The goal…is to build the programs off “existing competencies and capabilities,” integrating classes and professors already at Covenant while hiring more as needed.

With no deeply controversial decisions about budget or contentious votes on the table, Covenant College’s Board of Trustees was able to set their focus on the school’s future during last week’s meetings.

“We are not facing any major crises,” he said, adding that the tenor of last week’s meetings was largely positive. “I think this session the board felt like they were part of the future, looking forward. And that’s what a board does when they’re not having to solve problems. They think about where the college is going.”

The meetings focused mainly on the development of academic programs over the next several years, as well as the school’s physical growth as it seeks to stretch its campus southward and increase its student population.

Nielson said he believes the school is growing more proactive about adding academic programs.

“We’ve wanted to take a step back and think, ‘Given the mission of the college, given the kind of school that it is, given its convictions, given the culture, what are those areas that we ought to be investigating? What areas do we want to speak into and prepare students to participate in after college?” he said.

Jeff Hall, vice president of academic affairs, has a list of programs he hopes could be implemented over the next 5 to ten years.