BEVERLY, Mass. — Building on last year's successful rebrand, the Conference of New England (CNE) has unveiled a new strategic plan that sets forth an ambitious vision for enhancing the student-athlete experience and advances the conference as a national leader in NCAA Division III athletics.

"Capitalizing off of the momentum of our rebrand, it was critical that our Conference analyzed its priorities in order to best modernize our approach towards supporting our student-athletes while continuing to align with the fluid dynamics of higher education and more specifically intercollegiate athletics," said CNE Commissioner Patrick Colbert. "I applaud the collaborative efforts of our Board of Directors and the Strategic Planning Committee for their thorough leadership, and we look forward to working with our membership to ensure our vision transitions to reality."

The CNE Strategic Planning Committee—featuring a collective of presidents, administrators, athletic directors, and conference staff—spearheaded in-depth conversations that laid the foundation for a focused and aspirational vision for the conference's future.

CNE Strategic Planning Committee

•     Dr. Lawrence Ward – President, University of Hartford and Committee Chair
•     Dr. John King – Vice President for Student Life/ADR, Roger Williams University
•     Jack Hayes – Former Director of Athletics, Nichols College
•     Heather Davis – Director of Athletics, University of New England
•     Cheryl Aaron – Director of Athletics, Wentworth Institute of Technology
•     Patrick Colbert – Commissioner, Conference of New England
•     Julie Beer - Associate Commissioner/SWA, Conference of New England
•     Brett Bosley - Assistant Commissioner/Communications, Conference of New England

Endorsed by the CNE Board of Directors, the strategic plan reflects a year of thoughtful collaboration among leaders from all 10 member institutions. Built around an updated mission and set of philosophical pillars, the plan maps out a clear set of priorities aimed at driving the conference forward into the future. President of Suffolk University and the Chair of the CNE Board of Directors, Dr. Marisa Kelly, said, "By placing student well-being at the center of our mission, the CNE, through our new strategic plan, is continuing to focus on what matters most even as we further elevate our competitiveness and reach as a conference."

Emphasizing the plan's overarching objectives, the league and its members embrace a revitalized mission statement to steer their continued growth and impact.

"The Conference of New England provides each of its student-athletes with a comprehensive experience that prioritizes academic and athletic excellence through the practice and application of its seven philosophical pillars. The Conference is committed towards effectively administering sport in an equitable, safe, and inclusive environment that aligns with the NCAA Division III philosophy and
celebrates combined achievements both in the classroom and within competition."

"The CNE's priority focus on the quality of our student athletes' education, experience, and overall wellbeing is inspiring," said President of the University of Hartford and the Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, Dr. Lawrence Ward. "The new strategic plan serves as a compelling leadership example, particularly as the landscape for intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve."

Rooted by seven philosophical pillars, the plan reflects a unified vision to accompany the league's "ONE New England" motto.

The Conference is deeply committed to upholding the principles of sportsmanship and integrity by establishing practices and policies that promote positive behavior among student-athletes, staff, and institutions. Central to this commitment is the creation of safe and welcoming environments that not only encourage enthusiastic fan engagement but also highlight the responsibility of serving as role models and stewards of the values shared by both the Conference and its member institutions.

Equally important is the emphasis on student-athlete health and well-being. The Conference is taking an innovative and diligent approach to developing a comprehensive strategy that supports the physical, mental, and emotional wellness of its student-athletes. Through effective programming, inclusive campus dialogues, and educational sessions—particularly around mental health—the Conference is focused on fostering a supportive environment. Collaborating closely with its Sports Medicine Committee, the Conference will establish specialized policies and procedures aimed at injury prevention and ensuring a safe atmosphere for competition.

In pursuit of competitive excellence, the Conference is dedicated to elevating its presence on both the regional and national stage. It will actively seek partnerships with peer conferences to develop scheduling alliances, in-season tournament opportunities, and other initiatives designed to increase the visibility and competitive strength of its member programs against high-level opponents.

Operational excellence is another cornerstone of the Conference's mission. Member institutions will be expected to deliver athletic events at the highest standards, enhancing the experience for all participants. By working collaboratively and setting clear, transparent expectations, the Conference will implement detailed policies that guide effective and safe operations throughout its institutions.

Academic achievement remains a priority, aligned with the values outlined in the Conference's mission. Member institutions, in collaboration with faculty leaders, will support student-athletes in their pursuit of academic excellence. This will involve integrating faculty perspectives into Conference operations, developing cross-institutional academic experiences, and celebrating the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the highest level.

As resource-generating opportunities become increasingly vital within the division, the Conference will proactively explore strategies that provide tangible benefits and infrastructure improvements for its institutions. While not all opportunities may result in direct financial gain, the Conference will strategically leverage its negotiating power to reduce costs and build valuable vendor partnerships.

Finally, inclusivity is at the heart of the student-athlete experience. The Conference and its member institutions are dedicated to creating inclusive environments that support the holistic development of student-athletes—socially, athletically, and academically. By engaging student-athletes in meaningful dialogue and implementing effective, Conference-wide programming, the Conference will ensure that inclusivity remains a driving force behind its decision-making and community-building efforts.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Originally founded in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), and reconstituted as the Conference of New England (CNE) in 2024, the CNE is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 11 full member and five associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers championships in 21 intercollegiate sports.