Fast Facts OFFI CE
O F
ADVANCE ME NT
The liberal arts education that we offer has never been more exciting, never been more challenging, never more necessary. Skidmore’s founder, Lucy Skidmore Scribner, aspired to provide a liberating education — an education that joined together the mind and the hand to help her students change their own lives, so they could then go out and change the world. I want today’s Skidmore students to be prepared to take on the world with the resilience and grit to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and still go on to make that world a better place, because that ultimately is the highest aspiration of our mission.
— Marc C. Conner, President
LEADERSHIP
Marc C. Conner An innovative leader of interdisciplinary academic programs, a longtime advocate of diversity and inclusion initiatives, and a widely-published professor of English, President Conner joined Skidmore College following more than 24 years at Washington and Lee University. There, he co-founded the university’s African American studies program, established the Office of Community-Based Learning and its Center for Academic Resources and Pedagogical Excellence, created interdisciplinary programs in data science and law, and steered the university’s faculty recruitment, hiring, and retention diversity initiatives. At Skidmore, Conner launched the Racial Justice Initiative on his first day as the College’s eighth president, as a means to seek to address the realities of racial injustice locally, nationally, and globally. He is currently leading a highly collaborative Campus Master Planning process involving the entire Skidmore Community.
To learn more about President Conner and his contributions to Skidmore College, visit: www.skidmore.edu/president
F A C U LT Y
Skidmore’s faculty is committed to working collaboratively with students. Participation in Faculty-Student Summer Research Programs surged from seven students in 2005 to 87 in 2021. Thirty-four faculty members from 14 different disciplines worked with students over the summer to conduct original research on wide-ranging subjects, including regenerative agriculture, women in politics, HIV, evolution of land plants, cardiovascular disease in fire service, evaluating outcomes of poverty reduction initiatives, and much more. Many teams present their findings in regional and national scholarly conferences, such as the New York Six Undergraduate Research Conference, as well as in academic journals. These research experiences give students an edge when applying for competitive graduate programs and job placements.
287
FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS
87%
HOLD THE HIGHEST DEGREE IN THEIR FIELDS
55 : 45 FEMALE TO MALE RATIO
Among others, Skidmore faculty have received grants from: Administration for Children and Families
Faculty also engage in grant-funded collaborative research with U.S. institutions, including: Auburn University
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Cornell University
Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation
Kent State University
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Ohio State University
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
University of California at San Diego
Syracuse University
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
University of Hawaii
National Endowment for the Arts
University of Iowa
National Endowment for the Humanities
University of Michigan
National Institutes of Health
University of Notre Dame
National Science Foundation
and more.
University of Northern Colorado
Nature Conservancy
23%
ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR OR INTERNATIONAL
New York State Council on the Arts Skidmore professors have also won major prizes such as the MacArthur, Guggenheim, Peabody, Pulitzer, and Emmy awards.
CURRICULUM
Close student-faculty interaction is ensured with an average class size of 16 and a student-faculty ratio of 8 to 1. In the 2020-21 academic year, 1,692 courses were offered (excluding independent studies). Skidmore offers nearly 50 majors ranging from international affairs to environmental studies and neuroscience. The top majors for the Class of 2021 were management and business, psychology, English, political science, anthropology, and history. The top minors were media and film studies, world languages and literature, management and business, art, and education studies.
The John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCS) embeds documentary within Skidmore’s core curriculum and culture, profoundly enhancing the College’s overall capacities for creative public engagement, social impact, and integrative learning. It offers a variety of theory and skill-based courses spanning many documentary mediums (film, audio, archive, exhibit, photography, writing, virtual reality, mapping, web design), provides an enhanced production/post-production workspace (DOCLab), and hosts and supports numerous events presenting documentary work and practice, including the weekend-long MDOCS Forum during the Storytellers’ Institute summer residency program.
OFF CAMPUS
Nearly 60 percent of students study abroad at some point. Skidmore sponsors semester and yearlong programs in England, France, New Zealand and Spain, as well as many short-term programs around the globe. In addition, students have access to over 100 other approved programs in the United States and more than 45 countries. In 2021, Skidmore’s Summer Experience Fund provided stipends to 128 student recipients (from 213 applicants) to support unpaid summer experiences. Students are able to gain skills, knowledge, connections, and experience within their chosen field without the burden of having to support themselves while engaging in unpaid work. These experiences include internships, volunteer opportunities, research, community service, artist residencies, and more. Gifts from Skidmore alumni, parents, and friends, funding from Skidmore’s student government, the SEE-Beyond Awards program, and the Zankel Experience Network make these summer stipends possible.
ADMISSIONS
Skidmore received a record number of applications (11,200) for the Class of 2025.
39 states
24
countries
The 728 students in the class come from 39 different states and 24 countries. 8% are international students. 49% accepted through early decision. 26% identify as domestic students of color. 10% are the first in their family to attend college. 56:44 female to male ratio
Scholarships & Financial Aid The College’s financial aid budget grew from $15.1 million in 2003 to $65 million (as of September 2021). 2021-22 financial aid packages range from $2,000 to $76,500 depending on need. Fifty-three percent of Skidmore’s students receive some form of financial aid (grants and scholarships) — 54% in the Class of 2025. Of all applicants for the Class of 2025, 79% requested financial aid assistance. The average grant amount for first-year students is $43,775, and the average grant amount is $45,210 for all classes. The current average post-college debt for a Skidmore graduate is $25,715, well below last year’s national average of $36,635. Aid in specialized fields comes from the Lincoln and Therese W. Filene Music Scholarship awards and the Porter/Wachenheim Award in Science and Mathematics.
BY THE NUMBERS Increase in financial aid budget: From $15.1 million in 2003 to $65 million today
79% 53% of applicants request financial assistance
$43,775
$25,715
average first-year student grant
$163 MILLION
Operating Budget, 2021-22
of students receive some form of a Skidmore grant
average post-college debt
$76,220
Tuition, required fees, traditional residence hall and board, 2021-22
$494.8 MILLION
Endowment as of May 31, 2021
I N T E G R AT I V E L E A R N I N G & E D U C AT I O N
Skidmore is excited to celebrate the Center for Integrated Sciences (CIS), a LEED-certified space of collaboration and education for the Skidmore students of today and tomorrow.
22
46
RESEARCH LABS
The newly-constructed CIS North Wing (photo left) is complete and operational for math and statistics and computer science, as well as some biology, chemistry, and environmental studies and sciences courses. A college-wide classroom and computer lab are also available for interdepartmental use. The East Wing (photo above) is slated for completion by fall 2022, and the renovation of Dana is scheduled to be complete by fall 2024. In total, CIS will offer 22 teaching labs, 46 research labs, 12 traditional and computer classrooms, and the Schupf Family IdeaLab — a bright and open hub for innovation and creativity located adjacent to the soaring atrium.
TEACHING LABS
12
TRADITIONAL AND COMPUTER CLASSROMS
D I V ERS IT Y, E QUITY, AND IN CLUSIO N (DE I )
All over campus, every day, work is taking place to make Skidmore an even more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are woven into every aspect of campus life — beginning with efforts to ensure that a diverse group of prospective students and employees receive welcoming and informative invitations to join the Skidmore community, and following through to Skidmore’s curriculum, which requires upperlevel, purposeful, creative thought about DEI. Outside the classroom, there are ongoing resources and training for faculty and staff, committees charged with responding to bias and safeguarding equity and fairness, and an array of clubs and community groups that strengthen our cultural fluencies and enrich and enliven campus life. This multi-pronged approach ensures that every student, faculty, and staff member takes an active role in diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
To learn more about signature DEI projects like The Center (pictured), In It, and the Racial Justice Initiative at Skidmore, visit skidmore.edu/diversity
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
Our Campus Sustainability Plan sets ambitious goals for energy, food, waste, lands and grounds, and engagement. Skidmore offers more than 150 sustainability-related courses in 28 academic departments or programs across the College. Skidmore received a Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and earned recognition as a state leader for the New York State Renewing the Energy Vision Challenge. skidmore.edu/sustainability
Over 1,000 gallons of water per day are heated by a 54-panel solar thermal array on the roof of the dining hall.
20%
of the College’s electricity needs are provided by our 2.1-megawatt solar array and small hydro project.
Installed four additional EV charging stations and expanded our hybrid and electric fleet from two to 12 vehicles and five new electric carts for intra-campus transportation.
35%
of Skidmore’s campus is heated and cooled with geothermal energy.
52%
REDUCTION in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from year 2000 levels.
Dining Services offers additional zero-waste events, where staffed waste stations enabled attendees to recycle and compost 90% of waste from the event.
AT H L E T I C S
Skidmore student-athletes excel — on and off the field. Skidmore teams returned to full schedules in 2021. Two of the four eligible teams, men’s and women’s soccer, qualified for their respective Liberty League tournaments, with men’s soccer advancing to the semifinals and the women to the quarterfinals.
★ 54 fall sport athletes received Liberty League All-Academic honors
★ 15 fall sport athletes made Liberty League All-Conference teams
Twice each year, a number of student-athletes are recognized as Thoroughbred Society members for achieving a GPA of 3.67 or higher for the previous semester. In September 2021, 171 athletes were recognized. Forty held a 4.0 GPA. skidmoreathletics.com
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Summer academic programs offer opportunities for Skidmore, visiting, and pre-college students to enroll in credit-bearing courses. Three summer sessions are offered that include formal classes as well as independent study and internship opportunities.
Skidmore hosts nationally known and highly regarded summer institutes. The Skidmore Jazz Institute, SITI Company Theater Workshop, and the New York State Summer Writers Institute serve pre-college, college, postgraduate, and professional students.
Academic-year residencies bring students together with worldclass scholars and artists, such as Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, author and playwright Caryl Phillips, Bessie Award-winning choreographer Stephen Petronio, visual artist and MacArthur Fellow Janine Antoni and gospel singer and civil rights icon Bernice Johnson Reagon.
Skidmore provides programming for area youth and senior adults and participates in partnerships with Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Caffe Lena, and other community organizations.
THE ARTS
Across campus, the dynamic academic, cocurricular, and social culture is enriched by the visual and performing arts. The Frances Young Tang ’61 Teaching Museum and Art Gallery is a national model for museum learning, creativity, and undergraduate exploration. Faculty, students, and visitors experience dynamic collections, artworks, and programs every year.
The Theater Department delivers a preprofessional program of theater arts within the liberal arts setting. Likewise, dance majors receive the Bachelor of Science degree — fulfilling College liberal arts requirements while receiving intensive dance training. theater.skidmore.edu
The Tang collection comprises over 17,000 objects, and an ambitious programming schedule includes approximately 12 exhibitions each year. Tens of thousands of Skidmore students have walked through its doors for classes, one-of-akind events, and transformative work experiences. The Tang regularly receives praise from The New York Times, Art in America, Art Forum, and other national publications. tang.skidmore.edu
The Arthur Zankel Music Center opened in 2010 as a hub of musical activity for the Skidmore College campus and surrounding communities. With more than 54,000 square feet of teaching, practice, performance, and administrative space, this nonprofit venue welcomes almost 25,000 guests each year. The 600-seat, acoustically tuned Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall has drawn sold-out crowds and featured performances by many internationally renowned artists, including Emanuel Ax, John Baptiste, Dave Brubeck, Ani Difranco, Havana Lyceum Orchestra, Indigo Girls, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon, Gloria Steinem, Manhattan Transfer, Taiko Project, and the Ying Quartet. It also has hosted the NPR radio programs Selected Shorts and The Moth. skidmore.edu/zankel
SUPPORT
Skidmore received gifts of more than $24.1 million from alumni, parents, and friends during the 2020-21 giving year, including a record-setting $7.8 million through the Skidmore Fund. Parents made gifts totaling $3.8 million to Skidmore and over $2 million to the College’s annual Parents Fund.
$7.82 million 1,267 43% 2,171 $9+ million
in gifts to the Skidmore Fund will help students pursue their studies and discover their passions by providing every part of campus with resources that prioritize the needs of students and faculty. Endowed gifts strengthen the College in perpetuity. alumni, parents, and friends generously supported Skidmore at the leadership level during the 2020-21 giving year. Presidents Society donors contributed over $6.7 million to the Skidmore Fund. of members of the Class of 2021 gave back to Skidmore through the Senior Gift campaign, and 39 seniors joined the Presidents Society before they graduated. loyal Skidmore volunteers provided more than 33,000 hours of service (the equivalent of 18 full-time employees) and gifts that exceeded $7.4 million. More than 760 volunteers attended virtual regional, campus, or Reunion events. was raised overall by Reunion 2021 classes, despite being unable to gather and celebrate in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major grants from the George I. Alden Trust, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Davis United World College Scholars Program, GKV Foundation, Kettering Fund, Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation, Charles Hayden Foundation, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Ellsworth Kelly Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Teagle Foundation, Henry David Thoreau Foundation, and Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund enhance Skidmore’s programming.
Office of Advancement 815 North Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
JAN 2022