Kampe Rushoka ’26
“The Chuck Green Fellowship was life-changing and reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a career in gender activism.”
Brighter: The Macalester College Campaign
Scots know that the spark that lives within each of us has the power to light our way to a brighter world.
Tomorrow’s challenges require the ability to see clearly, think deeply, and act boldly. To bridge differences and build connections. To spark change and take action.
This is the work our students are preparing to take on every day. And our duty as an institution—and community—is to support them as fully as we can. That’s the charge we’re taking on with Brighter: The Macalester College Campaign.
There’s no better investment than our students. The spark they bring. The change they’ll lead. The brighter world they’ll help create.
Bright Lights
Lukas Lock-Scamp ’25
“Describing temperature change in a place that is fixed in collective memory could be a transformative moment of understanding for people who don’t think about climate change all that often.”
Mack Williams ’26
“What attracted me was the opportunity to learn about the experience of working Black people outside Macalester, and about social work in a historic location.”
Our Three Campaign Priorities
Campaign Priority
Opportunity
Make Mac possible for the most talented and diverse community of students
The life-changing impact of a Macalester education—and the world-changing impact that our students go on to create—all depends on getting here in the first place and having the support to make the most of the experience. Our vision is to make Mac possible for the most talented and diverse community of students.
59% of Macalester students receive need-based aid, with an average aid package of $65,189.
Macalester is one of 66 colleges in the country—of more than 4,000—that meet 100% of admitted students’ demonstrated financial need.
Macalester is among the 6% of institutions in the U.S. that offer need-based aid to international students.
Campaign Priority
Distinction
Give every Mac student the fullest experience in and beyond the classroom
We’re doubling down on the strengths that make a Macalester education uniquely powerful. That begins with supporting the work of our incredible faculty. It also means investing in high-impact learning experiences like internships, mentored research, community engagement, and study away. With our new campaign, we’re saying: These experiences aren’t extras. They’re a core part of what a Mac education should be, and every student should have one or more of these experiences during their time here.
“I love explaining our work and its importance. It’s an opportunity to build on science that supports policy and advocacy.”Sophie Carpenter ’25 Carpenter is part of a team of students—led by Professor Anika Bratt—exploring the connection between redlining and urban water quality.
Campaign Priority
Environment
Provide every student with the space, support, and connection they need to thrive
Our residential campus in the heart of the Twin Cities is one of Mac’s deep and distinctive strengths, and a key to our future. Our new Residence Hall and Welcome Center will become a new front door to campus.
Residence Hall and Welcome Center Virtual Tour
Admissions Welcome Center Entrance
The Admissions Welcome Center will boost recruitment efforts at a time of increasing competition for new students. Prospective students and their families value a four-year residential college experience, and the new residence hall will significantly expand housing capacity and enhance community spaces.
The Admissions Welcome Center will boost recruitment efforts at a time of increasing competition for new students. Prospective students and their families value a four-year residential college experience, and the new residence hall will significantly expand housing capacity and enhance community spaces.
Admissions Welcome Center
North Lawn
Green spaces will connect the new building with other residence halls on the north side of campus. Native plantings will advance Macalester’s sustainability goals.
Green spaces will connect the new building with other residence halls on the north side of campus. Native plantings will advance Macalester’s sustainability goals.
North Lawn
Coffee Shop
The coffee shop will provide a casual space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents and families, and community members to gather, adding vibrancy to campus and Grand Avenue.
The coffee shop will provide a casual space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, parents and families, and community members to gather, adding vibrancy to campus and Grand Avenue.
Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop Exterior at Night
Living Room—Open to All Students
The living room will be open to all students, not just residents of the building. It will provide space to meet, interact, and develop relationships with other students on campus.
The living room will be open to all students, not just residents of the building. It will provide space to meet, interact, and develop relationships with other students on campus.
Second Floor Rooftop Terrace
The rooftop terrace provides private, outdoor space for residents to study and socialize.
The rooftop terrace provides private, outdoor space for residents to study and socialize.
Pod Bedroom
Single and double rooms will be offered in pod settings. Pods are clusters of rooms with shared amenities, offering an apartment-like setting with the built-in supports of a residence hall. Natural elements will add to the warmth and sustainability of these spaces.
Single and double rooms will be offered in pod settings. Pods are clusters of rooms with shared amenities, offering an apartment-like setting with the built-in supports of a residence hall. Natural elements will add to the warmth and sustainability of these spaces.
Resident Kitchens
Each floor will offer two kitchens for cooking and sharing meals together (eight total in the building).
Each floor will offer two kitchens for cooking and sharing meals together (eight total in the building).
Resident Living Room
Each pod will offer a living room for hanging out. This gives students a space to relax and connect with others outside of class. There are six pod living rooms per floor; twenty-four total in the building.
Each pod will offer a living room for hanging out. This gives students a space to relax and connect with others outside of class. There are six pod living rooms per floor; twenty-four total in the building.
Pod Corridor—Casual Seating
Casual seating areas between pods will give students a place to mingle, relax, and chat with their neighbors. There are two casual seating areas per floor; eight total in the building.
Casual seating areas between pods will give students a place to mingle, relax, and chat with their neighbors. There are two casual seating areas per floor; eight total in the building.
Brighter Testimonials
“I support the Brighter campaign because I see every day how Macalester students lead with curiosity, compassion, and purpose. Through initiatives like the new residence hall, Brighter strengthens the spaces and opportunities that help students thrive. I’m excited for what’s ahead for Macalester and the community we continue to build together.”
Laurie Adamson
Brighter Campaign Committee member and Executive Director of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement
“Macalester changed my life and my family’s life. It provided a world-class education to a first-generation college student. Macalester’s incredible financial support made it all possible. I feel a deep obligation and commitment to pay forward all that Macalester has done for me.”
Ed Deutschlander ’93 P’22
Trustee and Brighter Campaign Committee Co-Chair
“Decades ago, Macalester transformed my life. Since then, Macalester has continued to transform lives and to work its transformative magic on itself, growing stronger and more deeply committed to making the full Macalester experience available to the broadest range of students.”
Patty Hurley ’82 P’10
Trustee Emerita and Brighter Campaign Committee Member
“When I first came to Macalester, I found a special place built through the efforts and values of those before me. It welcomed us, international students, with openness and warmth, a true commitment to global diversity, academic rigor, and unparalleled experiential learning both on and off campus. It’s now my turn to pay this forward. Brighter makes this possible at scale. Let’s go!”
Momchil Jelev ’08
Brighter Campaign Committee Member
The Brighter campaign will help Macalester fully realize the priorities we shaped together in our Imagine, Macalester strategic plan.
For more information:
AVP, Advancement Operations & Campaign Manager
[email protected]
651-696-6068
