Looking Ahead
Colorado College’s five-year plan, Claim Our Space, charts a bold course toward academic distinction, operational sustainability, and societal impact. Anchored in four strategic priorities, the plan positions the College to emerge as a more adaptive and academically vibrant liberal arts institution with national relevance.
By 2030, Colorado College will be a stronger, more sustainable, and more nationally recognized liberal arts institution, known for an empowering liberal arts education distinguished by the Block Plan and our place in the world. Claiming our space means leaning into what sets Colorado College apart: immersive and applied learning, a highly active student body with diverse interests, multidivisional athletics, strong alumni affinity, and our distinctive location at the intersection of the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest.
To achieve this vision, we must strengthen the institution from the inside out while being intentional about how we position Colorado College in a changing higher education market.
Our goals are ambitious but achievable. They reflect our potential when we operate at full capacity, and where shared governance sets the direction while disciplined implementation and data-informed decisions carry it forward.
By 2030, we aim to:
- Reach the top 25 in national rankings
- Achieve a 90% graduation rate
- Reduce our acceptance rate to below 20%
Success requires the confidence to amplify our strengths, the discipline to make strategic choices, and the willingness to evolve where the future demands it.
“Claim Our Space will empower Colorado College to become stronger, more distinct, more connected, and more accountable to the students who choose us. Achieving that vision asks something specific of every one of us: to show up, to contribute what we know, and to hold each other to the priorities we've named together. That's the work ahead, and I'm glad to be doing it alongside this community.”
— Manya Whitaker, President
THE CASE FOR CHANGE
Why We Must Claim Our Space
Higher education is at an inflection point. Demographic shifts, changing workforce expectations, technological advances, and increasing questions about the value of a college degree are challenging institutions to demonstrate both relevance and impact. At the same time, students are seeking immersive, meaningful educational experiences that directly prepare them for success beyond graduation.
Colorado College is positioned to meet this moment—because:
We believe the future belongs to adaptable thinkers.
Emerging technologies are forcing the workplace to evolve faster than ever. Yet, the qualities of effective leaders and changemakers remain consistent: curiosity, resilience, and the capacity to navigate complexity. Colorado College seeks to develop these attributes in every student.
We believe depth matters.
In a world of constant distraction and accelerating change, students need opportunities to focus deeply and apply their learning through direct experience.
We believe place is a powerful teacher.
Our location at the intersection of the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest invites students to engage with people, communities, and environments that challenge assumptions and expand understanding.
We believe Colorado College has a unique role to play.
Claim Our Space is our commitment to strengthening the institution, expanding our impact, and demonstrating the enduring value of a Colorado College education.
One Shared Vision
What Claiming Our Space Means to Us
Watch CC’s community—from our president to our alumni—unite around one shared goal, each voicing what Claiming Our Space means to them and to the College we’re becoming.
THE FRAMEWORK
The Four Focus Areas
Institutional Strength
A strong institution is the foundation for everything else we aspire to achieve. To preserve what makes CC exceptional—from our immersive educational approach to our close-knit residential community—we must be intentional stewards of our people, and the resources and systems that support them. Through strategic investments in financial sustainability, operational effectiveness, employee wellbeing, and organizational resilience, we will ensure the College remains agile and adaptable for future generations.
Reclaiming the Liberal Arts
The world needs graduates who can think deeply, problem-solve quickly, and lead effectively across diverse perspectives. Our Block Plan has long embodied this vision, creating space for intellectual risk-taking and meaningful engagement between students, faculty, and the broader community. By advancing academic innovation and experiential learning, supporting faculty excellence, and prioritizing holistic student development, we will reaffirm the enduring value of the liberal arts while preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.
Deepening Engagement
Colorado College’s impact extends far beyond campus, from the heart of Colorado Springs to our globally connected alumni network. Through a personalized approach to alumni relations, expanded community partnerships, enhanced visibility, and a renewed investment in storytelling, we will nurture the relationships that advance the College’s mission and broaden its reach.
Excellence in Outcomes
A Colorado College education prepares students not only for their first job or graduate program, but for a lifetime of meaningful contribution. The Block Plan cultivates the adaptability, confidence, and initiative needed to navigate complex challenges, while close mentorship helps students translate their ideas into action. By expanding career-connected learning, strengthening student support systems, and building a culture of excellence in and outside the classroom, we will ensure every student is equipped to thrive long after leaving CC.
Work of the College
How We’ll Get There
Claim Our Space is an evolving roadmap supported by a shared commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration. The Work of the College provides the structures and tools that help translate institutional priorities into progress and momentum—improving how we work, advancing the College through divisional strategic planning, and investing in the future of our students and institution.
Share Your Voice
What does Claiming Our Space mean to you?
Share your thoughts, feedback, and questions about Colorado College’s strategic plan.