The Board of Trustees of Marymount Manhattan College has unanimously voted to enter into an agreement that will bring MMC into Northeastern University’s global university system.
The agreement aims to combine the distinctive attributes of the two educational institutions, creating Northeastern University – New York City.
Over the coming months, details of the agreement will be carefully coordinated by leadership of both institutions. This website will serve as a central resource of information and be updated as key milestones are reached in the process.
VIDEO: Announcement about MMC and Northeastern
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Shared Vision
A Student-Centered Approach to Education
Once the merger is complete, MMC will become Northeastern University – New York City and become part of a global university system that currently includes 13 locations in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
Northeastern is the world leader in experiential learning and closely aligns with MMC’s student-centered approach to education – both geared toward preparing students to lead lives of fulfillment and accomplishment.
Northeastern shares MMC’s commitment to advancing social justice, educating a diverse student body, and fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth.
Key Aspects of Agreement
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.
Creation of the Marymount Manhattan Center, which will preserve the history and legacy of MMC, maintain MMC’s unique traditions, and support programs that carry forward MMC’s mission.
“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.” - Abby Fiorella ’83, chair of MMC Board of Trustees
Frequently Asked Questions
MMC’s Board unanimously voted to pursue this opportunity after completing a very thoughtful, deliberative, and thorough process to explore ways to preserve its mission as an institution of higher learning for the long term.
Institutions across the country are confronting significant challenges regarding enrollment and finances. This is particularly true for small, private liberal arts colleges, including MMC. Recognizing the mounting challenges the college is facing, MMC’s Board of Trustees proactively sought out a plan to ensure the continuation of the core elements of MMC for generations to come. Through this agreement, MMC aims to benefit from additional resources and complementary strengths of Northeastern.
Established in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the world leader in experiential learning. Northeastern’s global university system includes 13 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, and serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university offers personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, arts, humanities, and social sciences, that lead to degrees through the doctorate. Northeastern students participate in experiential learning programs in 149 countries and thousands of cities, including New York City. Northeastern has 300,000-plus alumni and more than 4,000 industry partners worldwide.
The merger has been approved by the governing boards of both institutions, and the ultimate timing to completion is subject to state and federal regulatory approvals. The timeline for these approvals is not yet certain, but the expectation is that the merger will occur in stages over time. Under the terms of the agreement, Northeastern will assume all of MMC’s assets and liabilities.
Once the merger is completed, the new entity will be called Northeastern University – New York City.
Northeastern values MMC’s legacy and has expressed its intent to preserve and enhance the campus, including the establishment of the Marymount Manhattan Center, which will preserve the history and legacy of MMC, maintain MMC’s unique traditions, and support programs that carry forward MMC’s mission.
Northeastern intends to preserve and enhance the East 71st Street campus for generations to come.
Named spaces—such as the Judith Mara Carson Center for Visual Arts and the Theresa Lang Theatre—will be preserved as part of Northeastern University – New York City.
Northeastern University and Marymount Manhattan College will work together to map existing degree programs with Northeastern’s curriculum across disciplines, and identify opportunities to leverage strengths and create new offerings for students.
Enrolled and admitted students at the time of the merger will be able to continue to make academic progress in their chosen field(s) of study. Students will receive individualized guidance and support to ensure they have pathways toward degree completion.
Consistent with the agreement, students at the time of the merger will not incur additional tuition or fees apart from customary annual increases and existing financial aid awards will be honored.
All full-time MMC faculty members at the time of the merger will become Northeastern faculty and receive one-year contracts, with the option thereafter to be considered for available tenured, tenure-track and non-tenure-track positions. All staff employed by MMC upon the effective date of the merger shall become employees of Northeastern University. Staff positions will continue to be prioritized in support of our mission and operations in New York, which are expected to grow over time.
To ensure that the MMC legacy continues to thrive, Northeastern University is committed to establishing the Marymount Manhattan Center and emphasizes its core values with respect to the performing arts and creative expression. Consistent with the merger agreement, Northeastern will also retain MMC’s Bedford Hill and Taconic College prison education programs as well as the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).
MMC alumni will continue to be a valued and integral part of our community. Alumni will always have a home on the vibrant East 71st Street campus. MMC remains committed to providing a quality alumni experience for our graduates that honors our traditions, and we will continue to plan reunions, publish stories about alumni accomplishments, and facilitate important career connections between students and alumni.
Yes. Donors have opportunities to continue to support MMC’s campus, programs, students, faculty and staff. These opportunities will include support for the center bearing elements of the Marymount Manhattan name, transformative prison education programs, much-needed scholarships for students, and other key priorities. We are relying on continued alumni and donor support in order to keep serving our students and broader MMC community.
“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.” - Peter Naccarato, Interim President of MMC
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“Since the time of its founding by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, MMC has been a special place dedicated to developing students in their intellectual achievement, personal growth, and societal awareness to lead lives that improve the world around us. The Board was very thoughtful and deliberative in identifying a plan and a partner that preserve these founding pillars of MMC. We unanimously believe that Northeastern is the ideal partner to not just carry on but enhance that legacy into the future.” - Catherine Patten, RSHM, MMC Trustee
