SCRANTON, Pa. — Since 1894, Lackawanna College has grown to include nine campuses across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.
Now, that footprint might soon grow even more after the school announced plans to merge with Philadelphia-based Peirce College.
"Pierce College in Philadelphia is mainly focused on adult learners. So they're bringing to us some wonderful programs that they have focused on the workforce in, in Philadelphia. Of course, we're focused on the workforce here in Northeastern and central Pennsylvania. So we just expand our offerings," said President Jill Murray, Lackawanna College.
Lackawanna College President Jill Murray says if approved, the merger would mean taking over both Pierce's online and in-person programs.
She estimates an increase of enrollment of more than 1,400 students making Lackawanna College the largest open enrollment private, nonprofit institution in the Commonwealth.
"We also now will have master's degrees. So our students can go from pre-college programs and dual enrollment and level up through associate bachelor's and now master's degrees. So, it's incredibly exciting for our students and for our alumni," said Murray.
At a time when many higher education institutions are shutting down, Murray says Lackawanna College is more than prepared to make the move, "The things that we put in place today have been in the planning stages for five years. Right. This is not, this is not something that's new. We've talked about this merger and others like it for a couple of years. So we, we try to stay ahead of the game."
To continue offering an education that so many students already rely on.
"Our students, for the most part, are from here. They're going to stay here. And so all of the places that, you know, that hire our students want them because they know they're gonna be here," said Murray.
When the merger is complete by sometime next year, Peirce will merge into Lackawanna, becoming a singular institution under the Lackawanna College name.