After more than a century of educating students in Adrian, Michigan, Siena Heights University announced on Monday, June 30, 2025, that it will close its doors permanently at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. This decision comes amid mounting financial difficulties, operational challenges, and concerns over the institution's long-term sustainability, marking the end of an era for the private Catholic university founded in 1919 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
University President Dr. Douglas B. Palmer conveyed the bittersweet news with a heartfelt statement, saying, "For 105 years, Siena Heights University has been a beacon of light in a world sometimes cast in darkness. The spirit of Siena Heights will continue long after the institution itself closes its doors because it lives in every graduate, faculty member, and staff person who has been on campus – whether in-person or online." His words underscored the enduring legacy of the university despite the closure.
The decision to close was made with the full support of the Board of Trustees and the General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, the religious sponsors of the institution. Leadership conducted a thorough assessment of the university's financial situation and operational challenges, ultimately concluding that continuing operations beyond the 2025-2026 academic year was no longer feasible.
Siena Heights University has a rich history. Originally founded as St. Joseph’s College for Women in 1919, it was renamed Siena Heights College in 1939 in honor of St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Dominican nun. The school became coeducational in 1969 and gained university status in 1998. Over the years, it expanded its academic offerings to include associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees across various fields such as accounting, criminal justice, elementary education, mathematics, and religious studies.
The university's athletic teams, known as the Saints, competed in sports like cross-country, volleyball, and soccer. Its main campus in Adrian was complemented by degree completion centers in Dearborn, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Jackson, as well as a robust online education program. In the 2023-2024 academic year, Siena Heights served approximately 2,300 students, with over 90 percent receiving some form of financial aid.
Despite a record-setting incoming class in 2024, which included 445 new students at the Adrian campus and more than 100 students benefiting from the Brain Gain Program—a tuition-free initiative aimed at keeping Michigan high school graduates in-state—the university struggled with budgetary setbacks. These financial pressures, combined with demographic shifts leading to fewer college-age students in the Midwest, created a challenging environment for Siena Heights and many similar small liberal arts colleges nationwide.
Adding to the university's difficulties, a lawsuit filed in April 2025 by former Chief Financial Officer Debi Andrews alleges wrongful termination and raises concerns about financial misconduct within the institution. Andrews claims she was fired in August 2024 after encouraging a coworker to file a sexual discrimination complaint against President Palmer and for refusing to participate in alleged fraudulent activities, including improper check requests and mislabeling of expenses. Siena Heights University responded by affirming its commitment to a safe and accountable work environment but declined to discuss specifics due to ongoing litigation.
In light of the closure, Siena Heights University has prioritized minimizing disruption for current students. The administration is actively working with partner institutions to establish transfer pathways that allow students to continue their education with full credit transfer. Faculty and staff will receive transition assistance to support them through this period.
President Palmer emphasized the university's commitment to providing a full and vibrant final academic year. "We look ahead to the next academic year planning all the activities one would normally get including athletics, residential life, and great events that we share with our alumni and entire community," he said. The university intends to maintain its academic programs, support services, extracurricular activities, and athletics through the 2025-2026 year.
The General Council of the Adrian Dominican Sisters expressed their sorrow over the closure but acknowledged the difficult necessity of the decision. They highlighted Siena Heights' mission to provide a values-based education to a diverse student body and lamented the cultural and economic loss the closure represents for Lenawee County and the surrounding region.
"It breaks our hearts to join in the wise but painful decision of the University Board of Trustees to close our beloved Siena Heights University at the end of the 2026 academic year," the Sisters stated. They assured the community that every effort would be made to support students, faculty, and staff during the transition and to ensure a vibrant final year, especially for the graduating class of 2026.
Local institutions have also responded to the news. Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking expressed solidarity and offered assistance, stating, "While our institutions have maintained distinct identities, we have long shared a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. Over the years, Adrian College and Siena Heights University have partnered on numerous initiatives in service to our city, our region, and the greater good. These collaborations have enriched our institutions and strengthened our community." He pledged that Adrian College stands ready to help students, faculty, and staff navigate the coming months.
Walsh University similarly announced it would extend automatic acceptance and guarantee a financial aid package matching to all Siena Heights students, underscoring the regional commitment to ensuring educational continuity for those affected.
As Siena Heights University prepares for its final academic year, the focus remains on honoring its 105-year legacy, supporting its community, and facilitating smooth transitions. The university's closure reflects broader challenges faced by small private colleges across the nation, including demographic shifts, rising costs, and increased competition for students. Yet, as President Palmer noted, the spirit of Siena Heights will endure in the lives of its graduates, faculty, and staff, continuing to make an impact long after the campus doors close.
