Occidental College

Background

Occidental College, commonly referred to as Oxy, is a private liberal arts institution located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1887, it stands as one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast. The college's mission is to provide a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students for leadership in a complex, interdependent, and diverse world. This mission is anchored by four cornerstones: excellence, equity, community, and service.

Key Strategic Focus

Occidental College emphasizes a distinctive interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to education. With over 40 majors and minors, the institution integrates liberal arts and sciences with the cultural and intellectual resources of Los Angeles. This integration fosters both the fulfillment of individual aspirations and a commitment to the public good.

Financials and Funding

For the fiscal year ending June 2023, Occidental College reported:

Revenue: $205,139,693

Expenses: $185,713,213

Net Income: $19,426,480

Net Assets: $799,955,779

Notable sources of revenue included:

Contributions: $25,157,797 (12.3% of total revenue)

Program Services: $150,788,633 (73.5%)

Investment Income: $14,546,601 (7.1%)

Sales of Assets: $14,618,739 (7.1%)

Pipeline Development

Occidental College offers a range of unique programs that enhance its academic offerings:

Kahane United Nations Program: Provides students with firsthand experience in international relations.

Campaign Semester: Allows students to engage directly in political campaigns.

Lawyering for Social Justice: Focuses on legal advocacy and social change.

These programs are designed to prepare students for leadership roles in various sectors.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Occidental College integrates various technological platforms to enhance its educational offerings:

Optimizely: Utilized for A/B testing to optimize user experiences.

Quantcast Audience: Employed for analytics to understand audience demographics.

Font Awesome and Lightbox: Implemented for improved web design and functionality.

Pantheon: Serves as the platform-as-a-service for web hosting.

Nginx: Used as the web server to manage and serve web content efficiently.

Leadership Team

President: Tom Stritikus

Background: Appointed as the 17th president of Occidental College, effective July 1, 2024.

Vice President for Finance/COO/Treasurer: Amos Himmelstein

Compensation (2023): $445,686

Leadership Changes

In August 2023, President Harry J. Elam, Jr. announced his retirement, effective in 2024, due to health-related reasons. Tom Stritikus was appointed as the new president, effective July 1, 2024.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

Occidental College operates within the competitive landscape of liberal arts institutions in California. The market is characterized by a focus on interdisciplinary education, small class sizes, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Pomona College:

Graduation Rate: 95%

Median Earnings (After 10 years): $70,500

Acceptance Rate: 7%

Claremont McKenna College:

Graduation Rate: 91%

Median Earnings (After 10 years): $97,800

Acceptance Rate: 10%

Scripps College:

Graduation Rate: 88%

Median Earnings (After 10 years): $59,300

Acceptance Rate: 24%

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Occidental College has established partnerships that enhance its academic and co-curricular offerings:

Community Engagement: Recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its community engagement initiatives.

Undergraduate Research: Offers robust research opportunities through its Undergraduate Research Center.

Operational Insights

Occidental College's strategic location in Los Angeles provides students with access to a diverse array of cultural, professional, and academic resources. This urban setting, combined with a commitment to interdisciplinary education, positions the college uniquely among liberal arts institutions.