O’Shea: New College is preparing to grow

New College of Florida prepares intellectually curious students for lives of great achievement, a mission on which it delivers spectacularly. Last November, system governors approved our strategic plan to grow by 50 percent by 2023-24. All understand the challenge of doing so without compromising the college’s vaunted academic excellence.
In an age of horrific admissions scandals, our trustees, faculty and staff care deeply about the admissions process. Yes, 22 fewer students enrolled last August than anticipated. But we have an excellent plan, and a superb admissions team. Inquiries are up significantly, but we will not accept a student who cannot succeed. It is not fair to the student or to the state.
Our plan involves more comprehensive recruiting, more high-profile prestigious scholarships, and a more robust online presence.
To improve retention, we are introducing a First Year Seminar, enhancing advising, helping students secure internships, jobs, and graduate school placements, and expanding co-curricular activities including intramural sports and theater and music performances.
We continue to hire professors, including seven who will join us this fall.
We are especially grateful to this wonderful community, which has been so supportive of us. We are on this, but we very much welcome input.

Donal O’Shea is the president of New College of Florida.