Aspirational Design

As Hamilton looks to the future, “aspirational design” is the process we will use to determine our vision and direction.

We are designing together, as opposed to developing a standard strategic plan. A strategic plan organizes resources around known needs and priorities. An aspirational design explores the unknown and identifies opportunities, resources, and configurations that are still to be discovered.

Between now and February 2026, we will host a series of full-day design charrettes, each bringing together 18 to 22 participants, including faculty, staff, students, college leadership, Board members, alumni and outside experts. During each charrette we will audition bold ideas; testing those ideas against each other, thinking about capacity, and considering the core strengths of the College and our unique identity and differentiation.

This process will include multiple opportunities for community input and engagement. This design work will culminate in a report and presentation to the Board of Trustees in spring 2026.