In an announcement made on Wednesday, Northeastern University revealed its plans to merge with Marymount Manhattan College, a small liberal arts college located on New York City's Upper East Side. Upon completion of the merger, Marymount will become a part of Northeastern's global network of 13 campuses, operating under the new name "Northeastern University - New York City."

Northeastern President, Joseph E. Aoun, expressed his enthusiasm for the merger, stating that it aligns with the university's guiding principles of providing enhanced mobility for undergraduates, industry-aligned lifelong learning opportunities, and expanding opportunities for faculty to globalize their teaching and research. By expanding its global footprint, Northeastern aims to differentiate itself in a time of uncertainty in higher education.

Aoun also noted the strong demand for lifelong learning in New York City, emphasizing the city's abundance of educated professionals who are seeking opportunities to reskill and upskill themselves for future job prospects.

Marymount, which currently has an undergraduate enrollment of around 1,400 students, will offer its students a smooth transition into Northeastern programs at no additional cost once the merger is finalized. While the governing boards at both Northeastern and Marymount have approved the merger, regulatory approval from state and federal authorities is still pending.

The decision to merge comes amidst the significant enrollment and financial challenges faced by smaller, private liberal arts colleges across the country. Marymount's Board of Trustees, recognizing these challenges, decided to pursue the merger to ensure the continuation of its student-centered approach to education for future generations.

As part of the merger agreement, Northeastern will assume all of Marymount's assets and liabilities. Furthermore, the university will offer one-year contracts to the college's full-time faculty members, with the option for consideration for tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track positions.

Peter Naccarato, the interim president of Marymount, described the merger as a natural partnership, highlighting the shared commitment of both institutions to meaningful community engagement and providing students with opportunities to leverage the resources of world-class cities to gain a competitive edge in their careers and lives.

While awaiting regulatory approvals, Northeastern University and Marymount Manhattan College are optimistic about the possibilities that this merger will create, enabling them to better serve their students and continue their mission of providing high-quality education in the heart of New York City.