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Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« and St. Augustine College Merger Finalized

The U.S. Department of Education notified  on September 18 that the change in ownership of  to Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« has been formally approved. This marks the final major step in the merger process, which began on December 1, 2023, when Lewis legally acquired St. Augustine College.

“With this milestone achieved, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« and St. Augustine College are now officially unified as one institution. This significant accomplishment enables us to move forward with greater efficiency and purpose as we work to expand access and educational opportunities for Chicago’s Spanish-speaking community and the many other students St. Augustine College has served so well since its founding in 1980,” said Dr. David Livingston, Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« president.

The joining of both schools is centered around a shared mission to expand access and opportunity for students who are often underrepresented and underserved in traditional higher education. 

“Our two institutions are well-matched in mission and values,” Livingston continued. “We fill a unique niche within higher education, serving students from all walks of life with affordable programs that deliver a liberal arts core and an emphasis on career and workforce preparation.”

With this unified future, St. Augustine aligns with the Lasallian global network, one of the largest Catholic education networks in the world and one of the largest Catholic higher education networks in the United States.  

The merger builds on the legacies of both institutions – each established to meet the needs of underserved communities – providing education as a life-changing pathway to expanded opportunity. In a unified university, more degree programs than ever before will be at the forefront of an expanded bilingual educational experience. Students are expected to be able to attend courses in bilingual format at urban or suburban locations. 

Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ« is a modern, enterprising, Catholic university with a growing student enrollment from GED through doctoral level programs. As part of the global Lasallian network of 65 universities, Lewis is known for preparing graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.