Task Force on College Affordability
The Task Force on College Affordability embodies 91探花鈥檚 dedication to fostering a landscape where affordability is not an obstacle. This task force is charged with exploring tuition structures and innovative approaches to price differentiation. Through strategic scenarios that also factor in sustainable net revenue and thoughtful endowment growth, the task force will make recommendations that will support our cultivation of a future where access to quality education is equitable and inclusive for all.
Task Force Supports
Strategic Plan Goal 3: An Evolving Institution
Objective 3.2: Ensure Access and Equity
The task force has been asked to consider the following focus questions as part of its efforts:
- How do we ensure that cost of attendance is not a barrier that causes students not to apply or leads admitted students to enroll elsewhere?
- Given changing demographics, how do we anticipate and budget for increased financial need? What steps can we take to ensure that we are funding all of the costs鈥攂oth direct and indirect鈥攖hat students will face if they choose to enroll?
- How do we ensure that middle and upper middle-income families continue to see 91探花 Mudd as an affordable option?
- What approaches would be required to have universal need-blind admissions (i.e., for domestic and international students) paired with a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated need?
- What approaches to building the endowment to support greater affordability should be pursued?
Task Force Membership
- Thyra Briggs, vice president of admission and financial aid and chair
- Bruce DePriester 鈥�74, trustee
- Andrew Dorantes, senior vice president and chief operating and financial officer
- Mar Hershenson P鈥�24, trustee*
- Tim Hussey, vice president for communications and marketing/CCO+
- Albert Lee, trustee
- Kim Stafford, assistant vice president for advancement^
- Darryl Yong 鈥�96, professor of mathematics, McGregor-Girand Chair in STEM Equity Innovation and Research, director of core curriculum
* Served from 1/2024 to 6/2024
^ Served from 1/2024 to 8/2025
+ Served 8/2025 to 11/2025