Siena’s formal request to change its name was granted by the New York State Board of Regents at its July meeting. The transition will be completed this summer, and when Saints return in the fall, they will officially be welcomed to Siena University!
On September 18, the entire community – including alumni and friends – is invited to celebrate this historic moment. Please Save the Date for an event unlike any other in our institution’s history, as we honor our liberal arts and Franciscan heritage and boldly embrace our future.
Approval by the Board of Regents was preceded by a historic vote on June 6 that took place following months of conversation, deep reflection, and shared hope for Siena’s future. President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D., recorded a message for the community following the vote.
Over the past 10 years, Siena has robustly expanded its academic offerings, and as we continue to do so – with a particular emphasis on strengthening our graduate programs – we were presented with a strategic opportunity to amplify our mission.
Siena’s Education for a Lifetime – rooted in our Franciscan values and tradition – delivers a transformative experience powered by a liberal arts advantage. Our mission and soul will never change, but as we have done throughout our history, it is important to evolve.
In 2022, New York State revised its definition of a university, and with the approval of our new Master of Social Work program, Siena now meets the updated criteria. Research suggests that becoming a university can enhance Siena’s prestige, raise demand, and strengthen our reputation.
“This is an exciting new chapter for Siena," said Tom Baldwin '81, Chair of Siena's Board of Trustees. "At a time when higher education is under pressure, Siena is choosing to invest, to lead, and to rise. The Board’s vote to transition to Siena University reflects the momentum we’ve built and the strength of our mission. It is not a change in who we are but a bold step forward in who we are becoming. I’m proud of this decision, confident in our direction, and inspired by what this moment means for our future.”
In Their Own Words: The University Transition
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This isn’t a vision for the future. This is Siena now. This moment isn’t about becoming something we’re not. It’s about making sure our name reflects who we’ve become and where we’re going.
Reputation – Research shows that the term "university" carries more prestige and conveys more opportunity among students, families and employers.
Positioning – The term university more accurately reflects the breadth of Siena’s current academic offerings, especially in terms of graduate programs. About 40% of Saints are in majors that didn’t exist a decade ago, and our graduate offerings have more than tripled in the last 3 years.
Demand – Research shows a name change as part of a broader strategy - like the one Siena is pursuing - can strengthen demand and our position in the competitive set. Among Siena’s top-ten cross-admit institutions, all are universities. Of the 32 Franciscan colleges and universities, 18 hold university status. In the Northeast, 34 of the top 46 Catholic institutions are universities. And within the MAAC, 11 of the 13 schools are universities.
Vision – This is an opportunity to accelerate our strategic vision: to be high demand and nationally recognized for the dynamic and extraordinary experiences that define our Education for a Lifetime. Siena is investing like never before in infrastructure, programs, the student experience and to reach new audiences.
In 2022, New York State changed its definition of a university to align itself with national norms: A higher education institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in various academic disciplines. With the State approval of our MSW, Siena meets that bar. We will soon be operating at the level of a university.
No, not at all. Our mission and values—the heart of what makes Siena, Siena—remain unchanged.
Think back to your first days here. Whether that was 30 years ago or 30 days ago, what likely resonated most wasn’t a name, but a feeling: the people, the care, the sense of belonging, and the deeper purpose that grounds our Franciscan tradition. That’s what defines us. And that’s what stays constant.
What has changed is nearly everything else. We’ve added more than 30 new academic programs. Forty percent of our students are now in majors that didn’t exist a decade ago. Our graduate programs are growing rapidly. We’ve opened new buildings, enhanced student services, and invested in every part of the Siena experience.
This moment isn’t about changing who we are—it’s about accurately reflecting who we’ve become and where we’re going. Becoming a university aligns with our mission and the strategic plan we’ve been actively pursuing. It’s not a new direction. It’s the natural next step in the evolution of a college that’s always been rooted in something deeper.
With a shrinking pool of traditional undergraduate prospects in the Northeast, diversifying enrollment by adding more graduate programs is essential. A university designation supports this effort.
Siena’s strategic vision is to increase demand while maintaining undergraduate enrollment and growing graduate enrollment.
For Siena, recent branding efforts emphasizing “Siena” rather than “Siena College” significantly reduce the costs.
Updated signage, materials, and trademarks are estimated to cost $75,000–$100,000, with primary expenses attributed to revisions on the front of Siena Hall, two brick campus entryway signs, the Route 9 campus message board and the large sign on the side of the UHY Center.
Siena has been increasing its investment in marketing to strengthen our reputation and a transition to university could present an opportunity to accelerate those efforts.
While it is not part of our current strategy to grow international enrollment, the word university is better recognized across the world. This transition would strengthen current and future efforts to engage in global partnerships.
Shared Governance is an integral part of the Siena community and the following groups are being engaged in the process: Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, students, friars, alumni and donors.
The Board of Trustees plans to vote on the decision at their meeting in June and ultimately decide whether to adopt the Siena University name change.
WHITE PAPER
The White Paper exploring a name change and transition in status – including potential benefits and concerns – is below.
working TIMELINE
NEXT STEPS
Explore the timeline to see where we've been and what led up to this change.
FEEDBACK
Every community member was encouraged to complete a very brief (two-three minutes) survey about exploring the transition to university status. Every perspective was incredibly valuable and greatly appreciated. This information was shared with the Board of Trustees to inform their final decision