An Introduction from the President
Many first-time visitors to the campus of Williamson College of the Trades remark , “ There should be more colleges like Williamson !” It ’ s not just the beautiful grounds and historic Frank Furness architecture , or the neatly groomed and professionally dressed students in coats and ties , or the students intently completing projects in shop and around campus . It ’ s also the fact that Williamson prioritizes helping the financially needy , giving a life-altering , life-enriching opportunity to those who might have been left behind . It ’ s a college that stands for faith in God and timeless values . It ’ s a college that works hard to foster those values – Faith , Integrity , Diligence , Excellence , and Service – so that our students can be successful not only in their careers , but in their families , friendships , communities , and in life . It ’ s a college devoted to the proposition given to us by our founder , that all of us should use our gifts and talents not for self , but “ to uplift the man and boy next to me as far as I could reach .”
We can all agree - there should be more Williamsons ! But if we do not have the resources to replicate Williamson by creating other campuses throughout the country , shouldn ’ t there , at the very least , be more of Williamson ? A growing college with more educational opportunities for more young men in financial need and better known and recognized throughout the region and the country . That ’ s the vision of Expanding the Williamson Opportunity : Strategic Plan 2021-2026 ! This vision expresses itself in four central strategic themes : increasing total enrollment , improving student retention , significantly increasing our applicant pool , and planning for the addition of a new trade program .
Like most strategic plans , this plan was formed collegially and cooperatively . Our new plan represents the coordinated efforts of the entire Williamson community – staff , faculty , students , alumni , board members , and friends of the college – all focused on supporting a common plan to ensure unity of vision and effort in moving the college forward .
This plan has very ambitious goals , but they represent the general vision that the board and the administration know to be absolutely essential : we must expand Williamson . We need more candidates , guidance counselors , parents , and friends to learn about the Williamson opportunity ; we need more qualified students to apply and attend Williamson ; we need more of those who attend to graduate ; and we need those who graduate to fill more of the highly technical and skilled trade needs of our region .
2 Strategic Plan 2021 – 2026