As we officially begin our institution's exciting new chapter as Siena University, we know there are lots of questions about what to update, when to update it, and how to handle the details of the transition.
First, a note of reassurance: we don’t expect everything to change overnight. This is a big shift, and while some updates are urgent and are being worked on at the institutional level, others can happen over time.
General Guidance
- Update digital first: Prioritize updating digital materials, especially those that are external-facing or reach the largest audiences (website, email signatures, presentations, social media).
- Use what you have: If you still have printed materials or supplies that say “Siena College,” use them until they run out. Moving forward, use the updated templates and assets in our Design Center.
- Always use 'Siena' or Siena University' going forward. In all new materials and communications, reference the institution as Siena or Siena University. Remember that “Siena” is our brand, and our visual identity remains the same. The word “university” does not appear in our logo.
KEY FAQs
Our Transitioning to University Webpage includes many helpful resources to help you communicate this exciting new chapter for our institution. Be sure to share that while our name is now Siena University, our mission, values, and Franciscan tradition remain the same.
For alumni, new diplomas with Siena University will not be issued if Siena College was the official institution at the time of graduation; the original diploma is accurate. We must ensure that official documents reflect the name of the institution at the time a degree was conferred.
All official transcripts will now read Siena University with a footnote explaining the name change and indicating its date. This ensures continuity and clarity for graduate programs and employers. For alumni, their degrees remain valid and are now considered Siena University degrees.
We recommend alumni and employees update their resumes to list “Siena University (formerly Siena College)” for any time prior to the transition. For current employment, just list Siena University. Our systems, including Sedona, have been updated to list “Siena University (formerly Siena College)” to help employers match records and reference checks.
Not all at once. Prioritize any contracts or agreements going out to external partners and anything with a public-facing audience. Internal policies can be updated on their normal review cycles unless they’re actively being distributed externally.
Historical materials with the Siena College name are part of our story and should be preserved, not discarded. Whether material is considered archival is based on business or legal value, informational value, intrinsic values, uniqueness and scarcity, and age and historical context. More information about this can be found here.
If you have items that you believe have archival or historical significance, please contact the Library/Archives librarian (Sean Conley, sconley@siena.edu) to determine whether they should be saved.
No. “Siena” is our brand, and our visual identity remains the same. The word “University” does not appear in our logo.
Please continue to use generic “Siena” items. However, anything that still says “Siena College” should no longer be used for official purposes. We stopped using “College” in our visual identity many years ago, so those items are now outdated.
The Big Picture
We are building on our strong foundation and moving forward together as Siena University. This transition will take time, and that’s okay. The most important thing is that we are consistent going forward and present a clear, unified message: Siena is thriving, growing, and ready for what’s next.
If you have a question that’s not covered here, email the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at communications@siena.edu.
Thank you for everything you do to make Siena strong. This is a historic moment for our community, and your care and attention are what will make this transition successful.