Historic Milestone Reflects Commitment to Excellence in
Education and Student Success
BRONX,
N.Y., Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/
-- Monroe College, a national
leader in educating first-generation and international students,
proudly announced today that it achieved university status and is
now Monroe University.
"Achieving university status is a testament
to the strength of our broad academic offerings and excellent
outcomes, and a positive reflection of our warm, supportive
learning environment where students can reach their full
potential," said Marc Jerome,
President of Monroe
University.
The New York State Education
Department granted Monroe
university status in light of the institution's broad range of
undergraduate and graduate degree programs across academic
disciplines and liberal arts curricula. Monroe's Board of Trustees had passed a
resolution earlier in the year granting approval for Monroe's leadership to pursue this
elevation.
"Today's announcement is more than 90 years in the making," said
Marc Jerome, President of
Monroe University. "Achieving
university status is a testament to the strength of our broad
academic offerings and excellent outcomes, and a positive
reflection of our warm, supportive learning environment where
students can reach their full potential."
The history of Monroe
University begins in 1933, when teacher Mildred King established the Monroe Secretarial
School in the West Farms section of the Bronx. The institution consisted of just four
small classrooms with seven students. In 1963, the institution's
name was changed to Monroe Business Institute as offerings
expanded. In 1972, Monroe became a
junior college after the New York
State Board of Regents authorized it to grant associate
degrees. It became Monroe College
following initial accreditation from the Middle States Commission
on Higher Education in July 1990. In
2007, the University established a campus on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia in response to growing enrollment
from the region.
Today, the institution is recognized for its impact as a leader
in educating first-generation students and others who have been
traditionally under-represented and underserved across college
campuses nationwide. Monroe,
distinguished by the strong diversity of its faculty and staff, is
consistently ranked among New
York's leading institutions for graduating Black and
Hispanic students and has been recognized for its strong impact on
graduates' social mobility.
As Monroe University, the
institution will continue to build on its strong student outcomes
and will invest in their futures through the innovative programs it
offers to improve higher education access and affordability.
Through the University's signature Presidential Partnership Program
started in 2016, for example, thousands of local students from area
high schools have been afforded the opportunity to earn a private
college education at Monroe with
the majority graduating with little to no student debt. That
program will be expanded this year to offer the same opportunity to
the parents and guardians of students at those high schools.
In celebration of today's announcement, President Jerome also
announced a new scholarship program to help working adults across
New York further their education
and advance their credentials for workplace success. It will first
roll out in the Bronx and will be
called the Building a Better Bronx Program. Local public service
organizations and leaders may recommend constituents for
consideration for a full or partial scholarship, depending on
family income. The program aims to help eligible people in the
community who aspire to continue their education but lack the means
to pursue their dreams.
Monroe University is proud of
its stability of leadership that has served the institution well,
providing a consistent vision; a warm, personal campus culture; and
high standards for academic and professional excellence across the
institution.
"For more than 90 years, Monroe
has been a beacon in our local communities, providing deserving
students the opportunity to earn the education needed to pursue
their personal goals and career aspirations," said Stephen Jerome, Chairman of the Board of
Trustees and President Emeritus of the University. "Achieving
university status is a remarkable accomplishment. As we move
forward as Monroe University, we
will continue to make a difference in the communities we
serve."
Among those congratulating Monroe on its new university status:
Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough
President:
"We are excited to celebrate a monumental step forward for our
community as Monroe College transforms
into Monroe University. This
transformation is not just a name change; it represents a profound
commitment to expanding educational opportunities for
first-generation students and those who have been historically
under-represented. Our higher education institutions are essential
to our borough's success, and by broadening Monroe University's curriculum, we are
increasing access and opportunities for current and prospective
students. Congratulations to Monroe University for leading the way in
creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all and
its commitment to our students' academic success."
Carl Heastie, Speaker of the
New York State Assembly:
"I'm honored to congratulate Monroe on its hard-fought effort to receive
university status. Monroe has
always been focused on leading our young people towards a brighter
future, but this announcement highlights their commitment to
providing students all of the tools and opportunities they need to
thrive far beyond the classroom."
Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister
of Saint Lucia:
"On behalf of the government and people of Saint Lucia, I warmly congratulate President
Marc Jerome and the students,
alumni, faculty, and staff of Monroe University on this monumental occasion.
It is a proud day of celebration for Monroe and for Saint
Lucia. Monroe has been an
important part of the educational community here since 2007. We
have seen first hand the wonderful impact they have on helping
students get ahead with their education and careers. We wish the
Monroe team continued success and
look forward to our continued partnership with Monroe University."
Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Mayor of
the City of New Rochelle:
"Monroe has been an anchor of our
downtown community for more than 40 years and we proudly celebrate
its historic elevation to Monroe
University. It is a remarkable achievement befitting this
remarkable institution. The local community has watched
Monroe grow from a single building
on Main Street to a thriving campus that today brings students to
New Rochelle from all around the
world thanks to its reputation for educational excellence,
affordability, and student-focused culture. Congratulations,
Monroe University!"
New York State Senator Gustavo
Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee:
"As a proud representative of the Bronx, I am thrilled to congratulate
Monroe University on this historic
achievement. For over 90 years, Monroe has been a pillar of our community,
providing first-generation and underrepresented students with
life-changing educational opportunities. Achieving university
status is a reflection of Monroe's
dedication to academic growth, student success, and expanding
access to higher education. I look forward to seeing how
Monroe University will continue to
inspire and uplift future generations, and to continuing our strong
partnership in the future, as Monroe has been a dedicated partner in our
efforts to host vital community events in the Bronx, helping to enrich the lives of our
neighbors."
Pierina Ana Sanchez, New York
City Council Member:
"As a proud representative of the Northwest Bronx, I am thrilled to see
Monroe College reach new heights as
Monroe University. This
accreditation is a testament to the institution's unwavering
commitment to student success and community empowerment.
Congratulations, and thank you for your tireless work in shaping
the future of our community and creating outstanding professionals
who will continue to make a difference."
The first Commencement under the Monroe University name will take place for the
Saint Lucia campus this
October.
"The future of Monroe
University is bright indeed and I look forward to this next chapter
as we continue to build on our legacy of academic excellence," said
President Jerome.
ABOUT MONROE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1933, Monroe
University is a recognized leader in urban and international
education. The University is proud of its innovative programs to
increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes,
especially among first-generation students, and for the national
recognition it receives for its strong impact on graduates' social
mobility.
Programs are offered through Schools of Allied Health
Professions, Business and Accounting, Criminal and Social Justice,
Education, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, and
Nursing, as well as through its King Graduate School. Liberal arts
and continuing education programs are also available. For more
information and admissions criteria, please visit
http://www.monroeu.edu.
Media Contact
Jacqueline Ruegger, Monroe University, 914-740-6455,
jruegger@monroecollege.edu, www.monroeu.edu
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SOURCE Monroe University