Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., has announced a $20 million gift from Patricia and Jon M. Baker to establish the Baker Trust for Transformational Learning.

Set to launch this spring, the initiative initially will consist of three components: a Collaborative for Experiential Learning that connects programs within the McCourt School of Public Policy to diverse sources of learning experiences across the university; the Baker Catalyst Fund, which will support the creation of high-impact learning models for both students and recent alum; and the Baker Programs, which will build on existing programs at the university to enhance student learning opportunities.

Longtime supporters of the university, the Bakers established the Baker Center for Leadership & Governance within the McCourt School in 2014 with a $10 million gift. Patricia Baker is a member of the university's board of regents and co-chairs a committee on Georgetown Learning Initiatives. An alumnus of Georgetown College, Jon Baker formerly served on the board of regents and is the 1991 recipient of the John Carroll Award. They are also the parents of Georgetown alumni Jon (’89), Catherine (’91), and Carlin (’94), and grandparents to Sarah (’20).

"This university-wide collaboration will bring applied learning from the margins to the center of the educational experience," said vice provost for education Randall Bass, who will oversee the new initiative. "The Baker Trust for Transformational Learning will serve as an integrative force, helping to drive change by working across boundaries to enhance the student learning experience equitably, so that it is the new norm for every Georgetown student."