October 2025 Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees gathered for our fall meeting on the College campus October 23–25, 2025. Our sessions were held in the Library’s Marshall Brooks Room overlooking the Chapel Green, surrounded by colorful fall trees and the backdrop of the Mississippi River. It was a beautiful setting for a weekend of thoughtful discussion and collaboration.

Even more inspiring than the view, however, was the opportunity to engage directly with students, faculty, staff, and administrators and to join in the flow of a vibrant fall semester. Trustees particularly enjoyed shared meals and conversations across campus, as well as attending several community events and gatherings.

Each day began with inspirational readings followed by sharing spiritual insights from our daily prayerful support for Principia. Hymn 601 set the unifying tone for our time together: “Of one accord, of one Mind, our healing mission we find. . . . The Comforter is with us; its presence here assures us: ‘I am guiding you and uniting you through the love of God’s Son. I am blessing you; I am healing you; I am making you one’” (Christian Science Hymnal).

Campus Engagement and Activities
We were grateful to have dinner at the Guest House with the five Center Directors who were joined by the Interim College President and Interim Academic Dean. Following dinner, the Center Directors provided an engaging panel discussion about how the new Centers and reimagined curriculum that launched this fall are transforming teaching and learning across campus. Their examples illustrated the exciting interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation now underway. We are grateful to see the exciting results from the last two years of work by the College faculty to refresh academic offerings and reorganize the way students learn.

Additional highlights and opportunities to connect include:

  • Lunch with the Academic Services staff, including teams supporting the Library, Advising, Academic Technology, Career Center, and Writing Center
  • Friday evening dinner at Hutchinson House hosted by Dr. Madden
  • Attending the dynamic Faith in Action interfaith panel on “Faith in Public Life” which brought together four guest speakers from different faith traditions for a deeply engaging, thought-provoking, and well-attended conversation
  • Lunch in the Dining Room to experience the updated dining experience provided by new dining services partner Fresh Ideas. We enjoyed conversation over lunch with the Spiritual Life team, CSO student leaders and readers, and the speakers from the Faith in Action event.
  • Attending the Careers and Graduate School Alumni Panel, hosted by the Center for Civic & Global Engagement. Alumni from the past decade shared how Principia prepared them for graduate studies and successful careers in fields ranging from law and finance to nonprofit management.

Updates and Presentations
The Board held engaging and inspiring discussions with Chief Executive Barbara Blackwell, Head of School Terry Grigsby, and Interim College President Dr. Meggan Madden, reflecting the strong spirit of collaboration and the ongoing progress taking place across the School and College.

Both Admissions teams presented in-depth presentations on enrollment trends and plans for recruiting and retaining students. The Executive Team also provided updates from Human Resources, Finance, Investment, Legal, and Advancement. 

A presentation from Marketing featured an overview of the College’s new visual identity, showcasing the new “P” logo and outlining efforts to strengthen the College’s visibility and differentiation in a competitive higher education landscape. 

The Chief Executive gave a presentation on the new three-year strategic plan and implementation tracker, including discussion of developing measurable goals and key performance indicators and the prioritization of initiatives aligned with the plan’s seven foundational goals.

Tuition, Room, and Board for 2026–2027
The Board approved the following tuition, room, and board (TRB) rates for the 2026–2027 academic year:

  • School: 4.0% increase
  • College: 0.9% decrease

The School increase is based on the goal of aligning tuition more closely with the St. Louis independent-school market. At the College, the decrease is intended to keep TRB pricing competitive in the current higher-education market and support retention and recruitment. 

Strategic College Admissions Initiatives
The Board approved additional funding and resources to strengthen strategic enrollment management and admissions initiatives proposed by College leadership. This investment will expand capacity in Admissions to reach new audiences, support long-term enrollment growth, and enhance the strategic approach to financial aid, recruitment, and retention.

These resources are key to achieving the goal of growing College enrollment while fostering a more diverse student body and improving financial aid processes. This "Move the Needle" plan includes targeted investments to accomplish several priorities:

  • Develop a robust strategic enrollment management plan
  • Strengthen data analytics and marketing to reach new students
  • Enhance and expand media campaigns
  • Increase staffing to support Admissions and Financial Aid

Gratitude 
After three days filled with meaningful discussions, insights, and connection, the Board is profoundly grateful for the remarkable progress unfolding across Principia. We deeply appreciate all you do to support and to carry forward Principia’s mission with purpose and love. As Paul writes, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28, New English Translation).