Northeastern University, based in Boston, has agreed to merge with Marymount Manhattan College, a small, private liberal arts college in New York City.
The Springfield Republican reports that the merger plan follows concerns about declining enrollment at Marymount and the increasing challenges faced by small American colleges, the university said. If the merger is approved by state and federal regulators, Marymount will change its name to Northeastern University – New York City and become Northeastern’s 14th campus.
Under the plan, Marymount students will be able to pursue their current degree paths, but will become Northeastern students.
All Marymount staff would become Northeastern staff, but full-time faculty would only receive one-year contracts, according to Northeastern. They would then be considered for available positions once the year is up.
Marymount enrolled about 1,500 students in 2023 and is best known for its performing arts programs, according to Northeastern. It also has a “desirable” location for students, high-quality academics and “deep connections to the New York City arts and theater ecosystem.”
The merger would give Marymount students and faculty access to Northeastern’s global university system, which includes campuses in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, experiential learning programs in 149 countries and partnerships with more than 4,000 industry partners, Northeastern said.
