he majority of Manchester’s undergraduate and prospective students are Generation Z, born 1997-2013. Over the past few years, we have read about and studied this generation. They are an amazing group of students, sometimes compared to the Silent Generation, which came of age during World War II. This group cares about the environment, the rights of others, staying out of debt, getting through their education quickly, and they enjoy learning in and out of the classroom. Over the past few months, Manchester has spent time thinking about how to engage this group of students who have questioned the value of higher education. We asked: how can Manchester ensure that our programs meet their expectations while also preparing them for careers? We also want to help companies who desperately need employees that think critically, problem-solve, and work well in teams.

Today, Manchester’s faculty and staff are digging into their curriculum, finding ways to meet the demands of this generation’s learning style, while maintaining Manchester’s deep commitment to the liberal arts and our high-quality programs. We asked that all programs include more experiential learning, providing students with real world experiences that enhance their classroom education. The Manchester curriculum offers opportunities for students to engage with companies and organizations around the community. Students will gain credit while working, bringing the skills they learn in their organizations back to the classroom to continue to learn and reflect. Additionally, new transfer policies will recognize the hard work of students who earned college credits while in high school.

Manchester is working with local organizations in the community to employ students, offsetting the cost of their education. Manchester will work to offer more classes throughout the summers, providing students the ability to move quickly through their curriculum, while maintaining their jobs and internships. We’re also working to develop even more master’s-level coursework so students can stay at Manchester for their graduate studies.

Manchester wants to be a good neighbor and needs the community to take advantage of a university within their county. As Manchester works to repackage and rethink our curriculum, we are also committed to helping our local community. We created a position to engage with the local high school students, and faculty are developing pathways for local students to earn credit at Manchester before they leave high school, allowing them to start their programs early.

Manchester is committed to ensuring that we have programs for adult students wanting to return to school to complete the degree they previously started or reskill. We recognize that for many, this means creating online learning opportunities. A committee has been established to begin discussing next steps to welcoming more adult students to Manchester.

Be sure to tell your children, friends, and family about the great things happening at Manchester! We are adapting to future learners, while paying attention to the very things that make Manchester students future world leaders.

Stacy Hendricks ’96 Young, President