Saint Leo University issued the following announcement on July 29.
Saint Leo University President Jeffrey Senese announced today that the university has signed an agreement to merge with Marymount California University, following a vote from the university’s board of trustees.
This agreement will unite the two Catholic, values-based institutions together under the Saint Leo University name, helping to provide students everywhere with a quality education. Saint Leo University is based in St. Leo, Florida, north of Tampa, and Marymount California University is in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
“There is value that comes from two universities working together to create something powerful for our students,” Saint Leo’s Senese said. “Working with Marymount, Saint Leo University looks forward to making an even more meaningful impact on Catholic higher education from coast to coast.”
This first merger for Saint Leo is expected to offer many benefits for both institutions, providing students with more degree program options and internship opportunities, around-the-clock support for students studying online, and more university location options to consider attending, among other benefits.
"Working with Saint Leo will allow us to deliver on our mission in even greater ways here in California," said Brian Marcotte, president of Marymount California University. "Our students will still be able to enjoy all the benefits of our beautiful campus, residential villas, athletic programs and more, while having access to significantly expanded academics and new learning opportunities made possible by this partnership. Both institutions share compatible missions and a strong commitment to student success, which can energize us both.”
Following the signed agreement, Saint Leo University will next seek regulatory approvals to move forward with merging Marymount into Saint Leo as one institution. While the two institutions work to develop these plans, an immediate next step will be to work to allow new students at Marymount an immediate opportunity to consider additional degree programs.
Original source can be found here.