking about growth, where progress is being made, and where careful attention is still needed. We are grateful for the clarity and candor these sessions provided.

At the School, we were encouraged by enrollment progress and the clear path toward 520 students this fall, supported by both new enrollment and retention efforts. We were especially appreciative of student academic performance. MAP assessment data shows our Upper, Middle, and Lower School students outperforming national averages and, where we have peer data for comparison in Lower and Middle School, outperforming our independent peer schools. We also want to give a special callout to the Upper School Class of 2026, who achieved an average in the 85th percentile in Math and 82nd percentile in Reading nationally, a strong indicator that they are well prepared for what comes next.

At the College, we heard encouraging momentum in admissions. Compared to the past five years, applications, admits, and committed students for this fall have all reached their highest levels, with commits up 27% year over year. This puts the College on track to meet its goal of 125 new students this fall, with a strong incoming class average GPA of 3.59. We also appreciated greater clarity on the pathway between Upper School and College, including that nearly 30% of this year’s graduating class is enrolling at Principia College. The Board also heard from VisionPoint, the partner developing a strategic enrollment management plan focused on long-term sustainability. Their approach includes strengthening recruitment and retention, aligning messaging with key audiences, improving onboarding, and building the infrastructure needed to support enrollment growth. We see both the significant work ahead and a clear, achievable path forward, which is encouraging.

Capital projects on both campuses were also a focus of discussion. The School and College shared long-term plans and progress to date, including Upper School renovations and the College dining room renovation.

As we near the close of the fiscal year and review updated FY26 projections, we are on track to finish the year within budget thanks to the strong stewardship shown by budget managers across both campuses. Their care and discipline continue to strengthen Principia’s financial position, and we were pleased to see thoughtful use of strategic funds such as the College’s "Move the Needle" initiative to support priority areas.

We also appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the new Interim Chief Technology Officer Rick Herman and hear his early thinking. His approach focuses on stabilizing, aligning, modernizing, and optimizing technology across both campuses, with an emphasis on building a service-oriented IT function that supports the institution’s work more effectively.

A highlight of the weekend was lunch with some of the College’s international students, whose perspectives and experiences offered important insight and deepened the Board’s understanding of student experience.

Decisions and Approvals

As part of its review of the capital projects plan, the Board approved key investments in College facilities and ongoing work at the School, including construction services for the new School parking lot and related roadway improvements.

The Board also approved fundraising priorities and goals for FY27 in support of institutional priorities.

Board Actions and Elections

The Board held its annual elections for leadership:

• Board Chair: Kristin Jamerson
• Board Vice Chair: Todd Boyman
• Trusteeship Committee Chair: Chestnut Booth

Additional Executive Committee officers:

• Treasurer: David Walters
• Secretary: Liz Crow
• At-Large: Trish Sarkisian

We are grateful for the continued service of Liz Crow, Inez Maubane Jones, and Terry McNabb, who were re-elected to additional terms as Trustees.

We extend our deep appreciation to Scott Schneberger, whose final term concluded with this meeting. Scott has served Principia with distinction in many roles, including Board Chair, Acting Chief Executive, and College Dean of Academics and Provost. We are sincerely grateful for his long-standing leadership and commitment.

Each year, the Board seeks a range of perspectives that reflect our broader community when electing new Trustees, thoughtfully identifying candidates whose backgrounds and experiences strengthen the Board. During this meeting, we elected two new Trustees:

Janet Lavin Rapelye is a recently retired higher education leader who served as president of the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE) after a distinguished career in admissions. She was previously Dean of Admission at Princeton University and Wellesley College, and earlier worked in admissions at Stanford University and Williams College. She has previously served on the Board of Trustees for Principia as well. Janet is a graduate of Williams College and holds a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University.

Janessa Gans Wilder (C’98) is a peace leader, educator, and nonprofit founder best known for founding and leading the Euphrates Institute, a global peacebuilding organization she guided as CEO for over a decade. Her career spans service in the U.S. intelligence community, including time in Iraq, and later teaching as a Visiting Professor at Principia College while building programs that connected students to global peace work. A Principia College graduate, she also holds an M.A. in International Policy Studies from Stanford University.

The Board is deeply heartened by the ongoing dedication of the entire community to our mission, especially the leadership at Principia, and joins in daily prayer for Principia. 

Come we daily then, dear Father, Open hearts and willing hands, 
Eager ears, expectant, joyful, Ready for Your right commands. 
We would hear no other voices, We would heed no other call; 
You alone are good and gracious, You our Mind and You our All. 
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 474:2)