Those Effected by College Closures
The stories of students, faculty, staff, and community members whose lives were directly affected by college closures. Through firsthand interviews and personal accounts, these stories document the academic, financial, and emotional impact of sudden institutional shutdowns, offering a deeper look at the human consequences.
Casey Gunnip
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, N.Y.
Hometown: Cicero, N.Y.
Casey describes his experience as a freshman at Saint Rose during the college’s unexpected closure. After committing in August of his senior year of high school, he arrived on campus with no indication the institution was in trouble, new facilities and renovations even suggested growth. In November 2023, however, news leaked through local media that the college would close, and students were officially informed the next day. Shocked, the student-athlete and their team immediately entered the transfer portal.
Transferring proved difficult, especially due to credits earned in high school that restricted which partner schools would accept him. Many courses didn’t transfer into his major, resulting in numerous unused elective credits. While the school cited financial decline as the reason for closure, students felt left in the dark, having received little warning.
The final months on campus were eerie and increasingly empty as many athletes and students transferred out early. Professors reacted differently, some flexible and supportive, others showed frustration. Teach-out plans and transfer agreements were offered with several institutions, though athletic scholarships weren’t matched. Casey gained more athletic aid at his new school but lost some academic support.
Emotionally, Casey managed well, but socially the closure was difficult, many strong friendships formed at Saint Rose were abruptly lost. The experience shifted his view of higher education; now, when exploring transfer options, he pays closer attention to a school’s financial stability. Overall, he wishes people understood how deeply a college closure affects students’ social ties and sense of community.
Sammy Welty
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Sammy Welty shares her experience as a student-athlete at Wittenberg University amid growing financial uncertainty. While the school has not announced closure, anxiety on campus has heightened with the news of probation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) over concerns about “resource base and sustainability”. Students are increasingly aware of budget cuts, program changes, and staffing reductions, making rumors of instability part of everyday conversation.
Sammy emphasizes how much institutional stability matters to student-athletes. Recent cuts to majors like German, Spanish, Music, and East Asian Studies, along with the elimination of 24 faculty and 45 staff positions, have disrupted advising, mentorship, and course availability. Athletic programs, including tennis and golf, have also been cut, increasing concerns about scholarships and team longevity. These changes have left many students contemplating transferring.
Despite this uncertainty, Sammy values Wittenberg’s small liberal-arts culture and community, though she questions how long that it can endure under this much financial strain.
Sammy’s story offers insight into how financial instability and accreditation probation can create disruption and fear even before a school closes. Her perspective highlights the human cost of institutional decline. Uncertainty affects academics, athletics, and campus life. Sammy describes how rumors and academic disruptions can affect ones' sense of belonging on a college campus.
Eric Finke
Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI
Hometown: West Chester, OH
Eric Finke is a student-athlete graduating in the same semester his school, Siena Heights, is shutting down. As a senior, he reflects on the emotional impact of finishing his college career while the campus rapidly empties around him. Once a lively environment, the school now feels different. The cafeterias are empty, most underclassmen have transferred, and only seniors and a few athletes remain.
Eric discusses how the closure came sooner than expected and how it disrupted academic and athletic plans for many of his peers. While coaches and administrators are focused on helping athletes transfer and secure scholarships, he notes that the system largely benefits athletes over non-athletes, especially those without athletic scholarships who must pay out of pocket or scramble for options.
Eric shares observations on broader college trends, particularly how small schools are increasingly vulnerable. Despite the uncertainty, he expresses gratitude for the support he’s received and says the experience hasn’t changed him negatively.
As Eric put it, “I wouldn’t change it. I really enjoyed the small classroom feel.” Having smaller classes was important during the recruiting process because it made learning more personal. Being able to walk into class where the teacher knows your name — and you know theirs — makes it easier to ask questions or work with classmates on projects since everyone knows each other. That close-knit atmosphere also helps students feel seen as individuals. “Everyone kind of sees you more as a person,” and the teachers and coaches are especially supportive because they genuinely care about students’ success.
Derek Fairley
Lourdes University
Sylvania, OH
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Derek first heard out about Lourdes' closure through teammates, and he quickly went to check his email. He was already planning on entering the transfer portal after this season, so the closure "kind of worked out" for him. He said, "for other students, I feel bad they are in such a tough situation. They have to hurry up and find where they're going to go because it is already the second half of the year." He shared that closures have been a pattern in his conference, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). Derek enjoyed his time at Lourdes, calling it a "nice little university". He attended a small high school, so he appreciated the tight-knit community at Lourdes. As Lourdes wraps up their final semester as an institution, Derek is hoping to make the most of his last few months. He shared that he has already noticed a shift on campus, and it feels weird. He said, "theres like no more joy. It feels like there is no color in the gym, like a grey gym."
Aurora Flynn
Goddard College
Plainfield, VT
Hometown: Northampton, MA
Aurora was enrolled at Goddard from the fall of 2021 to the spring of 2024, when they closed. They finished their last semester online at the teach-out school, Prescott College. They accepted all of their transfer credits and match financial aid, which was huge. However, they had to submit their senior study plan three times. Aurora shared that "project-based learning changed my life." There was a lot of anger, and there was a push from some faculty and students to do a Remake Goddard initiative.
Aurora believes that this closure reflects a broader trend: that small rural colleges are in danger. They said, "I think higher education in general is in danger right now. The schools that have billions of dollars and massive endowments are going to be fine."
Chloe Laven
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, N.Y.
Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
Beginning in Fall of 2023, Chloe was in the School Psychology MSED program.
Adam Myers
Goddard College
Plainfield, VT
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Goddard graduate who was part of the college’s final graduating class, is helping lead the effort through a new initiative called Goddard Spark Launch Residency. Myers said Goddard’s impact went beyond earning a degree.
Adam studied Entertainment Business at Goddard.
Abagail Dowen
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, N.Y.
Hometown: East Greenbush, N.Y.
Abagail was a second year studying Education at the College of Saint Rose when they announced closure. She is now finishing her degree at the University of Albany.
Sean Alvarado
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, N.Y.
Hometown: Millbrook, N.Y.
Sean was studying computer science at the College of Saint Rose when they announced closure. He is now finishing his degree at the University of Albany.