Georgetown’s Board of Directors Welcomes New Members, Approves Accelerated Nursing Program in Fall Meeting

During its annual fall meeting, Georgetown's board of directors received updates on the university's expanding Capitol Campus, approved an accelerated program for a nursing degree and welcomed new members

Georgetown's leadership team outlined progress made on key priorities, including the university's capital campaignand the Capitol Campus, Georgetown's hub for learning, interdisciplinary research and civic engagement in downtown Washington, DC.

In September, the McCourt School of Public Policy unveiled its new homeon the Capitol Campus, located next to Georgetown's Law Center. The new building features a 400-seat auditorium, 20 classrooms and a rooftop event space with a terrace and views of the U.S. Capitol.

The new space brings McCourt students, faculty, researchers and staff under one roof for the first time in the school's history. McCourt students are studying its graduate degree programsas well as a new undergraduate degree program in public policythat's offered in partnership with the College of Arts & Sciences.

In addition to the McCourt building, Georgetown is renovating a new educational facility at 111 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The multi-use building will house the School of Continuing Studies, the Earth Commons Institute, the Capitol Applied Learning Labs and programs from the McDonough School of Business, School of Health, School of Nursing and Biomedical Graduate Education. The building is anticipated to open ahead of the fall 2025 semester.

Georgetown has also recently acquired a residential building with retail space at 77 H St. NW.

The university's senior leaders also updated the board on the progress of the fall semester, sharing how they are moving forward with key strategic priorities identified by President John J. DeGioia, who is recovering from a stroke this past summer.

"Every day, we're working to ensure that the university is running smoothly and that we're advancing the important strategic projects we have underway," said Provost Robert M. Groves.

Nursing Degree and New Research Labs

The board approved a new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program for students who already have a bachelor's degree outside of nursing.

The 15-month program provides a streamlined pathway to becoming a nurse with access to the same education and faculty in the School of Nursing's traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The hybrid program offers online courses and in-person clinical simulation at Georgetown with clinical rotations at MedStar Healthand other regional facilities.

After earning their degree, students will be prepared for entry-level registered nursing positions and eligible to sit for their nursing licensing exam.

The board also approved the budget for a 16,000-square-foot-renovation of the Medical Center's Basic Science Building. Once completed, the renovated second floor will house state-of-the-art research labs, collaborative breakout space, offices and a conference room. Georgetown Medical Center leaders aim to recruit more top scientists and new research opportunities to the new research environment.

Reflecting on Georgetown's Jesuit Identity

During its fall meeting, the board of directors received an update on the Mission Priority Examen(MPE), a process for U.S. Catholic and Jesuit colleges and universities to reflect on their Catholic and Jesuit identities and values.

Georgetown began its self-study evaluating its Catholic, Jesuit identity last fall. Leaders from across the university participated in 24 listening sessions convened by members of the MPE Self Study Committee and reflected on different themes in Jesuit education.

In January of this year, the university completed a reportoutlining three priorities for Georgetown in the years ahead: expanding programs that express the university's identity and mission; continuing to invite the Georgetown community to engage in the Ignatian spiritual tradition; and developing a robust Ignatian campus culture on the Capitol Campus to strengthen its Jesuit identity and engagement with the wider DC community.

This fall, Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., the superior general of the Society of Jesus, affirmed the university's goals and its Catholic and Jesuit identity.

"The Mission Priority Examen presented us with an opportunity to reflect on how our community lives out our Catholic, Jesuit values - and how we want to do so in the years ahead," said Rev. Mark Bosco, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry. "We look forward to building on our key priorities and strengthening our Jesuit character on our campuses and in our surrounding communities."

Preparing for the 2024 Election

(From left to right) GU Politics' Mo Elleithee speaks with panelists Symone Sanders Townsend, a GU Politics Fellow this fall, and Mike Dubke, a fellow in 2017, at a board of directors dinner. Photo by Elman Studio.

During a dinner session, Mo Elleithee (SFS'94), founding executive director of the Institute of Politics and Public Service(GU Politics), shared more about the institute's work in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.

Elleithee spoke with two GU Politics Fellows, political leaders from across the aisle who host discussion groups, case studies, one-on-one conversations, and site visits across town for students during their semester on campus.

Symone Sanders Townsend, a former chief spokesperson for Vice President Harris and a fellow this semester, and Mike Dubke, former White House communications director for President Trump and a fellow in 2017, shared their thoughts on the upcoming presidential election as well as the university's role in preparing students to engage in the political process.

"We were honored to have our GU Politics Fellows share their political expertise and wisdom in the run-up to the election, and give the board a glimpse of the thoughtful civil discourse our students are invited to engage in year-round," Elleithee said.

New Board Members

The board also welcomed seven new board members, whose terms began on July 1, 2024.

The new members include:

• Traci Higgins (C'86), founder and principal of Roosevelt Drive Partners and chair of the Board of Regents
• Fitz Lufkin IV (C'11, G'12), president of the Georgetown Alumni Association and former member of the Board of Governors who is a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting
• Adam Norwitt (SFS'91), president and chief executive officer of Amphenol
• Maria Pope (C'87), president and chief executive officer of Portland General Electric and a member of the U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board
• Tracy Preston (C'88), chief legal officer and corporate secretary of Macy's
• Dr. Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana and a biochemist and immunologist
• Fr. Daniel Villanueva, S.J. (MBA'15), general coordinator of the International Federation of Fe y Alegría, who is returning to the board after serving from 2015-2021.