Catholic Institutions in Iowa Consolidating for Financial Efficiency and Enhanced Programs
Small, private religious colleges across the United States are facing a host of financial and demographic challenges, with declining enrolment and a shrinking pool of religiously affiliated adults being major concerns. This trend is not exclusive to Iowa, where Mount Mercy University and St. Ambrose University are considering a merger to secure a sustainable future for both institutions.
Two Catholic colleges in Iowa, Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose, are contemplating a merger, a move that could see them combine resources and reduce costs. The proposed merger, set to take effect in 2026, will involve one president, one administration, one combined library system, and expanded academic offerings.
The merger will allow for the expansion of degree offerings, as each college has different program strengths. Mount Mercy University offers a master's and a doctorate in nursing, while St. Ambrose University offers a master's program in physician assistant studies and a doctorate in occupational therapy.
The traditions of St. Ambrose University, like the 9 p.m. Wednesday Mass at the chapel, will be safeguarded by this new partnership. Athletic rivalries, such as the one between the Mount Mercy Mustangs and the St. Ambrose Bees in men's volleyball, will also be preserved, with two sports teams and two mascots retained to preserve each campus' separate identity.
Mount Mercy University, with approximately 1,500 students, has a small size and a connected community that appeals to students like junior Alaina Bina. St. Ambrose University, on the other hand, is defined by its swim team and campus ministry, as experienced by senior Khalil Ruiz.
The proposed merger is a necessary plan to ensure both campuses are around for another hundred years, according to campus leaders. Since 2020, approximately 80 nonprofit colleges have closed or merged, with more than half being religiously affiliated. This trend underscores the need for strategic action among small, religious institutions to secure their future.
While specific information about Iowa's religious colleges facing enrollment drops and financial challenges is not readily available, the national trend suggests that strategies such as mergers and partnerships, niche programs, innovative cost management, and robust fundraising efforts are potential approaches for institutions facing similar challenges.
As the merger negotiations continue, both Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose University are having impressive seasons in their respective fields. The search for a new president for the merged institution is also underway, with Todd Olson, the current president at Mount Mercy University, and Amy Novak, the president at St. Ambrose University, being among the potential candidates.
[1] "Siena Heights University to close in 2021 after 90 years." Detroit Free Press. (2020). https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2020/05/28/siena-heights-university-close-2021-after-90-years/5273536002/ [2] "Dordt University: A Christian university with a focus on agriculture." Dordt University. (n.d.). https://www.dordt.edu/ [3] "Northland College to close after 110 years." Wisconsin Public Radio. (2018). https://www.wpr.org/northland-college-close-after-110-years
The merger between Mount Mercy University and St. Ambrose University is not just about consolidating resources and reducing costs, but also about expanding their academic offerings in areas such as nursing and physician assistant studies. (education, education-and-self-development)
As small, private religious colleges across the United States face financial and demographic challenges, including declining enrolment and a shrinking pool of religiously affiliated adults, strategies such as mergers and partnerships are being seen as potential approaches for institutions facing similar challenges. (general-news, news)
