Martin University Turns a Corner

The Indianapolis Business Journal posted "Martin University focuses on workforce needs to close equity gap" on January 16, 2021 with reporting by Samm Quinn. 

Martin University was founded in 1977 with a mission to serve low income, adult learners. Quinn reports that he leadership of former Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene White and more recently, Sean Huddleston, has placed the institution on a more secure foundation.

Recent announcements include a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College to create a pipeline for minority students to complete degrees in education or cybersecurity. Martin University is also  transitioning to become an “urban work college."

Article Focuses on Small Church-Related Colleges

The Chronicle of Higher Education published, "To Stay Competitive, Small Christian Colleges Emphasize Specific Niches," on February 5, 2019.  Reporter Terry Nguyen identifies a number of strategies pursued by small church-related institutions as they face enrollment and financial pressure.  Administrators at Indiana Wesleyan University, Warner University in Florida, Westmont College in California, and Geneva College in Pennsylvania shared ideas for positioning their institutions to attract and retain students.

College Closure Impacts Small Towns Where They Are Located

PBS News Hour in cooperation with The Hechinger Report posted, "When small colleges close, their hometowns feel the pain." 

Reporter Elizabeth Hewitt primarily focused on Goddard College and Plainfield, VT and interviewed a number of local business owners commenting on the key role of the institution in the local economy.  Hewitt also includes comments by people impacted by recent closures of St. Catharine College in Springfield, KY and St. Jospeph's College in Rensselaer, IN.

Marian University and Saint Joseph's College Partner to create new 2-Year College

Gregg Toppo reports for Inside Higher Ed in "Marian, Saint Joseph's to Open 2-Year College," that Marian University of Indianapolis and Saint Joseph's College of Rensselaer, IN are planning to partner in the opening of a new institution in Indianapolis.  The partnership will be known as Saint Joseph's College of Marian University-Indianapolis.  You can read a press release on the Saint Joseph's web site.

Saint Joseph's was founded in 1891 and operated briefly as a minor seminary from 1925-1931. Collegiate programs were added again and a full baccalaureate program was operating by the end of the decade. A second campus was opened in Calumet, IN after 1951 and evolved to become what is now Calumet College of St. Joseph. Saint Joseph's suspended classes in 2017.

Marian University was founded in 1851 as St. Francis Normal School for Women in Oldenburg, IN. It became Immaculate Conception Junior College in 1924. The institution moved to Indianapolis in 1937 and the name changed to Marian College. The name changed again to Marian University in 2009.

Goshen College and their 18th President, Rebecca Stoltzfus

Rebecca Stoltzfus became the 18th president of Goshen College last year and was featured in a post by Marjorie Valbrun of Inside Higher Ed on April 24, 2018, "Presidential Footsteps: When college presidency becomes the family business, leadership requires balancing. Walking in your father’s shoes while paving your own path has benefits -- and possible pitfalls."  Valbrun provides a good overview of the strengths of the new president and interviewed various people associated with Goshen to portray how she fulfills her duties.  The description of the "soup talks" serves as a particularly powerful way to solicit ideas and suggestions from various constituencies.

Valbrun also provides some context by briefly noting other college and university presidents who followed their fathers.  Rebecca assumed the Goshen presidency just over twenty years after her father, Vic, who served the institution from 1984-1996. 

Goshen College was founded in 1894 and is located in Goshen, Indiana.  Enrollment is roughly 900 students and has been increasing in recent years.

Possible Lessons from Revival of Antioch College for St. Joseph's and other Small Colleges

The Lafayette, Indiana Journal & Courier and the USA Today Network of papers published "The fall and rise of a college," with excellent reporting by Meghan Holden on April 14, 2017.  

Holden sets the stage by initially describing the emotional events surrounding recent news that St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana is closing.  She then shifts her focus to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH and weaves together interviews with students, alumni, administrators, and community members to identify lessons that might be helpful to the those trying to revive St. Joseph's.  

Three central themes emerge from her discussions with different Antioch constituents:

• emotional and financial support of alumni and the broader community are critical.
• the effort will take more time and money than anyone can envision.
• and, reliance on traditional funding models will not be successful over the long term.  

This initial article is also accompanied by a companion article, "The Antioch College experience," where Holden provides more information on Antioch's history and the evolution of its relatively unique mission and campus culture.

Small Colleges take a more Active Role in Communities they Serve

Governing is featuring a post by Aaron M. Renn, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, offering comments on a trend where small colleges are taking a more active role in the communities where they reside.  Renn's article, "Can a Small College Save Its Small Town?" includes references to Franklin College in Indiana and to a recent Wall Street Journal article by Douglas Belkin that focused on a number of initiatives at Albion College in Michigan, Ripon College in Wisconsin, and several other small colleges.

Preparing Teachers for the Neighborhoods it Serves: Martin University will open School of Education

The Indianapolis Recorder reports that Martin University will be opening a School of Education in fall 2017.  Announcement of the new initiative coincides with the formation of the Martindale-Brightwood Education Zone, a partnership of schools, community organizations, and health-care and civic leadership.  Martin University and the Martindale-Brightwood Education Zone are focused on preparing and serving a new generation of teachers.  Martin University was created in 1977 and pursues a mission to serve low-income, minority, and adult learners.  The institution currently enrolls over 400 students.  The original campus for Martin University was located at 35th Street and College Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana. It moved to its current location on North Sherman Drive in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, in 1987.

Innovations at Christian Theological Seminary are Featured

Hayleigh Colombo of the Indianapolis Business Journal authored an extensive article on Christian Theological Seminary, "Seminary evolves as American church-going habits change."  Colombo interviewed Matt Boulton, president of CTS, to present both the challenges facing the institution and the many initiatives designed to better serve students.  The article is accompanied by several charts with details of student characteristics and changes in enrollment over the past five years.

The institution's Hub for Innovation Vision and Entrepreship [HIVE] is one example of steps taken to foster partnerships and encourage communication with the community.

CTS was initially founded in 1855 as part of North Western Christian University that is now known as Butler University.  CTS became a free standing seminary in 1958 and is located just north of the Butler campus.  It is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ.

Report finds Innovation and Promising Strategies at nine CIC Institutions

The Spring 2016 issue of The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Independent newsletter includes an overview of a new CIC report, "Strategic Change and Innovation in Independent Colleges: Nine Mission-Driven Campuses."  

The Independent's editor comments that the report provides evidence that private colleges face the future with optimism.  Further, it challenges the narrative that independent institutions are stuck with outdated business models and are unable to adapt to market and fiscal challenges.

The report focuses on nine small institutions and is based on interviews with presidents and other campus leaders.  Several themes summarize what the authors found;  "...a bias for action; a drive to connect locally, regionally, and beyond; realistic self-assessment and adaptation; structure for innovation; assertive leadership within shared governance traditions; and alignment of mission and innovation."

The table below provides the locations and enrollments of the institutions.

Institution	Location	Enrollment
Benedictine University	Lisle, Illinois	5,954
Bethany College	Lindsborg, Kansas	717
Dillard University	New Orleans, Louisiana	1,185
Houghton College	Houghton, New York	1,084
New England College	Henniker, New Hampshire	2,399
Stetson University	Deland, Florida	4,330
Valparaiso University	Valparaiso, Indiana	4,507
Washington Adventist University	Takoma Park, Maryland	1,057
William Jessup University	Roklin, California	1,161

James C. Hearn, Jarret B. Warshaw, and Erin B. Ciarimboli authored the report.  A .pdf version is available for download from the CIC website.

Community Colleges Play Large Role in Towns they Serve

Tom Snyder, President of Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana, explores the multi-faceted roles of community colleges in "Contributions of Community Colleges to Cities and Towns."  The post in Huff Post College was published September 18, 2015.  In addition to mentioning recent initiatives at Ivy Tech, Snyder also highlights programs at Cape Cod Community College, Yakima Valley Community College, and Lewis and Clark Community College.

Small Colleges Adapting to Meet Pressures they Face

In the wake of Sweet Briar's public struggle, Matt Zalaznick reports that many presidents and boards of small colleges have reassessed their financial health....and it appears that many are making necessary changes.  His article, "Small Schools Sidestep Sweet Briar's Struggles" appears in the May 2015 issue of University Business.

After initially exploring the situation facing Sweet Briar, Zalaznick then turns his attention to strategies followed by Wilson College (PA), Converse College (SC), Sewanee: the University of the South (TN), Whittier College (CA), Mary Baldwin College (VA), and Manchester University (IN).