The Boards of Trustees of Marymount Manhattan College (MMC) and Northeastern University have entered into an agreement to bring MMC into Northeastern’s global university system, pending regulatory approvals.
The agreement aims to combine the distinctive attributes of these two educational institutions, creating Northeastern University – New York City. Through the planned merger, the unique mission and creative community that define MMC will be amplified by the global resources of Northeastern to support Northeastern University – New York City’s long-term future as a thriving hub of multidisciplinary learning and study in New York City. Adding this campus presence will extend Northeastern’s experiential learning model to 14 campuses worldwide.
Smaller liberal arts schools have been facing declining enrollment and financial pressures. Two colleges in New York State — St. Rose and Wells College — shut down this spring.
“Recognizing the significant headwinds facing small liberal arts colleges, MMC’s Board decided to pursue this path to ensure the continuation of MMC’s student-centered approach to education for generations to come,” said Abby Fiorella ’83, Chair of MMC’s Board of Trustees. “The agreement provides an incredible opportunity for MMC students to benefit from the extensive resources and global learning network that defines Northeastern University, while preserving MMC’s mission and signature programs.”
The merger is expected to be completed in stages over time, and the ultimate timing to completion is subject to state and federal regulatory approvals. In the meantime, MMC and Northeastern are initiating a planning process for integrating their vibrant campuses and communities, including input from faculty, staff, and other key stakeholders. Until completion of the merger, minimal changes are expected to the day-to-day educational experience of MMC students.
“I want to thank the leadership of Marymount Manhattan College for their partnership and willingness to embark on this exciting journey together,” wrote Joseph E. Aoun, President of Northeastern University in a message to the Northeastern community. “Their foresight and dedication to the well-being of their students is both admirable and increasingly necessary as the higher education landscape continues to shift.”
The agreement is designed to leverage the singular strengths of both institutions to prepare students to lead lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. MMC was founded in 1936 and has a long history of serving diverse populations in need of higher education. Today, MMC’s approximately 1,400 students are pursuing BA, BS, and BFA degrees in 34 majors, 40+ minors, and pre-professional programs, which are taught by 80 full-time faculty members and highly qualified part-time faculty. Northeastern, established in 1898, is the world leader in experiential learning, which integrates classroom instruction with professional experience in more than 140 countries. Today, Northeastern’s experiential learning programs and dramatically growing research enterprise span 13 campuses in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
“MMC and Northeastern are natural partners. The institutions reflect each other in many ways, including how we foster meaningful engagements with our communities and create opportunities for our students to take advantage of the resources of world-class cities to find an edge in career and life,” said Peter Naccarato, Interim President of MMC. “We are very excited to establish this connection based on our shared values.”
Both MMC and Northeastern are committed to honoring the history and mission of MMC and ensuring that its vision and values carry forward into the future. This includes further enhancing MMC’s signature performing arts programs and aligning MMC’s other degree programs with Northeastern’s curriculum. Additional commitments include the continuation of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and MMC’s prison education programs at the Bedford Hills and Taconic correctional facilities. The agreement includes the establishment of a center that will bear elements of the Marymount Manhattan name, with the mission of empowering students and faculty to direct their creative skills and talents toward making the world a better place.
Other key aspects of the agreement include the following:
- A robust and thriving campus on East 71st Street to ensure our mission and impact remain present throughout NYC.
- Steps to ensure the continuity of academic programs and campus experience.
- Students enrolled and in good standing at the time of the merger will be eligible for automatic enrollment at Northeastern and can continue working toward completion of their intended degree program, in accordance with transition plans developed by our community in collaboration with Northeastern.
- Access to Northeastern’s signature experiential learning programs for all MMC students.
- Students who receive automatic enrollment at Northeastern as a result of the merger will not experience an increase in net tuition or fees, apart from annual increases consistent with common practice.
Northeastern’s merger with MMC follows two other successful mergers as part of building out the global university system. In 2019, Northeastern merged with New College of the Humanities in London, England, leading to the establishment of Northeastern University – London. In 2022, Northeastern merged with Mills College in Oakland, California, providing the university with a comprehensive campus in the Bay Area.
