Meet Christy L. Brown, J.D.
Alverno's ninth president
Milwaukee native begins tenure with 2023-2024 academic year
Alverno’s history as a women’s college is one of the many reasons that Christy L. Brown was attracted to the presidency.
“We know this environment provides benefits for young people and for women, because they won’t have that environment when they go out into the real world,” she says.
Alverno College’s Board of Trustees unanimously selected the Milwaukee native and local executive to succeed Sister Andrea Lee, IHM, Ph.D. who ended her service in June 2022. Brown
served previously as Chief Executive Officer for Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) since 2012. She began her tenure at Alverno in July of 2023.
Other strengths that Brown sees at Alverno are the 8 Abilities, the diversity of the student body, the Franciscan values that center on social
justice and equity, and the dedication of faculty and staff.
“I was completely blown away by how much they care about Alverno, the students and their learning,” she says. “I think some of the awards and recognition that Alverno has
received over the years are a testament to that level of dedication and caring.”
Together, these are the reasons that inspire students to choose Alverno – and Brown wants the world to take note.
“I feel like on some level, Alverno is still a very well-kept secret and we need for people not only in our community but outside of our community to understand what a jewel it
is,” she says. “I’ve always admired Alverno from afar, and during this process, I learned so much more about it and how much people love it. And now I love it, too.”
Building on Alverno’s strengths, she will drive academic excellence and innovation, continue to attract courageous and forward-thinking students who look to develop themselves and
contribute to their communities, and expand Alverno’s national and international reputation.
Read more about President Brown's background and experience as published in Alverno Magazine.
Alverno's Foundation for Learning
For nearly 50 years, Alverno's ability-based curriculum has been described as innovative and revolutionary. We believe the real benefit of knowledge is knowing how to apply it, which is why we integrate eight core abilities into our curriculum. The 8 Abilities are the foundation of the Alverno experience, and the students practice these essential skills throughout their educational journey, working toward mastery. Ultimately, the 8 Abilities are what give our students and alums the power to stand apart from the crowd and to succeed both personally and professionally.
- Communication: makes meaning of the world by connecting people, ideas, books, media, and technology.
- Analysis: develops critical and independent thinking.
- Problem solving: helps define problems and integrate resources to reach decisions, make recommendations, or implement action plans.
- Valuing in Decision Making: approaches moral issues by understanding the dimensions of personal decisions and accepting responsibility for consequences.
- Social Interaction: facilitates results in group efforts by eliciting the views of others to help formulate conclusions.
- Developing a Global Perspective: requires the understanding of – and respect for – the economic, social, and biological interdependence of global life.
- Effective citizenship: involves making informed choices and developing strategies for collaborative involvement in community issues.
- Aesthetic Engagement: integrates the intuitive dimensions of participation in the arts with broader social, cultural, and theoretical frameworks.
Alverno is deeply rooted in the Milwaukee community it calls home. It carries the distinction of being Wisconsin's first Hispanic-Serving Institution. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive environment where differences of all kinds are celebrated and embraced.
Fifty-four percent of the undergraduate students come from the City of Milwaukee.
- Southeastern Wisconsin counties¹ 85%
- Other Wisconsin counties 4%
- Out of state 10%
- International² 1%
1 Includes: Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha
2 Includes: Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Thailand, Canada and Mexico
- 70% of incoming undergraduate students are first-generation college students.
- Alverno College graduates apply their knowledge and skills to the local workforce, with 77% of them living and working in Wisconsin.
- Athletics – The Alverno Inferno is a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), and offers eight sports at the NCAA Division III level: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
- Faculty – Alverno has 90 full-time faculty members, most of whom have the highest degree in their field. Alverno faculty are recognized nationally for their teaching expertise.
- Programs of Study – Alverno’s 60-plus undergraduate program areas reflect majors, minors and adult and degree completion programs. They are contained within four schools: School of Professional Studies (including the Business and Education divisions); JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions; School of Arts and Sciences; and School of Adult Learning and New Initiatives. Within the School of Arts and Sciences are the divisions of: Arts; Behavioral Sciences; Humanities; and Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology.
- Alverno offers certificate programs, digital badges and graduate programs for women and men. Graduate programs include an Educational Specialist in School Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education for teachers, a Master of Science in Nursing with eight tracks, a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Music Therapy, a Master of Science in Community Psychology, a Master of Arts in Music and Liturgy, a Doctor of Nursing Practice, and a Doctorate in Education.
- Financial Aid – Almost 100% of Alverno’s full-time undergraduate students who filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrated need received financial aid assistance from the College’s nearly $40 million-plus financial aid program in 2021-22.
Ready for what's next
