The 128 Core Partners Comprehensive Plan

As you know, Saint Joseph’s College voluntarily suspended both its accreditation and operations in 2017 in the face of lagging enrollment and debt. The College wound down operations as responsibly as possible: finishing out the school year; graduating seniors; helping students transfer; as well as covering severance, salaries, and benefits for employees. 

In addition, the College has reached settlements with debt holders to resolve its outstanding obligations, developed a new Board of Trustees, reduced ongoing expenses, and continues to maintain the campus. 

It’s been a busy couple years, to say the least, and now it’s time to look ahead.

The Saint Joseph’s College Board of Trustees approved an ambitious three-year plan—based on sound financial principles—that’s aimed at bringing life back to campus. Since regaining our accreditation is the single biggest hurdle standing in the way of “normalizing” academic programming on the Rensselaer campus, a bold, innovative, and forward-thinking approach is necessary to jump-start that process.

This is a two-pronged approach that sees Saint Joseph’s College partnering with peer institutions to develop the Saint Joseph’s University Center, along with founding the Saint Joseph’s Career College, both housed on the Rensselaer campus.

The University Center will be focused on offering degree-centered programs. This will start with a two-year associate degree Anchor Program that can either stand on its own, funnel into a bachelor’s degree at Saint Joe’s, or transfer out to one of our Partner Institutions. We hope to start offering these courses with our University Partner(s) in the Fall of 2021, with plans to expand the offerings with a four-year bachelor’s program in the Fall of 2023.

The Career College will be focused on offering non-degree professional certifications. Saint Joseph’s College is already State-approved to offer Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Electrocardiogram (CET), and Phlebotomy (CPT) certifications.  Currently, CCMA qualifies for the State of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs program.  If a person qualifies for the Next Level Jobs program, the State of Indiana will pay the tuition cost. We plan to start offering these courses in the Spring of 2020.  

The University Center and Career College will let Saint Joseph’s College bring academic life back to the Rensselaer campus by allowing us to offer courses taught by our Partner Institutions under their accreditation umbrella. This will provide the groundwork and generate the income necessary to apply for Accreditation Eligibility Status in Spring 2024. In all cases, academic majors and professional certifications will be based on community need and interest. 

We invite you to join us on this exciting journey as we work together to bring the Saint Joseph’s College mission into the 21st century: serving an underserved and diverse student body who will thrive in the inclusive Saint Joe’s community.

With great hope and excitement about our future,

The Saint Joseph’s College Board of Trustees