Nancy Niemi, President, Framingham State University
In an interview with Invest:, Nancy Niemi, president of Framingham State University, highlighted reversing a 10-year enrollment decline with a 13% increase in first-year students, and launching a $1 million virtual simulation lab. She also discussed successful industry partnerships and strategic initiatives to support the local Brazilian community.
What have been the most significant achievements for Framingham State University over the past year?
One of the biggest achievements was reversing our enrollment decline. Like many public universities, we experienced a 10-year decrease in enrollment. After a team effort to identify necessary changes, we’ve achieved growth for the second consecutive year — 13% increase in first-year students and 7% overall. Each student we’ve gained has been hard-earned, and my team deserves a great deal of credit for harnessing the science and art of enrollment strategy to introduce many more potential students to Framingham State’s excellent academic opportunities.
Additionally, we’ve completed a thorough review of our institution through our national accreditation with the Northeast Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). We’re completing that 10-year review and expect to be reaccredited this fall. Our strategic and enrollment planning have come together, guiding us on where to invest our time, people, and resources.
We also launched a $1 million virtual simulation lab, which is an exciting development. The Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning, only 17 miles west of Boston, is an incredible resource for the MetroWest region and the Commonwealth. It serves STEM education and supports business and community development throughout the area. Additionally, the university’s Danforth Art Museum and School is a vital cultural asset close to our main campus and its community impact is growing.
What initiatives have contributed most to your growth and success in the past two years?
We are developing programs to meet our greater community’s needs. For instance, our MetroWest region has the largest Brazilian community outside of Brazil. To support this community, our Center for Entrepreneurship connects with local business leaders and innovators to bring ideas to fruition.
Our virtual simulation lab has been a key driver, along with business education partnerships. For example, our 3+2 program with WPI allows students to spend three years at Framingham and two at WPI, earning an engineering degree from both institutions. This public-private collaboration is greater than the sum of its parts.
How are you partnering with regional industries to develop the needed skills and workforce?
We focus on partnering with corporate and tech companies. Our goal is to ensure that within five years, every student has a paid workforce experience, internship or co-op in a regional industry. This helps students understand necessary skills and develop workplace behaviors. Last year, FSU hosted a summit with major corporate leaders to discuss both technical and soft skills, like presentation and interpersonal interactions.
Additionally, we are in ongoing discussions with major industries to integrate our students into their workforce. We have an upcoming partnership where students will be employed while finishing their degrees and committed to work for the organization post-graduation. This provides practical experience and job security, balancing education with career readiness.
How do you see the future of higher education evolving in Massachusetts, and what role do public universities play?
We need to better articulate the value and return on investment of higher education. While many still believe attending school offers great opportunities for life success, we must emphasize that a bachelor’s degree and beyond are excellent investments, offering more options and better pay over time.
First-generation students and those who haven’t seen themselves as college material need help understanding this value. We must guide them through the process, not just invite them and hope for the best. At Framingham State, half of our students now identify as BIPOC, reflecting our state’s changing population. We need to ensure these students see themselves as part of higher education, making it easier and more worthwhile for them to participate – to know and feel that they belong.
Public universities play a crucial role in Massachusetts, with its wealth of educational opportunities. Framingham State University, the oldest public teachers’ college in the country, was founded to serve the community. Our mission remains focused on serving Massachusetts and New England, addressing the evolving needs of our communities.
What makes Framingham State University attractive to prospective students, faculty, and staff?
Framingham State University appeals to prospective students, faculty, and staff in several ways. We are truly affordable, especially with recent substantial financial aid investments in Massachusetts. Many of our students can attend without financial strain, making higher education accessible
Our faculty are leaders in their fields: some have written amicus briefs for the Supreme Court; others have created world class art, and still others are working to develop new ways of addressing health disparities. . Our classes typically have 20-30 students, allowing for real interaction with faculty from the first day of class, offering a personalized education experience.
Framingham is dedicated to education as a public good, emphasizing social justice and equity. We use education as a tool to improve the world and offer opportunities for personal and community investment. We are also committed to diversifying our faculty to reflect and support our increasingly diverse student body.
How are you integrating AI and technology into your curriculum to create efficiencies for faculty and staff?
We are exploring ways to use AI to enhance our processes. AI cannot replicate human instructors. But digital resources like AI can help summarize information and manage data more effectively, for example. Our faculty are using AI to create large datasets for research and student learning, especially in digital humanities. Additionally, we’re developing computer science programs to meet the technological needs of local corporations and we anticipate being a leader in educating students for new technological careers in AI
How do you encourage community involvement?
We foster community-university partnerships by integrating Framingham State with the city and MetroWest community. This includes improving transportation routes that connect the university with the region.
We’re also working on housing initiatives, such as converting a residence hall into housing for faculty, staff, and potentially public-school employees. This can help address the high cost of housing in Massachusetts and serves our community’s needs.
Additionally, we have staff dedicated to connecting with parents and community leaders through various programs and local sporting events. It’s essential for people to know that a public-school campus is their campus too. We strive to make it easy for them to interact with us and continually work to improve these efforts.
What is your take on legislation that might impact higher education?
One significant piece of legislation is the introduction of free community college, which is a fantastic opportunity for students who want to start with the programs that community colleges offer. However, we need to ensure that students who start at community colleges can easily transfer to Framingham State and understand that we are also an affordable option from the outset.
Other important legislative areas include early childhood education, childcare, and transportation, which all impact access to education. For example, better transportation routes can make it easier for students to attend classes. Legislation supporting clean energy and recreational spaces also affects us. We’re partnering with the city to transform a former reservoir into a learning space and a community resource.
How are you enhancing student wellness on campus?
We have mental health counselors available every day and partner with community providers to offer 24/7 support. It’s crucial for students to know these resources are available. We promote overall well-being by educating staff and faculty to support students effectively.
Our approach includes physical health services and wellness programs that emphasize the connection between mental and physical health. By creating a comprehensive support system, we aim to ensure students can access help anytime.
How does Framingham State University serve both local and international communities?
We focus on the Brazilian diaspora, working closely with Brazilian communities locally and internationally to foster connections that benefit both our students and the wider community. This approach enriches our educational environment and helps us serve our diverse student body more effectively. We’re committed to making higher education accessible, relevant, and impactful for our students and the communities we serve.
We also have other international academic programs that literally touch the world, and we continue to invest in their development.
What are your top priorities for Framingham State University over the next three years?
Our strategic planning focuses on creating vibrant community-university partnerships, integrating our resources with local community needs. Another key priority is supporting our diverse student population, particularly BIPOC students and their families. Until every student succeeds, we have not completely achieved our mission.
We’re also addressing the high cost of living in Massachusetts by working to convert a residence hall into housing for faculty, staff, and public school employees.
Additionally, we aim to continue to grow our enrollment, serving a robust number of undergraduate and graduate students. This includes programs for adult learners and those whose first language is not English, ensuring we support students at all stages of their educational journeys.
