Ohio’s Ursuline College and Pennyslvania’s Gannon University took the beginning steps to launch what officials are calling a “strategic partnership.” 

Details were scant. A news release touting the move between the two Catholic colleges did not use the word “merger.” 

Instead, officials stressed they are in the beginning stages of figuring things out, though they did note there would be no immediate impact for students and employees. 

Gannon’s campus in Erie is about 95 miles from Ursuline’s home in Pepper Pike. That’s where leaders from both institutions came together to sign a letter of intent and announce the move Monday, Sept. 16. Gannon also operates a campus offering health-focused graduate programs near Tampa, Florida. 

This move, if approved, will create the largest Catholic university “in the region,” according to the release. The partnering institutions could enroll about 6,000 students and employ roughly 1,300 people. 

Gannon, Ursuline partnership comes after Notre Dame College closure

This comes as many small private colleges saw the COVID-19 pandemic amplify already existing financial and enrollment challenges. It resulted in closures for some, including Northeast Ohio’s Notre Dame College earlier this year. 

In fact, at least 30 colleges across the country closed in 2023, far higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to The Hechinger Report.  

Ursuline President David King noted the landscape for liberal arts schools is “changing rapidly.” 

“Our leadership has taken a proactive approach to embark on a new path that educates our students for generations to come and preserves our traditions and mission,” he said in the release. 

Officials said that the move checks the boxes for all parties involved. Gannon was looking to expand. And, according to the release, Ursuline “has been looking to partner with a larger institution.” 

It also benefits the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. The group sponsors the college and was looking for a partner as the number of sisters declined, according to the release. 

What comes next for Ursuline, Gannon partnership? 

The sisters will still need to give their official sign-off on the move, though the sisters’ president has already called this decision the “best way to extend the life of the college and continue Ursuline’s legacy.”

So, too, would other groups, such as the college’s accreditors. 

Now, officials from both higher education institutions must turn to the work. Teams will look at how the colleges can integrate and work together. The release said this process will take  12 to 18 months. 

Ursuline’s president, King, recognized that students and employees will have questions. He said officials “look forward to answering them in the days and weeks ahead.” 

Both Ursuline and Gannon launched their own FAQ pages in the meantime. 

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