Announcing the retirement of Nanci Tessier

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

There are times when good news and hard news arrive together. This is one of those moments, as we share that our colleague and partner, Nanci Tessier, will retire at the end of May.

When Nanci joined Art & Science Group more than seven years ago, she brought decades of insight and experience, along with the perspective of a former client who understood how to translate strategy into institutional impact. In recent years, as higher education has faced real and mounting pressures, Nanci has maintained her unique ability to interpret those challenges clearly. She has helped institutions navigate change and act with confidence, positioning them for long-term success.

During her time here, she played a key role in strengthening our team and maximizing the firm’s capabilities. She has partnered with a wide range of institutions—including the University of Washington, Providence College, Bates College, the University of Vermont, Rice University, Bryn Mawr College, Wake Forest University, and St. Olaf College, among others. We are, without question, better for her insight and commitment.

Prior to joining Art & Science, Nanci was an already well-known senior leader in enrollment management. She was then—and remains—a trusted advisor to college and university presidents, boards, senior leadership teams, and the many colleagues and friends fortunate to work alongside her.

Nanci’s career began as a student in the admissions office at Boston College. It came full circle when she returned years later to serve as their inaugural chief enrollment officer. In between, she held increasingly responsible roles in undergraduate admissions at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York University, Barnard College, and Smith College, before being recruited to build and lead enrollment management divisions at Saint Anselm College and University of Richmond.

Over the course of her career, Nanci has generously shared her time and perspective at national forums and gatherings across the profession, including the College Board, Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the Annapolis Group, NACAC, Coalition for College Access, Enrollment Planning Network, Small College Consortium, and HERS.

Through it all, Nanci has remained a friend and mentor to many—one who brings her trademark humor and candor to every conversation. We will miss her but are so grateful that this Art & Science partner shared the final chapter of an amazing career with us.

For those of us who have had the opportunity to work with Nanci, it has been a true privilege. We will miss her steady presence at the firm—yet we are glad that she will be enjoying the cool breeze of the ocean and the wind in her hair as she embarks upon retirement. Please join us in wishing Nanci rest, joy, and time with those she loves in the next chapter. If you’d like to reach out directly before the end of May, she can be reached at tessier@artsci.com.

With appreciation,

Craig Goebel & David Strauss on behalf of her friends & colleagues at Art & Science Group