Recent Publications
The Small College Imperative: Models for a Sustainable Future
With costs rising, traditional college student populations shrinking, and pundits predicting that huge numbers of colleges will close in the next few decades, small colleges cannot afford to pretend that business-as-usual can sustain them. This book offers five emerging models for how small colleges can hope to survive and thrive in these very challenging times: Traditional; Integrative; Distinctive Program; Expansion, and Distributed. In addition to offering practical guidance for colleges trying to decide which model is for them, the book includes brief institutional profiles of colleges pursuing each model. The book also addresses the evolving role of consortia and partnerships as an avenue to provide additional innovative ways to manage cost and develop new opportunities and programs while maintaining fidelity to mission and strategic vision.
Mary B. Marcy, Stylus Publishing, 2020
Don't sound the death knell for small liberal arts colleges just yet.
President Marcy outlines her new research on promising approaches to survival.
Higher Ed Dive
Recent Media
Two Universities Team Up to Stay Alive, But Stop Short of Merging
Two private universities are trying an unusual partnership approach that stops short of a merger while still aiming to restore financial health.
EdSurge
The Exit Interview: Nine departing presidents on how the job — and higher ed — is changing.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Edge: Your Ideas for Education Philanthropists' Next Bets
Senior Writer Goldie Blumenstyk speaks with Mary B. Marcy about the future of philanthropy in higher education.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Plan for College Budgets Next Year? Improvise
At the near outset of the pandemic, revenues are uncertain. Adapting is costly.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
New Book Suggests Big Changes for Small Colleges
Story about Mary B. Marcy's new book "The Small College Imperative" and adapting to economic pressures and demographic changes in higher education.
Ed Surge
As the Coronavirus Scrambles Colleges’ Finances, Leaders Hope for the Best and Plan for the Worst
Dominican President Mary B. Marcy discusses the challenges nationwide related to the COVID-19 pandemic and higher education.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Small Colleges
Mary B. Marcy talks to Rick Seltzer of Inside Higher Ed about the challenges small colleges are facing during the pandemic, as well as opportunities for innovation and survival.
The Long View
The cumulative toll of events over the early months of the pandemic are undeniable, writes Mary B. Marcy, but we in higher education must reaffirm our enduring purpose.
Inside Higher Ed
Exploring Future Models for Independent Colleges
Mary B. Marcy discusses her book “The Small College Imperative,” educational equality, and the economic health of small colleges.
Inside Higher Ed
A Year of Chaos and Flexibility
President Mary Marcy talks about alternative plans to recruit high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inside Higher Ed
What Happens When Women Run Colleges?
Democratic, communal, inclusive. That may be the future of college leadership.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Recruiting Slump Bumps US Private Colleges into ‘Market Shakeout’.
List of universities closing down predicted to grow rapidly.
Times (UK) Higher Education
5 Paths for Small Colleges
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Meeting New Challenges of Higher Education
Los Angeles Daily News
As Small Colleges are Closing, Some are Fighting Back
WGBH
Can a Signature Program Save your College?
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Long View
The cumulative toll of events over the last few months is undeniable, writes Mary B. Marcy, but we in higher education must reaffirm our enduring purpose.
Inside Higher Ed
A Decade of Innovation: Mary B. Marcy announces Retirement
Mary B. Marcy talks about her decision to step down after a decade as Dominican's president and passing her baton to a successor.
Inside Higher Ed
Colleges Need to Rethink Their Market — and Maybe Their Mission
President Mary Marcy discusses Dominican's partnership with Make School as a way for colleges to innovate and rethink their market.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
College and Coding Boot Camp Find a Way to Team Up
The Wall Street Journal
To Survive, Small Colleges are Rethinking the Liberal Arts
As higher ed consolidates, these institutions are restructuring curriculum, campuses and even tuition to help them stand out.
Education Dive
How a College and Coding School are Partnering to Bring New Courses to Campus
Education Dive
Can Tech and the Humanities Exist Side by Side? Can They Afford Not to?
The Washington Post
Code Switch
A coding boot camp and a liberal arts university share instructors and accreditation to create a new computer science degree, aimed at making graduates of both institutions more employable.
Inside Higher Ed
University Launches Degree Program Pairing Liberal Arts with Computer Science
Campus Technology
Can Higher Ed Sell Students on Public Service?
Dominican President Mary Marcy and California Chief Service Officer Josh Friday discuss Civic Action Fellowship program.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Getting Students to Give Back
Story examines Civic Action Fellowship, a pilot program inspired by Dominican and City of Novato to pay students to participate in public service
Inside Higher Ed
A Partnership to Promote Public Service
The Marin Independent Journal
Non-Cynical Millennials Have Something to Say This Election
Huffington Post
Politically Engaged Millennials? Not an Oxymoron
Initiative led by Dominican University of California brings students from scores of campuses together to craft questions for the presidential debates. Now they're focused on encouraging their peers to vote.
Inside Higher Ed
College Debate Empowers Students to Ask Presidential Debate Questions
USA Today College