Dear Colleagues,
It has been nearly seven weeks since I officially joined the Chapman Family, and I could not be more confident in my decision to help advance the future of this wonderful university. First, I want to thank the Chapman community for the incredibly warm welcome I have received since joining the team. From my very first days and after meeting and learning from so many of you, it has been clear why this university is so deeply admired as a place where every person feels known and valued. It is a joy to join you in advancing a mission that blends excellence with care, and it is clear that Chapman has an incredibly bright future.
While I am still in my early days at Chapman, I wanted to share some initial observations and ambitions to help build on the impressive and important work of the University Advancement division. Our advancement work will continue to focus on deepening the very connections that make this community thrive. This means sustaining strong relationships with our current donors, expanding opportunities for new supporters whose gifts will directly impact student and faculty work, and celebrating the significant ways our donors positively impact the Chapman mission.
Partnership with our internal and external communities is a key to getting there. With that in mind, I have some exciting news to share.
New Partnership with the Marymount Education Foundation
Today, at a special signing ceremony, we celebrated a milestone moment for our university as Chapman formalized a new partnership with the Marymount Education Foundation, becoming one of only three other institutions entrusted with carrying forward Marymount California University’s legacy. Some of you may remember that the Ranchos Palos Verdes-based university closed its doors in 2022, at which time the foundation was formed to continue its mission of creating positive change by awarding college scholarships and supporting educational initiatives that promote access, degree attainment, and a community of learners.
The partnership will provide financial resources for selected students who choose Chapman for their higher education aspirations through the foundation’s flagship Marymount Scholars Program. Many Marymount Scholars are the first in their families to attend college, and we are deeply honored to be selected to walk alongside future Panthers as they discover their strengths, pursue their ambitions, and create lives of meaning and purpose. At Chapman, they will find encouragement and guidance at every step of their journey through mentorship, professional development, service opportunities, and programs such as Promising Futures. The first cohort of scholarship recipients will join the Chapman community in fall 2026. We anticipate welcoming four to six students in the inaugural year, with the goal of growing this opportunity to support 50-100 students over time.
Inspire Campaign Surpasses $425 Million
I want to acknowledge the remarkable progress we are making in furthering Inspire: The Campaign for Chapman University. We have now exceeded $425 million in commitments toward our $500 million goal. Reaching this milestone has been a collective achievement made possible by alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the university, all of whom believe that investing in Chapman is a worthy endeavor that expands opportunity and strengthens our community. I look forward to sharing more updates on philanthropy later in the semester.
Volunteers Contribute to Our Collective Success
It is also important to celebrate the many people who give of themselves in ways that exceed financial support alone. Recently, I had the pleasure of congratulating our Volunteers of the Year. The Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to trustee Mark Hilbert, co-founder of the Hilbert Museum of California Art, and the Outstanding Alumni Service Award was given to Jennifer Concepcion ’08. Both embody Chapman’s spirit of service, and they remind us that it takes a village to host so many meaningful events and build a culture of support. I also want to recognize the extraordinary contributions of our faculty and staff who dedicate their time and energy to volunteer in countless ways in support of Chapman.
In Closing
As we continue this exciting momentum, I look forward to working alongside all of you in advancing Chapman’s mission. This is a community that truly puts students at the heart of everything we do, and it is an honor to be part of such meaningful work. Thank you for the countless ways you contribute to our shared success and for making Chapman the extraordinary place it is.
Best,
Jessica Berger
EVP and Chief Advancement Officer