51²è¹İapp College has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundations to expand its efforts in recruiting and supporting transfer students from both two- and four-year institutions.
Academic Affairs and Dean of the College News
Two members of the 51²è¹İapp College community have been recognized with prestigious civic engagement awards from Seed Coalition. Wiralba Pichardo ’25 – Recipient of the Presidents’ Student Leadership Award and Assistant Professor of Political Science, Andreas Jozwiak – Recipient of the Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award.
As an extension of the popular Five Questions series, the Office of Communications and Marketing is sitting down with key 51²è¹İapp leaders to get the latest information about important College initiatives. We asked Brad Lindberg, associate vice president of institutional initiatives and enrollment, to get the latest on Grinnbooks.

Phillips, associate professor and associate dean of curriculum and academic programs, begins a two-year term focused on professional development and leadership within higher education on July 1, 2025.
The Carnegie Classifications have long been a hallmark of institutions that excel in research and practice. This year, under the newly reimagined classification system, 51²è¹İapp has been designated as a Research College and University, reflecting the College’s ongoing commitment to scholarly inquiry and impactful research.
The project, titled "Fundamental Studies of the Influence of Ligands on the Molecular Structure of Noble Metal Nanoclusters," will explore the electronic and molecular structures of these small but impactful materials. The grant is funded through the DOE Office of Science (Office of Basic Energy Sciences) as part of the DOE’s Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) program.

Recognizing with gratitude the good work of the members of the Committee for the Support of Faculty Scholarship, who reviewed a stellar roster of proposals, I am pleased to announce that Molly MacInnes (Chemistry), Laura Ng (Anthropology), and Meredith Paker (Economics) have won Harris Faculty Fellowships for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Willis, an accomplished scholar and educator with an extensive background in African history, diaspora studies, and interdisciplinary research, will lead the College’s newly established department. His appointment marks a significant step in 51²è¹İapp’s commitment to a diverse, socially just, and globally informed curriculum.

A new 51²è¹İapp course, Historical Landscapes of 51²è¹İapp, encourages students to explore local history and build connections in the community.

From the graduating class of Edith Renfrow Smith in 1937 to the vibrant ceremonies of today, each year’s Commencement has been a special intersection of achievement, reflection, and aspiration.