Manhattan College announced today that it will change its name to Manhattan University, effective immediately, to better promote its more than 100 majors, minors, graduate programs, and advanced certificates and degrees, and to attract a more internationally diverse student body to this premier institution of higher learning. The NYS Board of Regents approved the name change on August 1 of this year.
The institution has a long history in New York City. Founded in Manhattan in 1853 as a Lasallian Catholic college, Manhattan College moved to the Bronx in 1923. President Milo Riverso, Ph.D., stated, “As a 1981 graduate of the school and a proud Jasper, I always envisioned Manhattan College as something greater, given the number of disciplines in the three schools we operate, the outstanding quality of our faculty, and the growing international reach of the student body. It is a natural evolution in our long history in New York City and a natural extension of our heritage that has endured for more than 170 years. It demonstrates our commitment to academic excellence and rigor and showcases the myriad majors and minors we offer our students in preparation for career opportunities or advanced academic study.”
Riverso continued, “We value having a broad and diverse student body, with particular attention to increasing the number of our international students. In addition, being a Hispanic institution, being called a university strengthens the distinction between college – often considered the equivalent of American high school – and the more appropriate term university in these countries.”
In May 2022, the institution surveyed more than 3,000 students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees and alumni about a possible name change for the school. The vast majority of respondents supported the transition to “University.”
According to the New York State Committee on Higher Education of the Board of Regents, there is “…increasing competition from out-of-state institutions recruiting students in New York, domestically, and internationally, with the term ‘college’ posing a significant challenge.”
Manhattan University is well prepared to recruit the best and brightest students who will become the future leaders of tomorrow and join the distinguished group of alumni who form an integral part of the school’s legacy.
