“Lizzie and I have been impressed with the University’s understanding of what a Brown education means to each graduate, and how students can focus their attention on what is going to be most important to them once they leave with their diploma in hand,” Jonathan Tisch said. “When you have a strong, vibrant alumni base who can offer you guidance, thoughts and insights, you should avail yourself of that — and our goal is that this gift will allow even more connections between soon-to-be graduates, recent graduates and other alumni.”
Investing in careers of impact
In addition to support for careers in the common good, the generous gift from the Tischs provides critical support to continue to grow career exploration at Brown in all areas. Over the last two years, the center has nearly doubled the number of career and employer events it organizes, and engagement in its programming and services has rapidly expanded. Its new career pathways model has marked a significant shift from a generalist approach to career preparation, Donato noted — by launching knowledge bases around specific professional areas, the center is collaborating more with Brown academic department leaders, and students are engaging more deeply in a cycle of exploration.
“This whole transformation is energizing the Brown community, and we’re seeing increased engagement from alumni, faculty, staff, parents, families and employers,” Donato said. “We’re embedding our philosophy of career exploration — to reflect, connect and explore — throughout the community.”
How Brown prepares students for successful careers now aligns with the principles of Brown’s signature Open Curriculum, said Dean of the College Ethan Pollock.
“Our approach is rooted in the ethos of the Open Curriculum, offering students the opportunity to bring their skills, interests, academic strengths and curiosities to their career exploration,” Pollock said. “With guidance from the staff at the Center for Career Exploration and from partners across campus, students are empowered to take risks, explore and find their own path.”
The Tischs’ gift includes support for advising, internships, staffing and more, enabling the center to deepen its work related to preparation for careers in the common good in sectors that include government, education, community development, human rights and nonprofit organizations. In particular, the gift will support collaborations with the Swearer Center and the SPRINT-iProv Summer Fellowship program, which provides undergraduates a stipend to engage in internships with nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.
“We help students think about how their career exploration involves being an engaged citizen who is connected to their local community,” Donato said. “We often talk about skills, interests, strengths and goals — but values are an important part of the equation, and we help students understand they don’t have to sacrifice their values to pursue an opportunity or a career path.”
For the Tischs, the Open Curriculum and Brown’s commitment to educating students across a full range of fields of study and professional areas, including careers in the common good, is key.
“Whatever you decide for your career, you do have a responsibility to others,” Jonathan Tisch said. “And the earlier we can get these kinds of philosophical thoughts and put them into action in the minds of our future leaders, to me, is very exciting.”
Across all career exploration pathways, the expansion of personalized advising, one-on-one mentoring and a wide array of experiential learning opportunities is equipping Brown graduates for success, Donato said.
“Many students at Brown have an inclination toward civic engagement, and we’re helping them understand that they can find jobs and opportunities that compensate them really well, align with the strengths and interest areas, and also align with their values,” Donato said. “We’ve achieved significant growth, and this gift will help us make strides toward completing the center’s expansion.”
Supporting education and civic engagement
Jonathan Tisch, a business leader and executive chairman of Loews Hotels, and Lizzie Tisch, who has led professional pursuits in insurance, banking and fashion, are the proud parents of daughter Mason, a member of the Brown University Class of 2025.
The Tischs have been leaders, board members and philanthropic supporters across higher education, the arts and social services. Jonathan Tisch, who graduated from Tufts University in 1976 with a degree in political science, said his longtime affinity for Brown began when his cousin, Thomas Tisch, was enrolled in Brown’s Class of 1976, and they would visit each other on their respective campuses. Decades later, Thomas Tisch led Brown’s governing board as chancellor of the Corporation of Brown University.