St. galaxy银河娱乐场app和 Mount Mercy大学 Announce Bold New Vision for the Future

St的校长们. galaxy银河娱乐场app和 Mount Mercy大学 很高兴地宣布签约 新的联合协议 as they consider the potential for a path-breaking and innovative strategic combination. The immediate 同意ment allows students to take a range of courses from either university, 无论是面对面, or in a hybrid or online format beginning in fall 2024.

这样的安排, which was approved by each university’s board of trustees, will lead to more pathways for students at both institutions. This 同意ment will create 18 distinct graduate pathways. The two universities are also in the process of finalizing a second 同意ment that will facilitate the seamless transition of qualified students from undergraduate into graduate degree programs. Collectively this includes pathways into eighteen separate graduate programs as well as a variety of certificate and degree completion programs for adult learners. “在目前的高等教育环境中, this type of work represents a bold and proactive approach to capitalize on the current academic and financial strength of both Mount Mercy and St. galaxy银河娱乐场app博士说. 艾米·诺瓦克，圣. galaxy银河娱乐场app. “Currently, both universities boast a number of strong financial indicators. This joint work promises to strengthen our collective ability to innovate and grow as vibrant, 在我们的市场中以价值观为基础的领导者.”

“This deepened collaboration lays the foundation for a new model of Catholic higher 教育. The expanded pathways that this collaboration provides for our students and 我们的galaxy银河娱乐场app will be groundbreaking,博士说。. 托德一. Mount Mercy大学校长Olson说.

一年多了, the two institutions have been discussing opportunities to collaborate in an effort to increase affordability and access to quality 教育 for traditional students and adult learners alike. 预期的学生福利包括:

• The potential to reduce time to degree completion.
• Expanded opportunities to move seamlessly from undergraduate programs into graduate programs in healthcare, 工程, 婚姻家庭治疗, 社会工作, 公共卫生, 教育, 和业务.
• A strengthened core curriculum focused on holistic formation, and the development of ethical decision-making frameworks grounded in the Catholic tradition of both universities.
• New opportunities for adult learners to complete degrees, 获得证书, and upskill themselves to be more competitive in the labor market.
• New benefits and possibilities for the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids communities.

The two not-for-profit universities remain focused on long-term sustainability and corresponding efforts to control the cost of higher 教育 and to increase student access. Through exploration of a strategic combination, the presidents say there could be opportunities to leverage shared administrative functions and economies of scale to achieve cost savings and more efficient operations.

“We have seen great collaboration between our two universities in recent years,” says Olson. “我们都非常重视我们的学生, 我们的galaxy银河娱乐场app, 我们的使命, and have seen the results that can come from expanding opportunities with other like-minded institutions. We must remain innovative in the current higher 教育 landscape and be proactive in our learner-centered approaches, 而不是等着看会发生什么.”

丹尼斯·霍尔特施奈德神父和霍尔特施奈德博士. 多娜米. 卡罗尔, co-presidents for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, 同意, noting that this is precisely the type of proactive activity they have been encouraging colleges to explore. “We know these are challenging times for our colleges and universities,” says 卡罗尔. “我们完全支持圣. Ambrose and Mount Mercy are doing to lead the way in creating a leading-edge, responsive and sustainable future for Catholic higher 教育.”

The two universities plan to expand conversations toward a potential strategic combination in the coming months, ensuring that all actions are conducted with appropriate due diligence and subject to all applicable regulatory and accrediting agency requirements.

Learn more about the 同意ment and frequently asked questions at htvdirect.net/EduTogether.