Built for What's Next
Johnson & Wales University: Built for What's Next
At Johnson & Wales University, being Built for What’s Next means encountering change with clarity, discipline and purpose. Over the past year, the university has executed strategic initiatives that strengthen our institutional position and prepare students for their future.
Message from the Chancellor
This year marked several important milestones, including the launch of a three-year bachelor’s degree designed to accelerate opportunity and respond to today’s learners, as well as the strategic merger of the College of Hospitality & Business and the expansion of the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences. Together with initiatives like the JWU Pledge and national recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the Most Innovative Schools, these efforts reflect our continued commitment to access, affordability and interdisciplinary learning as we prepare graduates to lead in a dynamic world.
This is a Community
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina, and through JWU Online.
- 8,274 Students from 51 Countries
An Innovative Educational Leader
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, hospitality, food innovation, hospitality, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design.
- 1,187 Interns
JWU Serves
University staff and faculty demonstrated their commitment to community engagement through participation in Johnson & Wales’ annual JWU Serves events during the fall and spring. These efforts included neighborhood and park cleanups, care package assembly, and other service initiatives, reflecting a shared dedication to fostering positive and lasting impacts within our local communities.
- 380 Volunteers-faculty, staff and students with 1,172 volunteer hours at 19 community sites
Financial Aid
- 98.7% of On-Campus Students Receive Financial Aid
This is Commitment
Our alumni are investing in the JWU community through diverse careers, dedicated volunteer work or generous philanthropic contributions. Their continued involvement positively impacts the success of current students and strengthens the legacy of our institution.
From scholarships to athletics, student organizations or any of JWU’s colleges, charitable donations are put to work universitywide.
JWU Fund
- Gifts to the JWU Fund allow us to respond to emerging needs and invest in ideas. These unrestricted dollars are immediate, flexible and impactful for our students and the university.
Student Experience
- You can direct your support to an area that is uniquely JWU and ensure all students have access to these opportunities. Internships, student organizations, clubs and campus programming all contribute to an industry- focused education that prepares the leaders of tomorrow.
Athletics
- JWU Athletics unites our campus communities and our varsity and club teams to compete with the same passion our students bring to their academic pursuits. Gifts to Athletics support team travel, uniforms, equipment and upkeep of facilities.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- More than 98% of on-campus JWU students receive a scholarship or financial aid. Whether you establish an endowed scholarship or combine your gift with others in our general scholarship fund or the JWU Pledge, your generosity opens doors and a new world of opportunities.
Academics
- Each of Johnson & Wales’ colleges rely on the support of alumni, corporate sponsors and donors who believe in our mission and our students. Whether in the classroom or in labs, your gift will be used to meet the specific needs of the college or program of your choice.
The generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students and friends of the university is what sustains us year after year. Support from the entire JWU com- munity will help power a bold new era of academic excellence and achievement. To recognize our supporters for their generosity, we’ve established a family of giving societies.
1914 Society
- The 1914 Society honors the many alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends who have included the university in their estate plans, whether through a will, trust, life insurance policy or retirement plan.
Mary & Gertrude Society
- The Mary & Gertrude Society was established in the names of our founders, Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales. We are proud to honor them by recognizing our 640 loyal donors who have supported the university for three or more consecutive years.
Epicurean Scholarship Society
- Membership donations and annual contributions to the Epicurean Scholarship Society provide scholarship support that helps to fulfill the aspirations of talented students. Society
events — led by guest chefs assisted by JWU students and faculty — include culinary demonstrations, receptions, seated dinners and cocktail gatherings.
The choice is yours and every gift matters.
When we all give, the impact adds up.