All Entries in the "Women’s Colleges" Category
Leading Women’s College Eliminates Loans From Its Undergraduate Financial Aid Packages
Smith College’s financial aid program will make a new annual investment of $7 million, projected to bring the college’s total aid awarded next year to more than $90 million. All students receiving need-based institutional aid, which represents more than 60 percent of the student body, will receive an increase in their grant from the college.
Mills College Board of Trustees Approves Merger With Northeastern University
On September 14, the board of trustees of Mills College approved a merger of the women’s college with Northeastern University. The merger is expected to take effect on or about July 1, 2022, subject to regulatory and other approvals. When completed, Mills will become Mills College at Northeastern University, and the campus will be gender inclusive.
Sweet Briar College Reports Its Largest Incoming Group of Students Since 2013
After almost closing its doors in 2015, there were just 79 first-year women at Sweet Briar College in Virginia in 2017. This fall, Sweet Briar welcomed 205 new students, the college’s largest incoming group since 2013.
Mills College’s Proposed Merger With Northeastern University Hits a Roadblock
This past June, Northeastern University in Boston reached an agreement to acquire Mills College, a liberal arts educational institution for women in Oakland, California. The Save Mills College Coalition, a group of students, faculty, alumnae, and other friends of the college contends that the college has the resources to continue operations without the merger. A California judge has now blocked the merger until a hearing can be held.
Mississippi University for Women to Offer a New Degree Program in Psychology
Students at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus will have the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree in psychology starting in the fall 2021 semester. The new program will require more math and sciences courses and fewer foreign language courses than the bachelor of arts degree program in psychology.
Northeastern University Throws a Lifeline to Mills College
In March 2021, Mills College, a liberal arts educational institution for women in Oakland, California, that was founded in 1853, announced plans to end degree programs and transition to an academic institute. Now Northeastern University in Boston has made a proposal to bring Mills College into its global community.
New Legislation Creates the Nation’s First Woman-Focused University System
The legislation, signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, paves the way for the newly created Texas Woman’s University System to enhance operations, expand programming, accelerate community and corporate partnerships, increase philanthropy and have a greater impact on the state’s workforce.
Meredith College to Offer a New Bachelor’s Degree Program in Music Performance
Meredith College, an educational institution for women in Raleigh, North Carolina, has announced the addition of a new bachelor’s degree program in music performance. Students will be able to choose from three concentration options: instrumental studies; piano/keyboard studies; and vocal studies.
Another One Bites the Dust: Nation’s Fifth Oldest Women’s College to Close
In the 1960s there were about 280 women’s colleges in the United States. Many have closed and a large number have become co-educational. Today, there are slightly more than 30 women’s colleges remaining in the United States. Judson College in Alabama is the latest to close its doors.
Judson College Alumnae Have Stepped Up to Save the Women’s College in Alabama
Over the month of March, the “All In for Judson” campaign brought in a total of $1,255,273 in statements of financial support from friends, alumnae, and students. Alumnae donated more than half of the total. As a result, the college’s board of trustees approved an operating budget for the 2021-22 academic year.
Mills College Announces Plans to End Degree Programs and Transition to an Academic Institute
The board of trustees of Mills College, the liberal arts educational institution founded for women in Oakland, California, in 1852, announced that after this fall the college will no longer admit new undergraduate students and that the college will probably no longer confer degrees after 2023.
Salem College Announces Plan to Focus on Training Leaders in Women’s Health
The transition will make Salem College the only liberal arts institution to establish a distinct focus on elevating and expanding women in health leadership.
To Remain Open, Judson College in Alabama Has Achieved Its Fundraising Goal
On December 15, W. Mark Tew, president of Judson College, an educational institution for women in Marion, Alabama, that is affiliated with the Baptist Church, warned that the college would close if it did not raise $500,000 by the end of the year. By December 28, the college had raised $527,665.36.
New Women’s Leadership Program Launched at Alverno College In Milwaukee
The Thea Bowman Institute for Excellence and Leadership, a program designed to serve Black women through academic leadership programming. The institute is named for a Franciscan, Catholic sister, teacher, and scholar educated in Wisconsin who made significant contributions to the church’s ministry to Blacks.
Hollins University Creates Graduate Opportunities for Its Alumnae
Hollins University, the liberal arts educational institution for women in Roanoke, Virginia, has finalized admission agreements with Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, and the Virginia Tech College of Engineering.
Texas Woman’s University Announces New Book Series on Women Leaders
The TWU Book Series — Pioneering Women: Women Who Blazed Trails and Women Who Lead — has been developed in coordination with Texas A&M Press. The university aims to publish two books a year in the series.
Texas Woman’s University to Offer Joint Master of Social Work Degree With the University of North Texas
Students of the program are considered members of both university communities, and they will have access to resources on both campuses. Upon successful degree completion, program graduates will be jointly awarded a degree from Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas.
Cedar Crest College to Launch a Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
The full-time, doctoral program, which can be completed in 33 months, aims to develop ethical occupational therapy leaders who are committed to clinical excellence, scientifically informed practice, advocacy for occupational justice and positive social change, and serving the health and occupational needs of diverse populations.
Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, to Offer New Nursing Degree Program
Stephens College and Boone Hospital Center, a 392-bed, full-service hospital located in Columbia, Missouri, are cooperating in the new program. The bachelor’s degree program is designed to be completed in three years including two summers of study.
A Women’s College to Offer a New Undergraduate Major in Cybersecurity Risk Management
Bay Path University, a women’s college in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, has announced that it is launching a new undergraduate major in risk management and cybersecurity. The new program will include coursework in data privacy, project management, crisis management, and incident recovery.
Texas Woman’s University to Add New Master’s Degree Program in Biotechnology
Texas Woman’s University will launch a new program this fall that combines biology and business with an industry internship. This professional science master’s (PSM) degree in biotechnology is only the second of its kind in Texas and one of only 39 in the United States.
Texas Woman’s University to Launch a New Ph.D. Program
Texas Woman’s University plans to launch the new Ph.D. program in education, leadership and organization this fall. The program will be offered entirely online.
Ursuline College in Ohio Announces Three New Degree Programs Beginning This Fall
Ursuline College, a liberal arts educational institution for women in Pepper Pike, Ohio, has announced the establishment of new bachelor’s degree programs in exercise science and engineering and a master’s degree program in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Examining Degree Attainments at the Nation’s Women’s Colleges
In the 2017-18 academic year, women’s colleges in the United State awarded 534 associate’s degrees, 12,176 bachelor’s degrees, 6,123 master’s degrees, and 522 doctorates. All graduate degree programs (and some bachelor’s degree programs) at women’s colleges are open to men and women.
A Snapshot of Enrollments at Women’s Colleges in the United States
New data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that in 2018, there were 72,649 women enrolled at women’s colleges in the United States. These colleges also enrolled more than 2,600 full-time men.
Three Women Scholars Earn Promotions at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio
Ursuline College, the educational institution for women in Ohio, has announced the promotions of three women faculty members: Regina Prosser in nursing, Sarah Preston in chemistry, and Jennifer Schwartz Mrazek in art therapy. Dr. Prosser was also granted tenure.
Simmons University Offering New Online Training for Healthcare Workers Who Deal With Sexual Violence
The School of Social Work at Simmons University in Boston announced that it is now offering a comprehensive online domestic violence and sexual violence training program to educate health professionals and prepare them for work with survivors, children exposed to violence, and people who engage in violence.
Mary Dana Hinton Appointed President of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia
Since 2014, Dr. Hinton has served as president of the Collge of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Before becoming president at the College of St. Benedict, Dr. Hinton was vice president for academic affairs at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York.
Columbia College in South Carolina to Admit Men to Residential Programs for the First Time
Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina has announced that for the first time in the school’s 166-year history, it will allow men to enroll as residential students. However, the college states that it hopes to offer two tracks, one for just women and one that will be co-educational.
Stephens College in Missouri Is Starting a Three-Year Accelerated Nursing Degree Program
Stephens College, an educational institution for women in Columbia Missouri, has announced that it will establish a nursing program in collaboration with the Boone Hospital Center. The college hopes to enroll about 20 students in the program this fall.
Another One Bites the Dust: Converse College to Transition to Co-Educational Undergraduate Education
The president and board of trustees cited ongoing changes in student preferences, a nationwide decrease of interest in enrollment at women’s colleges, and proactive preparation for a decline in high school graduates beginning in 2025 as prompts for a re-envisioned Converse.
Cedar Crest College to Offer a New Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Program
The new full-time program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing specialty but who now want to pursue a career in nursing. The new program will be in an accelerated, 15-month format.
Simmons University Partners With Columbia University in Dual-Degree Program in Engineering
Simmons University in Boston, where traditional undergraduate programs are reserved for women, has announced the launch of a new five-year, dual-degree program in engineering with Columbia University. Successful graduates earn a bachelor’s degree from Simmons University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Columbia University.
Stephens College Debuts a New Master’s Degree Program in Health Information Management
The master’s degree program at the women’s college was designed to prepare graduates for executive-level positions in the nation’s rapidly growing medical and health service management industry.
Endowed Scholarship Fund at Brenau University to Honor Long-Time Faculty Member Louise Bauck
Dr. Bauck was a faculty member in biology at Brenau University from 2005 to 2012. She served as chair of the department of math & science from 2008 to 2010. After moving to Nebraska, she continued to support Brenau’s programs by teaching online and accompanying study abroad trips to the Yucatan.
