Fresh, Relevant, Innovative: 
The College Moves Boldly Ahead

SINCE ITS FOUNDING MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, Principia College has been unique among institutions of higher education. Existing to serve the Cause of Christian Science through the appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution, the College has joyfully prepared thousands of young people to make their mark on the world and live purposeful, meaningful lives. Principia College has always had an outsized impact, turning out leaders, thinkers, and doers—men and women of character dedicated to leavening thought and bettering humanity.  

In the past year, the College has, once again, begun forging a new path in higher education. College leaders and educators have joined together to engage in a bold reimagination of the academic curriculum to meet the evolving needs of today’s students and continue to set Principia apart from its peers. Today’s students set a high bar for higher education, demanding that colleges prepare them to be future-ready, provide enriching connections of all types, and create a true sense of belonging and purpose within a community. Fortunately, Principia is more than up to the task.

This innovative, forward-focused shift in the College curriculum will launch in the Fall of 2025, with five new Academic Centers that create a more distinctive academic identity for Principia. It also enables students to be members of integrated, collaborative learning communities as faculty in each Center create rich, cross-disciplinary opportunities. Working together, faculty have leaned into the mandate of Principia’s strategic plan—Thrive! 2025— to assess, improve, and deliberately integrate the curriculum to provide the crossdisciplinary learning experiences that are imperative for turning out inspired, highly skilled graduates.

"this updated, future-oriented program will help the College attract more students, promote greater collaboration among faculty, and offer students an improved classroom experience that equips them to become the creative problem solvers the world needs."
– Dr. Daniel Norton

Academic majors will be organized within the five distinct Academic Centers, allowing for maximum integration and impact. All majors will be updated and enhanced to be cross-disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and even more relevant. And a few new academic programs—artificial intelligence (AI) and data science and ecosystem management—will be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission for approval and accreditation.  

Dean of Academics, Dr. Meggan Madden (C’93), gives an example highlighting the practical power of integrated academics: “I can see graduates from the Center for Narrative, Meaning, and Media developing skills that will allow them to contribute to the Cause of Christian Science in meaningful ways such as working for The Christian Science Monitor or the Mary Baker Eddy Library, writing for the periodicals, being conversant with ecumenical dialogue, and engaging in interfaith opportunities in their communities.” Each of the Centers will offer a similar model that creates new synergy between areas of study. 

What’s more, each Center will establish a shared identity based on common interests and experiences. Heightened levels of interaction between students and faculty will generate a deep sense of community and belonging. All that leads to highly engaged students—motivated to complete their degrees, make an impact, and contribute to their respective fields and communities.  

Looking forward, College President Dr. Daniel Norton is inspired and confident about how this “updated, future-oriented program will help the College attract more students, promote greater collaboration among faculty, and offer students an improved classroom experience that equips them to become the creative problem solvers the world needs.” At Principia, it’s not hard to imagine.