William Jewell College Declares End to Financial Crisis After 18 Months of Reforms
William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, has announced that it has successfully emerged from a financial crisis that began in December 2024. Over the past 18 months, the college implemented sweeping changes, including cutting academic programs, adding new graduate degrees, and significantly increasing enrollment from approximately 930 to over 1,800 students. Leaders at the college, including Eric Blair, vice president of marketing and enrollment, stated that the institution has reduced its deficit and overhauled its governance structure. The college had set an ambitious goal of cutting $7 million in expenses ahead of the 2025-26 school year. Blair attributed the crisis to years of deficit spending rather than a single event, emphasizing the need to address a long-term business model. 
