Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge, the university's 12th president, outlined her vision for "A Year of Service" as the theme of the 2024-25 academic year at her first State of the University address on Wednesday, Sept. 4 on the main quadrangle.
"This year, together we will explore what it means to serve one another, to serve students in our rapidly changing world, and to serve our community—our state, this region, and the world," Hodge told a crowd of students, faculty, librarians, staff, trustees, alumni, and community members that included President Emeritus Robert V. Antonucci and other notable graduates. "No loftier goal exists for higher education, and Fitchburg State is ready to become its next best version—a place where we celebrate our successes, live joyfully, and balance hope against the numerous pressures our world faces today."
Despite changing demographics and other factors affecting higher education, Fitchburg State has met its enrollment target for the fall semester, Hodge said, and continues to enjoy growth in its graduate, online and international programs. This year there are 39 countries - from Albania to Zimbabwe - represented on campus, she said.
Hodge described a vision of Fitchburg State becoming a formally designated Hispanic Serving Institution. "This prestigious federal designation will open new doors to national collaborations, new federal funding, and elevated opportunities for first-generation, Pell-eligible, and minoritized student populations," she said.
She also described a renewed focus on the local community, from strengthened municipal partnerships and collaborations to enrollment efforts.
"Our success is deeply intertwined with the strength of our community partnerships," Hodge said. "I want to acknowledge our collaboration with a fellow anchor institution, the Fitchburg Art Museum, a model for service to the community. Additionally, 23 our partnerships with the City of Fitchburg, our legislative allies at the state level, including Fitchburg State alum and State Representative Michael Kushmerek and Senator John Cronin, FATV, the Fitchburg Public Library, the Redevelopment Authority, the Boys and Girls Club, and many others, are vital to our mission."
We must be dogged in our determination to serve first-generation students, minoritized students, adult learners, and our highest-achieving students from this region.
Citing research showing that public university graduates tend to stay in the area after they graduate, becoming the backbones of their cities and towns, Hodge unveiled a new partnership with the Fitchburg Public Schools.
"Looking forward, our vision for growth at Fitchburg State must be ambitious," she said. "We must be dogged in our determination to serve first-generation students, minoritized students, adult learners, and our highest-achieving students from this region. This fall, we will be opening an admissions center at Fitchburg High School—an exciting first step in our mission to recruit and serve students and families right here in Fitchburg. This partnership embodies our commitment to being the university of choice for our local community."
In addition to enrollment growth, Hodge said major goals for the year ahead will be financial transparency and improving campus morale.
The event was streamed by FATV and may be viewed online.
In addition to outlining her vision for the year ahead, the event included an acknowledgement of years of service by university faculty, librarians and staff members, followed by a fall semester celebration picnic.