Eastern Nazarene College and Trevecca Nazarene University have begun exploring a partnership aimed at strengthening the institutions’ shared mission of providing a Christian liberal arts education centered on service and leadership.

At campus community meetings held on both campuses February 6, college leaders said the partnership is an innovative way to provide a high-quality liberal arts education in a Christian setting.

“This collaboration can broaden and deepen the opportunities for our students,” said Dan Boone, Trevecca president. “We envision semester options for our students to study American history in Boston or music or Civil War history in Nashville.”

ENC President Corlis McGee — who in 2016 announced her intention to step down as president at the end of this academic year — said administration officials of both institutions have already begun collaborative conversations, facilitated by consultant William Crothers of Presidential Leadership Associates.

“The proposed partnership would create expanded course offerings and opportunities for students of both institutions,” McGee said. “Technology would allow for expanded course offerings at both ENC and Trevecca, and exchanges could be arranged for both faculty and students.”

College officials said the proposed partnership includes shared administrative oversight, operational cost efficiencies, shared program resources and expanded impact. Each institution’s Board of Trustees will consider the proposal at their upcoming spring meetings.

The proposal comes at a time when Trevecca is experiencing dramatic growth. Founded in 1901, the 116-year-old comprehensive university is the fastest growing university in Middle Tennessee, adding 581 students to total enrollment in the last year for a total enrollment of 3,221. Trevecca’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies achieved a 47 percent year-over-year increase in adult studies and graduate students from fall 2015 to fall 2016.

With students from 34 states and 12 countries, ENC is recognized as one of the most diverse and multicultural Christian colleges in the country. Its highly respected faculty, low student-to-faculty ratio, strong community partnerships and close proximity to Boston afford ENC students with extensive opportunities for academic and cultural enrichment, valuable fellowships and internships, and opportunities to live out their faith through meaningful service and mission work. For its commitment to combining "the best in education with the best in Christian faith, " ENC has been recognized as one of the 10 Best Christian Colleges and Universities in the North (2017), the 50 Best Value Christian Colleges and Universities (2016) and the 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges and Universities (2015, 2016.)

--Trevecca Nazarene University, Eastern Nazarene College