Strengthening Oberlin: Today and Tomorrow
Launched in 2018, One Oberlin was a bold vision designed to build upon the institution’s powerful legacy and ensure its reach and relevance for a third century and beyond. The plan focused on enhancing student learning outcomes and supporting academic and artistic excellence, while providing a roadmap to financial resiliency.
One Oberlin Oversight and Advisory Committee 2024
With the financial runway created by One Oberlin, we now have the chance to be ambitious about what this institution will become in its third century, adding to our historic core strengths with new programs and structures that build on our academic and artistic leadership.
Accomplishments
As One Oberlin comes to a close, we celebrate its many accomplishments:
Record Admissions Trends
Applications to Oberlin College and Conservatory have increased by nearly 52 percent, improving our selectivity rate and increasing the size of our newest class by 11 percent. High school GPAs and student academic ratings continue to rise.
Enhanced Curricular Offerings
Oberlin has introduced 11 integrative concentrations and five interdivisional minors that invite students to explore interests across multiple disciplines. These new opportunities include business, data science, global health, and arts administration and leadership. In the conservatory, we’ve redesigned the curriculum to support DEI work and added a minor in African American music.
Improvements to Infrastructure
Oberlin’s $175 million Sustainable Infrastructure Program, through which we are converting our century-old fossil-fuel-based heating system to eco-friendly geothermal technology, moves campus toward our goal of carbon neutrality by 2025. We’ve also redesigned and expanded academic and co-curricular spaces, most notably our new Center for Engaged Liberal Arts. CELA connects nine experiential learning areas—such as Career Development, Entrepreneurship, and Undergraduate Research—into an innovative central hub in Mudd Center. We also broke ground on a new residence hall for 400 students, scheduled to open in fall 2025.
Cultivating Change
Oberlin was awarded a $1 million grant by the Mellon Foundation to help launch a food studies program in collaboration with Lorain County Community College. Another new initiative is the Oberlin Screenwriters Intensive, which invites aspiring Oberlin screenwriters to learn from seasoned Hollywood creatives. Oberlin was again recognized as a top producer of Fulbright students—for the 14th consecutive year—and we’re about to launch a Center for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Investing in Experiential Learning
Oberlin’s new our Internship+ program guarantees each new student up to $5,000 to support internships and performance-based experiences in the summer after their junior year. We’ve expanded on-campus Winter Term opportunities; more than 900 students take part in individual or group projects in Oberlin, backdropped by winter-themed social events, performances, and local trips.
Financial Resiliency
Tuition revenue at Oberlin has increased, and we’ve secured $17.3 million in annual savings. Oberlin’s endowment has grown to more than $1 billion, thanks to a lower payout rate and growth, and we award more than $87 million in financial aid and scholarships each year.
Strong Alumni Support
Over the last four years, Oberlin has raised more than $160 million from a strong community of donors. All in for Oberlin, our annual day-of-giving campaign, has raised $1 million over each of the last three years, and a $1.6 million gift to the conservatory supports an endowed fellowship in jazz history.
Related News
OSCA Statement
After more than 18 months of negotiations, the College and OSCA, an independent nonprofit organization, agreed to an innovative 5-year lease.
Oberlin to Launch Integrative Concentration in Global Health
Oberlin College will prepare the next generation of global health professionals for influential careers and leadership.
Oberlin Gives Students in the Arts and Sciences a New Path to Musical Education
New music minor draws upon extensive conservatory resources and campus-wide passion for music.
Oberlin to Launch Liberal Arts-Centered Integrative Concentration in Business
Oberlin College is poised to prepare visionary and creative leaders in the business, arts, and non-profit worlds.
Webinar: One Oberlin FAQ
President Ambar and Deans Kamitsuka and Quillen discuss questions posed during their stops across the country on the One Oberlin Tour.
Oberlin to Launch Integrative Concentration in Journalism
Rare approach builds upon the college’s long history of preparing some of the world’s leading journalists.
College and Conservatory Establish Five New Collaborative Programs
Distinctive courses of study draw upon interdisciplinary resources, chart paths toward 21st century careers.
One Oberlin Update
President Ambar updates the community on progress in implementing One Oberlin.
Updates to Winter Term 2020 Build a Robust On-Campus Experience
New group projects and student support services enhance the on-campus experience.
Q&A with Dana Hamdan
As executive director of the Career Development Center, Hamdan managed the ongoing advancement and implementation of programming and outreach initiatives for students.