For the third year, The Storm King School’s Board of Trustees gathered at The Heartwood at Vassar College for a fall weekend of discussion, reflection, and planning focused on the School’s future. Held October 9–11, the retreat brought Trustees and school leadership together to review current priorities, assess emerging opportunities and challenges, and continue the work of building a strong and sustainable future for Storm King.
Trustees and school leadership at The Heartwood at Vassar College.
Through the weekend, Trustees reviewed the School’s 2026–2027 goals, enrollment, finances, fundraising, and campus needs, along with updates from Board committees. The retreat also included a presentation by John D. Fuller, P.E., P.C., architect of the Fischer Academic Center, about possibilities for additional campus improvements, followed by a hard-hat tour of the new Academic Center and other campus sites.
Trustees tour the exterior of the new Fischer Academic Center.
Looking out over campus from the Academic Center terrace.
Inside the Fischer Academic Center.
The retreat also featured a presentation and discussion with Elizabeth H. Bradley, PhD, President of Vassar College and a professor of political science and science, technology and society. Dr. Bradley spoke about governance and board leadership, the role trustees can play in strategic goal setting and fundraising, and trends in higher education that may have implications for independent schools. She also shared personal reflections on leadership and the importance of maintaining joy and resilience throughout a career. During the following question-and-answer session, the conversation included the importance of developing independence and resilience in students—skills that are central to the boarding school experience—as well as the broader challenges facing educational leaders.
Dr. Bradley’s visit held a personal significance for several of the Board members who have Vassar connections: Head of School Lisa Shambaugh and Trustee Kerryane Monahan are both Vassar alumnae, Trustees Neil Novesky and Tim Kane are each parents of current or past Vassar students, and Tim Kane also works at the College. Two Storm King alumni, Milo Miga ’25 and Sagan Novesky ’25, currently attend Vassar.
Trustees Neil Novesky and Tim Kane, Vassar College President Elizabeth H. Bradley, Ph.D., Head of School Lisa Shambaugh, and Trustee Kerryane Monahan.
Building on Dr. Bradley’s observations about higher education and leadership, Trustees also discussed how schools can best prepare students for college and life beyond graduation. Topics included the role and implications of AI in education, evolving high school requirements, and trends in college admissions.
These conversations reflected the broader focus of the retreat: ensuring that Storm King is well positioned to meet the needs of its students while planning responsibly for the future. As the School continues advancing its 2030 Strategic Plan, launched in 2024, the 2026 retreat reinforced the importance of an engaged Board working in partnership with school leadership. By addressing interconnected priorities ranging from financial sustainability and campus improvements to enrollment, fundraising, and the strength of the academic program, Trustees reaffirmed their role in building on Storm King’s strong foundations and advancing a sustainable future of limitless possibilities.
