Join us on Wednesday, April 3, when Manhattanville will celebrate this monumental moment in our history as we officially become “Manhattanville University” and unveil our new signage and branding.
The transformation from College to University marks a significant milestone in Manhattanville’s 182-year history. Much more than a name change, becoming a University acknowledges the breadth and strength of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, which have distinguished Manhattanville for decades. It also bolsters Manhattanville’s reputation for delivering a transformative education, grounded in the liberal arts, which prepares our students to make an impact in the workplace and in their communities.
Please join us in marking this exciting new chapter in Manhattanville’s storied history on April 3 at 12:45pm in Reid Castle Circle.
About Manhattanville
We Are Valiant
Since 1841, Manhattanville College has provided a transformative educational experience. As a private liberal arts institution, Manhattanville roots its education in a rich history of academic excellence and innovative programs. With more than 55 undergraduate programs, 70 graduate programs, and a doctoral program, we empower every student to cultivate their intellectual curiosity, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and strive for a more just world.
Our History and Legacy
Since its origins as a Catholic boarding school to its present day as a non-denominational, co-ed private university, Manhattanville College has evolved to meet the needs of students who seek a more just world. A haven for independent thinking and socially conscious values, our interdisciplinary education is rooted in the liberal arts and experiential learning.
Founded in 1841 in New York City as a boarding school and parochial school for women, Manhattanville College has consistently strived to expand higher education to all sectors of society. Under the visionary leadership of President Grace Dammann, R.S.C.J., Manhattanville College voted to admit African-American students in 1938 and we have continuously worked to create a more inclusive student body. Today, over a third of our students identify as first-generation, and even more consider themselves BIPOC. We are also a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, a reflection of our increasingly diverse community.
We have also grown in other ways. When Manhattanville College officially took over the former estate of diplomat Whitelaw Reid in Westchester in 1952, we cemented our role in the educational development of the region. The U.S. News and World Report named us as the #1 private college for social mobility in New York. Students volunteer over 30,000 hours of community service through the Clark Center for Social Justice. The School of Education offers the highest number of programs and additional support through the Changing Suburbs Institute’s network of Professional Development Schools. Nursing candidates complete clinic hours in local organizations, providing patient-centered care to the area.
We are proof of how academic excellence, a commitment to social justice, and a global outlook can transform students and, by extension, society.
Location
Manhattanville College benefits from both the peaceful beauty of Westchester County and the vibrant, non-stop energy of New York City. The 100-acre campus provides a safe and comfortable environment where every student’s intellectual life can blossom with the unparalleled professional opportunities of a world-class city, only 30 miles away.
Reid Castle, a 19th-century architectural gem, anchors the campus and houses the Welcome Center, Admissions, Financial Aid, and several event spaces. Designed by famed Central Park architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, the picturesque green quad hosts our academic buildings and centers, the college library, four performance facilities, and fifteen new or renovated science and nursing labs.
The campus also boasts two historic chapels. The architect Maya Lin restored one, Lady Chapel, to include a glass roof, located near the new Ohnell Environmental Center, a non-invasive structure that reflects Manhattanville College’s commitment to sustainability. Our newest building, the Richard A. Berman Student Center, received a LEED gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
In addition to our four residence halls and dining hall, students enjoy amenities like a campus market and store and comprehensive athletic facilities, including a fitness center, tennis courts, an ice rink, a baseball and softball field, and an indoor turf facility.
We are a short car, train, or bus ride from New York and the city’s main airports. We are also easily accessible by car from anywhere in the TriState area and can also be reached via the Metro North Railroad from NYC Grand Central Terminal or Westchester’s Bee-Line bus.