91�ȱ�

Bay Path University to acquire 91�ȱ�

(Longmeadow MA and Boston MA) Today the Boards of Bay Path University and 91�ȱ� announced that Bay Path has entered into a formal agreement to acquire 91�ȱ�.  This transformative move reflects a strategic focus by both institutions on planning for future success providing career-focused education models to a diverse student population.

“The determination and spirit that have guided Bay Path for 127 years pave the way for this next phase in our evolution.  We look forward to working with 91�ȱ� to meet student needs with innovation, market-responsiveness, and bold action,” said Sandra J. Doran, JD, president of Bay Path University.

91�ȱ�, a Boston-based private, nonprofit institution established in 1971, is a leader in providing affordable career-oriented education to a diverse population of adult learners.

“In planning for the future, 91�ȱ�’s board and leadership recognized that a larger platform and a like-minded partner would give us the greatest opportunity to advance our mission.  Bay Path University is uniquely suited to integrate 91�ȱ�’s programs and serve our non-traditional student body. We are excited to come together in a partnership that will provide a promising path forward and a seamless transition for students,” said Dr. Stephen Healey, interim president of 91�ȱ�.

Bay Path University and 91�ȱ� began discussions about a possible relationship in late summer 2023. Bay Path and 91�ȱ� based their decision to join together on the shared mission of the two institutions. “The promise that both our institutions make to our students is that their dreams of a better career, a richer life, and a brighter future will be realized. Bay Path and 91�ȱ� share core values of access, innovation, excellence, diversity, and collaboration. This relationship will enable us to build upon one another’s strengths. We will be better and stronger together,” said Doran and Healey.

“Both Bay Path and 91�ȱ� share a reputation for providing transformative education by responding to changes in the workforce development needs of the region and creating positive economic opportunities for our graduates. Bringing together Bay Path’s depth and breadth of undergraduate and graduate programs with 91�ȱ�’s extensive network of programs and partners in eastern Massachusetts creates tremendous opportunities for our students today and far into the future,” said Doran.

The two institutions have shared their plans and the greater opportunity created by a combined organization with both the Commonwealth’s Department of Higher Education, which has regulatory purview over both Bay Path and Cambridge, and the New England Commission of Higher Education, which accredits both institutions. Both organizations will be working with Bay Path and Cambridge to ensure the process to combine the institutions meets their respective standards and regulatory requirements.

Throughout this transition continuity of student experience is a priority for both 91�ȱ� and Bay Path.  Between now and the time that the two institutions are fully integrated (through at least the summer of 2025), we anticipate that programs at 91�ȱ� will continue at the same cost (maintaining 91�ȱ�’s tuition and fees) and students completing their programs will receive degrees awarded by 91�ȱ�.  We also anticipate new opportunities to access additional Bay Path programs beginning as early as this summer.  Following receipt of regulatory approvals, 91�ȱ� would be fully integrated into Bay Path University, at which time all 91�ȱ� students would become students of Bay Path University.

“The Department of Higher Education (DHE) commends 91�ȱ� and Bay Path for coming together to join their two institutions in a way that prioritizes students,” said Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “In any college transition, such as the affiliation announced by 91�ȱ� and Bay Path,  DHE’s top priority is to ensure that students are informed of changes as soon as possible and have ample time to either earn a degree from the institution at which they started or make informed decisions about transferring. The leaders of both institutions have shown a commitment to a smooth transition for current 91�ȱ� students that gives us confidence that degree completion for these students will continue to be prioritized.” 

The acquisition of 91�ȱ�, , will nearly double the number of students served by Bay Path and bring total enrollment to over 5,000, including a growing number of international students. The University’s business-to-business strategy will also be strengthened. Since 2020, Cambridge has been providing educational solutions throughout eastern Massachusetts to businesses and nonprofit organizations as part of its acquisition of the New England College of Business, now known as CC Global, reflecting its commitment to workforce development. Bay Path, through its Office of Partnership Development, provides learning solutions to a growing portfolio of businesses and organizations, including Denny’s Corporation, Baystate Health, and PeoplesBank.

The geographies served by Bay Path will also expand to include Cambridge’s eastern Massachusetts location as well as its growing Puerto Rico location. Opened in downtown San Juan over twenty years ago, the campus provides graduate programs in business and technology as well as education and counseling to working professionals.

Bay Path currently operates two locations: its Longmeadow, MA campus which serves women at the undergraduate level, and the state-of-the-art Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center in East Longmeadow, MA which provides graduate degrees in education, healthcare, and psychology.  The University also grants undergraduate degrees online through The American Women’s College, recently ranked by Forbes as one of the top three online women’s colleges in the nation.

Bay Path’s acquisition of 91�ȱ� is likely to be complete in June 2024. Full integration of 91�ȱ� into Bay Path will take 18 to 24 months, pending a series of approvals by accreditors and appropriate state and federal regulators.  

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Media Contacts

Bay Path University

Kathleen Bourque
413-565-1320
kbourque@baypath.edu 

91�ȱ�

Diana C. Pisciotta
617-784-5256
dpisciotta@denterlein.com