This story is part of the QCBJ’s annual Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s staff includes some of the biggest stories we brought you during 2024. Each story also includes an update on the subject. Excerpts from the original stories as well as the new updates appeared in print in our Monday, Dec. 23 edition.
The initial story was published in May of 2024.
Two months after St. Ambrose University in Davenport and Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids first announced their plans for a “strategic combination,” the universities made it official at a ceremonial signing.
On Aug. 1, the college presidents gathered with faculty, staff and students on the Mount Mercy campus to sign the combination plan documents. Leaders said the “milestone” combination plan continues to move forward.
“We will continue to have a distinct Mount Mercy campus experience here with academic programs on this campus, offerings on this campus, and perhaps expanded sets of graduate offerings, expanded opportunities and co-curricular areas,” St. Ambrose President Amy Novak said. She added that both campuses will retain their respective mascots and “probably” continue competing in athletics.
In fact, Mount Mercy announced in early October that it is adding football to its list of athletic programs, with competition expected to begin in the fall of 2026.
Ms. Novak added that the two universities will be able to complement each other’s programs. Mount Mercy boasts strong graduate programs in nursing, education, and therapy, while St. Ambrose offers more than 10 distinct graduate programs in occupational therapy, public health, social work, and physician assistant studies.
If the original timeline holds, initial approvals are expected in the spring of 2025, followed by a “transition period” required by the U.S. Department of Education. During that time, St. Ambrose will continue to operate Mount Mercy as a separate university, maintaining its own degree authorization, accreditation, and federal student financial aid participation.
By mid-2026, that transition period should wrap up, leading to the full integration of the two universities under St. Ambrose. Both campuses will keep their unique educational programs, educational offerings and intercollegiate athletic programs. The Mount Mercy name will live on as the Mount Mercy Campus of St. Ambrose University.
