Title: Board Approves New Programs, Increases Financial Aid in June Meeting

Georgetown’s board of directors approved two new degree programs and received updates on major capital projects across the Hilltop and Capitol Campuses in its summer meeting.

The board also approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026. The new budget includes $286 million for financial aid, the largest commitment to financial aid in Georgetown’s history. The budget implements financial mitigation efforts in response to the shifting federal funding landscape.

New Academic Programs

During the summer meeting, the board approved the creation of two new master’s programs.

The Master of Science in Climate, Environment & Health, a joint degree between the School of Health and the Earth Commons, Georgetown’s Institute for Environment & Sustainability, addresses climate-driven challenges at the nexus of environment and health, with a focus on the most vulnerable. 

The degree program prepares the next generation of leaders to tackle complex environmental issues that impact human health. It will launch in fall 2026 at the Capitol Campus.

The board also approved a new Executive Master of Professional Studies in Global Sports Operations & Strategy. In partnership with a leading professional soccer club, the School of Continuing Studies program will equip professionals with the necessary skills to lead in the dynamic and complex sports industry. The program will also feature two residency experiences, one in New York City and another in Manchester, England. 

In addition, the board approved the renaming of the Executive Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs degree to the Master in Diplomacy and International Affairs. The  graduate program in the School of Foreign Service is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Hilltop Campus Improvements

Board members received the latest updates on multiple projects on the Hilltop Campus.

This August, Georgetown will welcome students to a new residential complex on the site of the former Henle Village. The larger, greener and more accessible apartment complex for juniors and seniors will accommodate up to 732 students. It will also include a wellness center, study spaces, resident amenities and a courtyard.

This summer, work continues to upgrade the utilities beneath Healy and Copley Lawn with more energy-efficient infrastructure. The project is slated for completion by spring 2027. 

Three residential buildings will receive flooring replacements in time for move-in, including Reynolds Hall, Kennedy Hall and New South. 

Three projects were also completed this spring, including the athletic floor replacement at the Yates Field House and the renovation of the fourth floor in Reiss Science Building, which now includes a collaborative hoteling space. 

In May, the ground floor of Healy Hall reopened with newly renovated areas for the Georgetown Scholars Program, Hehir Center for Catholic Life and a new student lounge for wellness activities and study spaces.

Capitol Campus Updates

At the meeting, board members received updates on the Capitol Campus and the new website for Georgetown’s downtown DC campus.

111 Massachusetts Ave., a building the university purchased and is renovating, will open in August ahead of classes starting in the fall semester. It will be the home of the School of Continuing Studies, Earth Commons Institute and other programs, including those from the McDonough School of Business, School of Health and School of Nursing.

A Step Closer to a New Boathouse

Board members also received the latest updates on the newly announced agreement with the National Park Service and the District of Columbia. The agreement will allow the university to construct a boathouse along the Potomac River on the Georgetown waterfront.

The boathouse will become the permanent home for the men’s and women’s rowing teams and will be located at the base of the Key Bridge. Georgetown will also provide rowing programming for the DC community, and the boathouse docks will be open to the public year-round for canoeing, paddleboarding and kayaking.

“This collaborative effort, which has been underway for decades, will create a special space for the Georgetown rowing community and will usher in a new era for public access to the Georgetown waterfront,” Robert M. Groves, interim president of Georgetown, said in a press release.

“We appreciate the ongoing engagement with both the City of Washington, DC, and the National Park Service, as well as the leadership of Georgetown President Emeritus John J. DeGioia and Mayor Muriel Bowser, as we move to the next stage of this effort.”

System Upgrades

In addition to capital improvements, the board reviewed two projects to upgrade critical systems.

Over the next year, Georgetown will replace the GOCard’s systems and infrastructure, which are nearing the end of support in June 2026. The project will replace 2,000 existing door card readers across the Hilltop and Capitol Campuses and upgrade the operating system to a more modern, user-friendly interface.  

Board members also reviewed the ongoing replacement of Georgetown’s wireless network. The five-year project is improving wireless connections across campus, including in outdoor spaces, and is designed to meet the evolving technological needs of our campus community. 

Comings & Goings

The board welcomed three new board members: Joseph Baratta (B’93), global head of Blackstone Private Equity Strategies; Suzanne Donohoe (C’92), chief commercial officer and global head of EQT-Ext; and Cary Grace (C’90), the president and CEO of AMN Healthcare Services.

The board also celebrated the service of three departing board members: Mary Erdoes (C’89), CEO of asset and wealth management at JPMorganChase; Jamie O’Hara (C’88, L’92), president of TSG Consumer Partners; and Gen. Joe Dunford (G’85), a retired four-star general, 36th commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.