The Urban College of Boston is a small institution providing educational pathways to populations for whom those opportunities might otherwise not be available. The College serves a diverse, primarily first-generation, student body with an average age of 37. Over 90% of students are women and the great majority work while engaged in their studies. The College has a primary focus on programs that lead directly into the workforce. For most Urban College students, English is a second language, and the College offers courses in Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese (in addition to English), allowing students to gain substantive knowledge in their chosen fields and, at the same time, attain English language proficiency. Because of its small size and limited financial resources, Urban College had for many years been unable to expand its programs to meet evolving workforce needs, and had been sharply constrained from investing in needed improvements to its technology infrastructure. These challenges were exacerbated during the pandemic when the College was forced to convert in a matter of weeks from a completely brick-and-mortar institution to an entirely online teaching platform.
By 2021, Urban College concluded that future growth, strengthening of student services and outcomes, and necessary infrastructure enhancements would be possible only if it could find a strategic partner. At the same time, Urban College would only affiliate with another institution if that process allowed it to preserve and strengthen its mission and its ties to the communities it serves. To that end, an affiliation would be successful only if Urban College retained direct responsibility for its academic programming, administrative operations and governance structures, its faculty, staff and leadership team, and the success of its students. Accordingly, while an affiliation offered significant opportunities for the College and its students, finding the right strategic partner was essential.
With TPF’s support, Urban College was able to identify a potential strategic partner, an online university which shared the College’s mission and was willing to offer access to critically needed technology resources as well as assistance and counsel on a broad range of operational and programmatic issues. In 2022, the two institutions negotiated and entered into an affiliation agreement, which was approved by state and federal regulators and the College’s accrediting body. Since then, Urban College has been able to expand programming, enhance student services, improve student outcomes and invest in 21st century technology.
One substantial hurdle to a strategic partnership can be the expense of engaging outside experts (such as business consultants and attorneys) at a time when an institution is already facing financial challenges. Another roadblock can be the sense that even exploring a strategic partnership may generate a negative public perception of the organization. TPF helped UCB overcome both of those concerns, by underwriting a business consultant’s facilitation of confidential discussions between the College and two other institutions identified by TPF as possible strategic partners. These initial talks helped UCB develop a clearer sense of its strategic needs and opportunities and prepared the College for discussions leading to its ultimate affiliation. Those discussions were supported by a second TPF grant, which defrayed the additional costs of outside experts. TPF’s financial support and encouragement were critical to creating and sustaining the momentum that has carried UCB and its students to a more promising future.
To inquire about a grant or discuss the specifics of your situation, click here. For general information, contact us via the form below, or call (844) 869-7842 ext. 1.
If you’d like to receive communications about higher education partnerships, please fill out the form below.