In the 1960s, when women were excluded from many of the nation’s elite institutions of higher education, there were hundreds of women’s colleges in the United States. By the mid-1980s, the number of women’s colleges had been reduced by 50 percent. Today, fewer than 40 remain.
Notre Dame of Maryland University has announced that it will transition to a fully co-educational institution for the fall of 2023. Founded in 1895 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the college made its first inroads into co-education by establishing a weekend college for both men and women. The university offers a wide range of graduate programs, which are open to men.
The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that the university enrolls just over 800 undergraduate students and nearly 1,400 graduate students.
“The Board recognized that in order for NDMU to flourish for years to come, we needed to expand our mission to admit women and men who want a co-ed college experience,” said Patricia McLaughlin, chair of the board of trustees. “NDMU will continue to educate women and men together to make a difference in the world.”
“By going co-ed, Notre Dame of Maryland University is uniquely positioned to deliver on its mission to advance inclusive and transformational education to more women and men and to equip them to realize their goal of attaining a college degree,” added Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University.
The university will continue to promote the advancement of women by offering the IMPRINT leadership development program and the Women’s Leadership Institute of Baltimore.