About the Alliance

On November 6, 2019, Emerson and Marlboro colleges announced their plans to form an historic alliance that would preserve Marlboro’s legacy of rigorous, independent study while strengthening Emerson’s commitment to the liberal arts.

Over the course of several months, working groups formed by each college met to work out details of the alliance, as it pertained to student life, enrollment, academic affairs, fiduciary matters, governance, and physical facilities. Following approval from the Attorney General of Vermont, the alliance was completed on July 23, 2020.

Through this alliance, undergraduates who were enrolled at Marlboro may complete their degrees through the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies at Emerson College, newly renamed and ready to carry forward Marlboro’s tradition of intensive, self-directed academic inquiry, with the support of the college’s endowment.

Marlboro’s talented tenured and tenure-track faculty were invited to join Emerson College, and several have chosen to continue their teaching, research, and creative work through the Marlboro Institute, or in some cases, in one of Emerson’s other degree-granting academic departments.

Emerson College welcomes and embraces our new students and faculty, as well as the thousands of Marlboro College alumni who have brought the Marlboro spirit of intellectual mettle into the world.