After more than 55 years since it was founded in 1964, Pleasant Hill’s JFK University will be closing its doors, this year due to the changes in higher education to more online learning.
In a letter issued on April 30 JFKU’s Acting President Dr. Thomas Stewart and Board Chair Michael McGill wrote:
“Dear East Bay Community
After careful consideration, the John F. Kennedy Board of Trustees has determined that the best course of action for our programs, students, and our service to the East Bay Community is to transfer almost all of its programs to other universities within the National University System (NUS) beginning in July and close the university by December 31, 2020.
This decision to close the university was difficult as JFKU has been an integral part of the East Bay community for over half a century and many of our 45,000 plus alumni still work here. However, the higher education landscape in our country is changing. More and more students, particularly the adult learners that we serve, seek flexible and affordable online educational opportunities that allows them to learn wherever and whenever they want to fit their busy schedules. We all are being challenged to adapt to meet those needs.
The majority of JFKU’s programs will be adopted by National University or Northcentral University. Specifically:
- JFKU’s graduate psychology programs will be integrated as degree offerings at National University.
- The JFKU College of Law—including the JD, BA and Paralegal Certificate Programs—will move to Northcentral University and carry on its name as the JFK School of Law at NCU.
- JFKU’s undergraduate programs in psychology and management, currently offered through FlexCourse, will be continued and adopted by NCU.
Most programs will now be offered online and will continue to be available to students in the East Bay area. The transfer of programs is part of broader vision and reorganization of NUS to create a more cohesive system that offers efficient pathway for working adults to complete high‐quality, low‐cost degrees.
We will be focusing all our resources on helping current students complete their degrees over the coming months. Many of our students will join the JFKU alumni community who continue to spread the ideals and values of JFKU. The university’s legacy lives on in them.
John F. Kennedy University thanks its entire community of organizational partners that have welcomed and supported our students. We also thank our community of faculty, staff, students and alumni for the privilege of being part of an institution that continues to live on through our programs, and through the impacts of our alumni in the communities they serve.
If you have further questions regarding this transition, please do not hesitate to reach out to Solomon Belette at sbelette@jfku.edu.”
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Stewart, Acting President
Michael McGill, Board Chair
John F. Kennedy University John F. Kennedy University
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