Mount Ida College

Mount Ida College was a private nonprofit college located in Newton, Massachusetts. It operated from 1899 to 2018.

History

Mount Ida College was founded in 1899 by George Franklin Jewett as the Mount Ida School for Girls, initially serving as a two-year finishing school for young women. The institution faced significant financial challenges during the Great Depression and closed temporarily. In 1939, it was purchased by William Fitts Carlson and relocated to its current site in the Oak Hill section of Newton.

Over the years, Mount Ida evolved into a junior college, officially offering junior college-level courses in the mid-1900s and becoming a co-educational institution in 1972. In 1982, it began awarding bachelor's degrees with the establishment of its Senior College division. The college became known for its focus on career and professional education, achieving full accreditation for its senior degree programs in 1984.

Expansion and Mergers

Mount Ida College expanded its offerings by merging with several Boston-based institutions, including Chamberlayne Junior College in 1988 and New England Institute of Funeral Service Education in 1989. These mergers enhanced the college's educational portfolio and provided students with a broader range of academic programs.

Closure

Despite efforts to expand and modernize, Mount Ida faced severe financial difficulties in the 2010s. Under the leadership of President Barry Brown, who joined in 2012, the college invested heavily in its campus but struggled with debt. Negotiations for a potential merger with Lasell College began in 2016 but failed in March 2018.

In April 2018, Mount Ida College announced its decision to close permanently at the end of the academic year. This decision was accompanied by an agreement with the University of Massachusetts Amherst to acquire the Newton campus. Students of Mount Ida were offered automatic admission to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, although not all programs were available there. Other institutions, including Newbury College and Keene State College, also offered support for transferring students.

Mount Ida College officially ceased operations on May 17, 2018.

Legacy

After its closure, the campus was renamed the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst. It serves as a center for experiential learning, industry engagement, and academic collaboration, offering specific graduate and undergraduate programs. The acquisition ensured the continuation of educational services on the site while enhancing connections between UMass Amherst and the Greater Boston business community.

Mount Ida's story highlights the challenges faced by small private colleges in maintaining financial sustainability in a rapidly changing higher education landscape.