Marian, Saint Joe Join Forces on New College
(image courtesy of Marian College.)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMarian University and Saint Joseph’s College have established a partnership to create a two-year college near the current Marian campus. Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University – Indianapolis is slated to open in July and offer degrees in liberal arts, business and information technology. The schools are targeting enrollment of up to 125 for the first year.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Marian President Dan Elsener said the long-term vision for the model is to spread beyond Indianapolis. He says a feasibility study will be launched next year to examine a rural version of the Indy campus. Another logical location for growth, Elsener adds, would be Rensselaer, at the campus where Saint Joe suspended operations last year because of massive financial issues and obligations. In May 2017, "Project Phoenix" — a plan to re-imagine the more than 125-year-old institution — was launched.
SJC Rector Father Barry Fischer says "this is a positive step forward for the future of Saint Joseph’s College. Saint Joseph’s College continues to live, in both name and mission, and we are excited about the possibilities that will be presented through this collaboration."
Elsener says the state’s talent pipeline is a key driver for the new school. "We are confident that we’ve landed on three focused areas of study that are relevant to employers, are true to our liberal arts foundation, and are easily transferable for students who may want to later pursue a four-year degree," Elsener said in a press release. "We will always have the option of adding more degrees as our economy and the needs of employers shift, but research clearly indicates that it’s in the best interest of students to focus on a few areas of study rather than a plethora of options." Marian and Saint Joe says the new college will create "learning and earning" opportunities through partnerships forged with local employers.
When the two-year college’s concept was unveiled earlier this year, leaders from both institutions discussed the likelihood of future collaboration.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Marian President Dan Elsener discussed the long-term vision for the model.