Introduced by Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett as a “transformational leader” who has succeeded beyond measure in her goal of turning Quinnipiac into the “University of the Future” with “equal parts vision, leadership and urgency,” Olian updated the progress on a selection of key initiatives and institutional priorities.

She also looked ahead to the university’s next century of unwritten history, a theme of a weekend marked by the launch of a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive campaign. But the focus in the early portion of her remarks was on the student experience. Developing students who can harness their potential and become “emotionally, life- and future-ready” remains the goal.

“There’s no greater accomplishment than fostering student success, so that’s where I’ll start,” Olian said. “Our No. 1 commitment is always the intellectual, emotional and professional growth of our students, in every facet of their experience at Quinnipiac. It’s why we are here and why we love what we do. It’s our focus. Every single day.”

Accomplishments and points of distinction

Olian discussed Quinnipiac’s “upward trajectory” through the lens of ongoing construction efforts such as the South Quad project, The S.I.T.E., and the recent opening of The Grove.
 
Other accomplishments and points of distinction include:

• Quinnipiac hired 34 faculty members and 120 staff members
• The university welcomed 2,100 undergraduate and transfer students into the community — the largest influx of new Bobcats in several years
• For the second year in a row, a survey of incoming students indicated that more than 60% of first-time enrollees had listed Quinnipiac as their first-choice school
• Quinnipiac has been visited by over 10,000 prospective students and their families — an increase of 12%

Embracing change and nurturing a climate of respect

In the Q&A portion of the presentation, Olian was asked by multiple parents about the emergence of artificial intelligence and its impact on the learning environment. The university has always prided itself on its agility and adaptability, she said, and the leadership has taken a typically proactive approach to integrating these rapid leaps in technology into the Quinnipiac experience.

“We will explore ways to use AI creatively, responsibly, transparently and in consort with our governance structure that will be developed by our AI Champions group,” Olian said. “My message is let’s experiment — after all, we are building the University of the Future.”

There were other questions about life after graduation. Students are provided with the resources to hone their interview technique, polish their resumes and build up their network of professional contacts, Olian said. But beyond developing those skills, Quinnipiac graduates remain among the most job-ready candidates thanks to the university’s commitment to market-driven career preparedness.

“More than 97% of our graduates are employed or pursuing advanced education within six months after getting their degree,” Olian said. “Seventy-three percent of QU seniors participated in at least one internship — 13% above the national average. We’ve been the No. 1 university on (leading career website) Zippia for employment successes 10 years out, for five years in a row now.”

Speaking more broadly on the most pressing issues facing college campuses nationwide, such as a heightened awareness of sociopolitical issues, Olian underscored the need for “nurturing a climate of reciprocal respect, a willingness to hear and actually listen to opposing viewpoints and engage with civility on the issues of the day.” To that end, events like the Critical Conversations Speaker Series have been instrumental.

“I think we're doing that right,” Olian said. “I'm confident, and I'm enthusiastic in asserting that we are on a really strong upward trajectory at Quinnipiac. There is so much to be excited about here. We are doing all of the right things, and we're seeing that in the response of our students and their families as they come to us in increasing numbers with a desire to be part of this community.”