May 6, 2024

St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University Announce Plans to Consider Strategic Combination; New Agreement Signed to Expand Course Options for Students at Both Catholic Universities

The presidents of St. Ambrose University and Mount Mercy University are pleased to announce the signing of a new joint agreement as they consider the potential for a path-breaking and innovative strategic combination. The immediate agreement allows students to take a range of courses from either university, whether in-person, or in a hybrid or online format beginning in fall 2024. 

This arrangement, which was approved by each university’s board of trustees, will lead to more pathways for students at both institutions. The two universities are also in the process of finalizing a second agreement that will facilitate the seamless transition of qualified students from undergraduate into graduate degree programs. Collectively this includes pathways into eighteen separate graduate programs as well as a variety of certificate and degree completion programs for adult learners. 

“This deepened collaboration lays the foundation for a new model of Catholic higher education. The expanded pathways that this collaboration provides for our students and our communities will be groundbreaking.”
– Dr. Todd A. Olson,
   President of Mount Mercy University

“In the current higher education environment, this type of work represents a bold and proactive approach to capitalize on the current academic and financial strength of both Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose,” says Dr. Amy Novak, president of St. Ambrose University. “Currently, both universities boast a number of strong financial indicators. This joint work promises to strengthen our collective ability to innovate and grow as vibrant, values-based leaders in our marketplace.”

“This deepened collaboration lays the foundation for a new model of Catholic higher education. The expanded pathways that this collaboration provides for our students and our communities will be groundbreaking,” says Dr. Todd A. Olson, president of Mount Mercy University.

For more than a year, the two institutions have been discussing opportunities to collaborate in an effort to increase affordability and access to quality education for traditional students and adult learners alike. Anticipated student benefits include: 

  • The potential to reduce time to degree completion. 
  • Expanded opportunities to move seamlessly from undergraduate programs into graduate programs in healthcare, engineering, marriage and family therapy, social work, public health, education, and business. 
  • A strengthened core curriculum focused on holistic formation, and the development of ethical decision-making frameworks grounded in the Catholic tradition of both universities.
  • New opportunities for adult learners to complete degrees, obtain certificates, and upskill themselves to be more competitive in the labor market. 
  • New benefits and possibilities for the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids communities.

 

A panel speaks to Mount Mercy University employees—Dr. Tom Castle (Provost, Mount Mercy), Dr. Todd A. Olson (President, Mount Mercy), Dr. Amy Novak (President, St. Ambrose), and Dr. Joseph Roidt (Provost, St. Ambrose).
A panel of Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose officialsl
President Amy Novak of St. Ambrose and President Todd A. Olson of Mount Mercy shake hands.
Presidents Novak and Olson shaking hands

The two nonprofit universities remain focused on long-term sustainability and corresponding efforts to control the cost of higher education and to increase student access. Through exploration of a strategic combination, the presidents say there could be opportunities to leverage shared administrative functions and economies of scale to achieve cost savings and more efficient operations. 

“We have seen great collaboration between our two universities in recent years,” says Olson. “We both strongly value our students, our communities, and our missions, and have seen the results that can come from expanding opportunities with other like-minded institutions. We must remain innovative in the current higher education landscape and be proactive in our learner-centered approaches, rather than waiting to see what happens.”

Father Dennis Holtschneider and Dr. Donna M. Carroll, co-presidents for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, agree, noting that this is precisely the type of proactive activity they have been encouraging colleges to explore. “We know these are challenging times for our colleges and universities,” says Carroll. “We fully support the work St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy are doing to lead the way in creating a leading-edge, responsive and sustainable future for Catholic higher education.”

The two universities plan to expand conversations toward a potential strategic combination in the coming months, ensuring that all actions are conducted with appropriate due diligence and subject to all applicable regulatory and accrediting agency requirements.

Learn more about the agreement and frequently asked questions.

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