faculty and students have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity.”
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
This past year has been one of remarkable achievement, growth and connection. Our faculty and students have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity. Their work not only elevates our institution’s reputation but also enriches the educational experience for our students, preparing them to be leaders in their fields.
We continue to prioritize partnerships with industry, allowing our students to gain invaluable hands-on experience and insights that bridge academic learning with real-world applications. These collaborations ensure that our graduates are equipped with skills and connections vital in today’s dynamic workforce.
Equally important, our university has strengthened its role as a community leader, creating a welcoming space for civic engagement and deepening our ties with local organizations through sustainability efforts, signature campus events and the university’s Community Engagement Committee. These efforts reflect our commitment to being a vibrant hub where learning, innovation and community intersect.
We are strong because of supporters like you who place your trust in our students and the educational experience. We hold that trust seriously and are committed to ensuring that we deliver on our promise.
Thank you for your continued support, which has been integral to our progress and our future success.
John E. Taylor Jr. ’18 Hon. Chair of the Johnson & Wales University Board of Trustees
“This report captures the innovation, community commitment and industry collaborations that have propelled us forward, making this institution not only a center of knowledge but also a catalyst for meaningful impact.”
MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
As we reflect on the past academic year, it is a great pleasure to share the highlights and achievements that have defined our university’s journey toward excellence. This report captures the innovation, community commitment and industry collaborations that have propelled us forward, making this institution not only a center of knowledge but also a catalyst for meaningful impact.
This year, we celebrated significant advancements in academic program development and scholarship. Our colleges and faculty have been hard at work on the creation and accreditation of new and exciting programming like the university’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. These contributions not only expand our offerings in the thriving health and wellness space but inspire our faculty and students to engage in academic and industry collaborations, reinforcing our commitment to interdisciplinary and interprofessional education.
Our dedication to community engagement has remained steadfast. This year, we saw the expansion of outreach programs, partnerships with local organizations and student-led initiatives that are transforming lives. Through various collaborations, our students and faculty have worked together with community members to address local and global challenges, from food insecurity to environmental sustainability. These endeavors underscore our belief in the university’s role as a force for positive change, empowering our students to become conscientious leaders who understand the value of service.
Additionally, the relationships we continue to build with industry partners have been invaluable. Our collaborations with leaders in business, culinary, hospitality, healthcare and other sectors have created pathways for innovation, bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. This past year, our partnerships resulted in numerous internships, research opportunities and career pathways for our students, equipping them with hands-on experience and essential skills for future success.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to building upon these achievements, fostering an inclusive, dynamic environment that empowers every member of our community. With gratitude for the unwavering support of our faculty, staff, alumni and partners, I am excited to continue this journey with all of you as we work toward new horizons in academic excellence, community impact and industry leadership.
Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission.
With Wildcat pride,
Chancellor
At Johnson & Wales, we are redefining the way education takes shape.
In this year’s annual report, we explore the theme “Spaces & Places; Learning Unbound,” highlighting how our university embraces experiential educational opportunities that challenge traditional boundaries. By creating diverse, engaging learning environments — both physical and virtual — we empower our students to engage with the world in new and unexpected ways,
expanding the possibilities of what learning can be. From outdoor labs and collaborative workspaces to global digital communities and community-driven projects, we invite you to discover how our students engage with the world in dynamic, unexpected ways — transforming their education and reshaping the future of learning itself.
This is a Classroom
During 2023–24, the university provided a host of opportunities for students to apply their classroom learning to their future professional field by connecting with professionals in industry, testing their skills in practice, engaging in events and initiatives, and expanding their world view.
A Place to Make Connections
Students at JWU interacted with industry professionals through conferences, visits and mentoring programs. Here are some highlights:
• In its first full year of operation, the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation connected JWU students, alumni, faculty and administrators to industry professionals and wholesale and retail business partners. More than 40 students were funded by industry partners for internships, work experiences, competitions, scholarship awards, and attendance at the National Restaurant Association Show and the Bar & Restaurant Expo.
• The newly relaunched Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship supported students from across the university as they worked collaboratively to transform ideas into business enterprises through mentoring, prototyping and design assistance. In 2024, the center received a record number of applications to Sharkfest, its marquee annual competition where students pitch their business ideas to a panel of industry professionals. Sofia Zenteno ’24, a Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship major, won
first place at the 2024 Providence Campus Sharkfest for her nonprofit Germina, which aims to teach children in Mexico City about food sustainability through urban engineering.
• JWU student teams spent a semester developing business or product ideas into full-fledged concepts for the Future Food All-Stars Challenge, co-hosted by the Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship and the College of Food Innovation & Technology. For the 2023–2024 competition, restauranteur and chef David Burke ’23 Hon., served as entrepreneur-in-residence. Island Girl Ginger Beer won the grand prize.
• Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management students, led by Associate Professor Elizabeth Panciera, researched, designed, planned, coordinated and evaluated the annual SEEM Leadership Conference, a studentrun event that captures the spirit of JWU’s experiential-based educational mission. This one-day conference hosts distinguished panel discussions, networking functions and multiple keynote addresses from influential industry professionals.
• An Employer-in-Residence (EIR) program implemented by Experiential Education & Career Services in Providence brought
employers with interdisciplinary opportunities for JWU students to campus for a daylong program of class visits, recruitment activities and a “meet & greet” style event where students practiced their networking skills. Last year’s EIR employers included Marriott, Compass, Brown University Health and Wegmans. Based on the program’s success, the Charlotte EE&CS team plans to implement a similar program.
• JWU’s 2023 Visiting Industry Professional speaker was John Hazen White Jr., one of the most prominent business leaders in Rhode Island. White is the executive chairman and owner of Taco Group Holdings Inc., a $500 million industry leading heating and cooling equipment manufacturer.
A Place to Practice Skills
By actively working on projects with industry partners, JWU students took their learning out into the world and discovered what it takes to succeed. Here are some highlights:
• Under the leadership of Professor Evan Villari, a group of Providence students from majors in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Hospitality Management
worked on an interdisciplinary project to research, conceptualize and produce media deliverables as part of the 20th-anniversary milestone of FirstWorks, a Providence-based public arts organization.
• Villari and Associate Professor Karyn Jiminez worked with an interdisciplinary team of students to provide The Avenue Concept (TAC), an arts organization in Providence, with creative design solutions for web, social, print, photo, video and audio materials and to identify new opportunities for expanding existing TAC programs in wayfinding, tours, mural and public art initiatives.
• Jiminez also led a team of Graphic Design students in developing in-depth creative design solutions for Potter League for Animals and other nonprofit clients. As part of the course, the student groups conceptualized, designed and installed an exhibit in the Bowen Gallery during the REVEAL Senior Showcase that will remain on display throughout the 2024–25 academic year.
• Under the leadership of Jonathan Harris, associate professor, students from three majors worked on the housing and UX/UI design of a countertop medical diagnostic device for Applied Genomics, a subsidiary of PerkinElmer. They were given the task to design and prototype a product housing and design and prototype the user interface.
• Ruben Morawicki, associate professor, worked with students on a project with Hope & Main, a Warren, Rhode Island-based nonprofit
food business incubator, where they were trained as Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQIs) using a Food and Drug Administration-approved curriculum and then matched with a small company to develop (with faculty guidance) complete food safety plans for a product.
A Place to Share Insights
Students honed their research skills and shared the results of their scholarship with their peers. Here are some highlights:
• The second annual Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium (SRDIS), held concurrently at the Providence and Charlotte campuses, showcased high quality student work from across all six JWU colleges. Projects presented at the 2024 SRDIS explored a broad range of topics including sustainable tourism, nutrition for college athletes, mobility devices for children with cerebral palsy and a marketing plan for a local crab house.
• The Center for Student Research & Interdisciplinary Collaboration (CSRIC) continued facilitating high impact research experiences for undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty. Support from the CSRIC resulted in student presentations at local and national conferences, publication of articles in peerreviewed journals and student-led researchbased discussions, called Health Equity
Reflections and Refreshments. Undergraduate students also had the unique opportunity to engage in an NIH-funded study.
A Place Where Faculty Excel
During 2023–24, internally and externally supported projects and programs promoted faculty excellence and increased academic support and student services for our students. Some highlights include:
• The provost launched a Teaching Innovation Mini Grants initiative to broaden and enrich the student experience at JWU through summer “micro-grants” focused on priorities including universal design for learning (UDL), experiential and applied learning, DEIB-informed curriculum and innovative pedagogical approaches. One notable project focused on chicken husbandry, reproduction, and food innovation established interdisciplinary student learning communities between the College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) and Animal Science. Another retooled a global media class to include audiovisual case studies related to the Chinese influence on Hollywood, group roleplay on cultural imperialism and cultural globalization in Europe, and inclusive equitybased discussions on the digital divide in Africa.
• The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) awarded JWU an Open Education Course Marking Grant (OECG) to mark courses in the student registration with Zero
Textbook Cost (ZTC) in an effort to help students save money on course materials. The funding was used to offer mini grants to faculty to adopt, adapt or create Open Educational Resources (OER) in their courses. The ZTC marking has improved student access to essential course materials and also sparked meaningful conversations among faculty about the role of OER in higher education.
• Under the leadership of Dean Jason Evans, faculty members in the College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) are collaborating with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to implement a Team Nutrition Grant program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The program aims to help schools improve nutrition in their meal programs while teaching students about food preparation. In 2023–2024, JWU faculty collaborated with RIDE professionals to host a hands-on educational workshop at JWU for school food professionals focused on translating student-submitted STC recipes and ideas into implementable school lunch and breakfast items for school districts in Rhode Island.
• Nicole Urban, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, received funding from the National Institutes of Health to support a program that brings Biology, Product Design, and Computer Science students together with students from Biomedical, Robotics, and
SPECIALIZED ACCREDITATION
In support of the PURPOSE 2024 strategic plan’s goal to validate the stature of the university’s academic offerings through specialized accreditation, several JWU programs have made significant progress in the pursuit of specialized accreditation across the institution.
Highlights during the 2023–24 academic year included:
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) sent an accreditation review committee to perform their on-site accreditation visit in September 2024. A decision is expected in Spring 2025.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
• The DPT program submitted an application for candidacy through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). A candidacy site visit occurred in July 2024 and the decision regarding our candidacy for accreditation is expected in November 2024.
Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics
• The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) granted full accreditation status in October 2023.
Electronics Engineering programs to develop novel assistive and therapeutic devices. Urban has also developed a suite of professional development modules including project management, technical communication, scientific literacy and intellectual property training.
• Twelve members of faculty and staff were selected as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) fellows, completing an eight-month long comprehensive program on the incorporation of UDL in the classroom. UDL is an academic initiative that offers more inclusive classrooms by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and action and expression.
• In response to the rapid popularity in generative artificial intelligence (GAI), the Center for Teaching & Learning has mobilized the GAI Taskforce, which played a significant role in educating members of the JWU community about the responsible use of GAI tools in a university setting. Notable workshops included Into the AI Age: A StudentCentered Approach to Artificial Intelligence and Engineer Your Curiosity: Crafting Effective AI Prompts for the Classroom.
A Place That Serves the Wider World
JWU continues to actively engage with the broader community, applying skills and expertise to critical issues. Here are some examples:
• In 2023–24, the College of Engineering & Design initiated essential software and hardware upgrades to the Cybersecurity Lab, funded by an award from the U.S. Senate’s Congressionally Directed Spending program. This three-year project aims to enhance cybersecurity training for teachers and law enforcement agencies, addressing the growing national need for cybersecurity expertise. With its recognized excellence in cybersecurity education, designation as an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, dedication to utilizing cuttingedge equipment and strong partnerships with industry and community organizations, the lab is well-positioned for this important endeavor, which launched in October 2024 with the first rounds of police training.
• The Ecolab Center for Culinary Science works to ensure that Rhode Island’s food industry thrives with the knowledge and tools needed for food safety. During the 2023–24 academic year, the center provided product development and food safety/regulatory services for more than 140 food products from 30 companies. The center also served entrepreneurs with nutrition panel development, product analysis and food safety consultation.
• Sara Namazi, Ph.D., assistant professor in the MPH program, serves as co-investigator on a study, funded by the Connecticut General Assembly, to assist in helping the Connecticut Department of Corrections (DOC) understand correctional staff health and safety training needs, including those related to mental health and endof-work career planning and retirement. Over the past year, Namazi helped design and is currently working on implementing various interventions related to correctional employee peer support, decompression and resources spaces in the work environment, and addressing indoor environmental health challenges around air quality.
• Jonathan Noel, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the MPH program, is serving as co-investigator on two studies, conducted by the City University of New York and funded by the National Institutes of Health, on the role of alcohol consumption, availability and marketing on community health outcomes. While data collection is ongoing, preliminary findings have been presented at the Alcohol Policy 20 conference and at the 2024 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Conference.
“My professors have done a great job of preparing me for an internship and future career. They know me as a person, so they’ve made that transition very easy for me. Overall, JWU has helped me improve my communication skills. I’m sharpening my tools and getting prepared for the real world.”
— Jaylen Benson ’25, Hospitality Management
This is a Community
JWU AT A GLANCE
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina.
An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. JWU’s unique model provides students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 128 countries pursuing careers worldwide.
Undergraduate Tuition
$39,792
(2023–24)
This year, we had 8,040 STUDENTS
Career Outcomes Rate of For Class of 2022 96.5% of On-Campus Students Receive Financial Aid 98.7% from 58 countries
JWU is committed to making a quality education as accessible and affordable as possible. The university has taken proactive steps to manage student debt by increasing institutional aid over the past several years. Approximately 98.7% of all JWU on-campus students receive institutional scholarships
1,260
Interns at 793 sites in 44 states
Providence, Rhode Island
U.S. News & World Report placed JWU Providence 17th as a Most Innovative School, 36th as a Best Value School, and 69th overall in the Regional University North category.
Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S. News & World Report placed JWU Charlotte 13th as a Best Value School, 5th as a Best College for Veterans and 24th overall in the Regional Colleges South category.
College of Professional Studies
U.S. News & World Report placed JWU’s College of Professional Studies 33rd as a Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Program, 44th as a Best Online
Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs and 114th as a Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Program.
Money.com gave the College of Professional Studies a 4-star ranking (5-star scale).
Degrees offered (2023–24)
JWU Serves
University staff and faculty demonstrated their commitment to community engagement through participation in Johnson & Wales’ annual JWU Serves events during the fall and spring. These efforts included neighborhood and park cleanups, care package assembly, and other service initiatives, reflecting a shared dedication to fostering positive and lasting impacts within our local communities.
2023–24 Academic Year
Community Sites
Enrollment by Campus and College (Fall 2023)
* Enrollment is defined as the total number of degree/certificate-seeking students.
This is Commitment
“THIS SCHOLARSHIP HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT to help fund and finish my education strongly. My mother works hard to pay part of my tuition, and this scholarship takes some of the burden off her shoulders.
Thank you very much for this opportunity.”
— Deanna Griffith ’24
$2,561,320
Total donated dollars awarded (universitywide; includes donated scholarship, endowed scholarship and emergency funds)
Scholarship and Emergency Funds Awarded
800
Students Benefitted From These Awards
Average Award $3,201
AREAS OF IMPACT
From scholarships to athletics, student organizations or any of JWU’s six colleges, charitable donations are put to work universitywide. The choice is yours and every gift matters. When we all give, the impact adds up.
JWU Fund
Gifts to the JWU Fund go to work where they’re needed most. They are unrestricted and allow us to say “yes” to upgrades, enhancements, new ideas and urgent needs on the Providence and Charlotte campuses.
Student Experience
You can direct your support to an area that is uniquely JWU and ensure all students have access to these opportunities. Internships, student organizations, clubs and campus programming all contribute to an industry-focused education that prepares the leaders of tomorrow.
Athletics
JWU Athletics unites our campus communities and our varsity and club teams to compete with the same passion our students bring to their academic pursuits. Gifts to Athletics support team travel, uniforms, equipment and upkeep of facilities.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Awards ranged from $39 to
More than 98% of on-campus JWU students receive a scholarship or financial aid of some kind. Whether you establish an endowed scholarship or combine your gift with others in our general scholarship fund, your generosity opens doors and a new world of opportunities.
Academics
Each of Johnson & Wales’ six colleges relies on the support of alumni, corporate sponsors and donors who believe in our mission and our students. Whether in the classroom or in labs, your gift will be used to meet the specific needs of the college or program of your choice.
ONE DAY, ONE GOAL
JWU’s Annual Day of Giving 2024
Johnson & Wales University’s fifth annual day of giving took place on March 12, 2024. During oneJWU: 24 Hours of Giving, alumni joined with parents, faculty, staff and friends to support JWU’s students by making a gift to the area of their choice. oneJWU is all about participation and the power of the JWU community.
Giving Societies
The generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students and friends of the university is what sustains us year after year. Support from the entire JWU community will help power a bold new era of academic excellence and achievement. To recognize our supporters for their generosity, we’ve established a family of giving societies.
Forever JWU Giving Society
Johnson & Wales University proudly recognizes our donors’ charitable giving, which supports our students on the path to fulfilling their academic potential, professional ambitions and personal aspirations. Each circle consists of individual and corporate donors who believe in the university’s mission of providing a transformative experience inspiring professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth.
1914 Society
The 1914 Society honors the many alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends who have included the university in their estate plans, whether through a will, trust, life insurance policy or retirement plan.
Mary & Gertrude Society
The Mary & Gertrude Society was established in the names of our founders, Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales. We are proud to honor them by recognizing our 640 loyal donors who have supported the university for three or more consecutive years.
Epicurean Scholarship Society
Membership donations and annual contributions to the Epicurean Scholarship Society provide scholarship support that helps to fulfill the aspirations of talented students. Society events — led by guest chefs assisted by JWU students and faculty — include culinary demonstrations, receptions, seated dinners and cocktail gatherings.
“JWU
is an incredible resource for both students and alumni. Students have a lot of opportunities to meet and network with industry professionals right in their classrooms, and this allows them to take control of their career path.
— Allison Pangakis ’08
844
Total Gifts
31% of donors were first-time donors to JWU
raised (includes
$68,495 Average Gift Size
$81.15
35of50 Donations were received from states
This is Vision
“THE FOUNDATION OF OUR STRENGTH as an institution are the people who contribute to our JWU community. Students are at the center. Employees power our legacy. Alumni and donors embody our future. Industry partners and community members connect us to the world.”
— Mim L. Runey, LP.D. Chancellor
2023–24 Board of Trustees
James H. Hance Jr., chair of the board of trustees, Johnson & Wales University; operating executive and director, The Carlyle Group
Mim L. Runey, LP.D., chancellor, Johnson & Wales University
Maribeth N. Bisienere, senior vice president, operations; Walt Disney World® Resort
Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, president, The Miriam Hospital
Lorena M. Garcia ’00, president and chief executive officer, Lorena Garcia Group
Lionel E. LaRochelle II, principal, Spring Valley Hospitality Advisors LLC
M. Teresa Paiva Weed, J.D., president, Hospital Association of Rhode Island
Robert J. Palleschi ’86, chief executive officer, American Campus Communities
Philip S. Renaud II ’73, president, Blue Sky Risk Management
Merrill W. Sherman, J.D., principal, Sherman Consulting LLC
Clay A. Snyder ’93, vice chair of the board of trustees, Johnson & Wales University; senior director of business development, Hilton Supply Management
Shivan S. Subramaniam, retired chairman and chief executive officer, FM Global
John E. Taylor Jr., managing director, Faulkner & Howe LLC
D. Chip Wade ’83, chief executive officer, Union Square Hospitality Group
John Hazen White Jr., executive chairman, Taco Group Holdings Inc.
David A. Wilson, Ph.D., P’98, former independent director, Barnes & Noble Education and CoreSite Realty Inc.
Officers of the Corporation
Mim L. Runey, LP.D., chancellor
Joseph J. Greene Jr., CPA, ’89, ’98 M.S., vice chancellor of finance & administration
Emily A. Gilcreast ’19 MBA, university secretary
Danielle Santamaria, CPA, ’13 MBA, vice president of finance
JWU Leadership
Mim L. Runey, LP.D., chancellor
Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., ’92, president, Providence Campus
Diane D’Ambra, M.S., SPHR, SHRMSCP, vice president of human resources
Joseph J. Greene Jr. ’89, ’98 M.S., CPA, vice chancellor of finance & administration
Richard G. Mathieu, Ph.D., president, Charlotte Campus
Michelle Mattox, M.P.A., vice president of advancement & alumni relations
Matthew Montgomery, M.A., vice president of marketing and communications
Danielle Santamaria ’13 MBA, CPA, vice president of finance
Luba Shur, J.D., vice president and general counsel
David A. Souza Jr., B.S., vice president of information technology
Melanie V. Tucker, Ed.D., NCC, LMHC, vice president of student affairs
Meredith Twombly, M.S., vice president of enrollment management
Richard Wiscott, Ph.D., provost
Jason W. Witham, M.A., vice president of real estate and facilities planning
Academic
Leadership
Michael Fein, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Mary J. Meixell, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business
Francis X. Tweedie, Ed.D., dean of the College of Engineering & Design
Jason R. Evans, Ph.D., dean of the College of Food Innovation & Technology
Maura Iversen, DPT, SD, MPH, dean of the College of Health & Wellness
Jennifer Adams Galipeau, Ed.D., dean of the College of Hospitality Management
David R. Cartwright, Ed.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies
As of October 2024
Financial Report
As of June 30, 2024, the university’s cash and investments totaled $383 million, reflecting a decrease of approximately $14.7 million compared to June 30, 2023. The university’s debt balance continued to decrease, ending the fiscal year at $37 million.
“It’s been nice to have a supportive environment here that pushes you toward your dreams, even when they sound unrealistic or hard to reach.”
— Alijah Jamison ’24, Business Administration
Johnson & Wales University
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
June 30, 2023 and 2024
2023 Financial Distribution
Total Net Assets: $714,623 Total Liabilities & Net Assets: $800,637
2024 Financial Distribution
Total Net Assets: $695,615
THANK YOU! The unique JWU experience is what has guided our university for the past 110 years, and will continue to guide us as we move boldly into the future. Tuition alone does not fully cover all that JWU offers plus the general operating costs to run a comprehensive university. It is your support that makes the difference and will give rise to a
new era of innovation and ambitious academic advancements.
