Otterbein University and Antioch University Announce Intention to Form First-of-Kind National System.

Otterbein University and Antioch University announced their intention to affiliate with each other to create a unique, national, non-profit, university system focused on educating students both for careers and to prepare students to advance social justice, democracy, and the common good. These two venerable universities have strong reputations for advancing social, racial and environmental justice and it’s intended that the system would grow to include other colleges and universities with similar histories and missions.

The new system of affiliated universities is built around the concept of shared graduate and adult-learner programs, while members keep their distinctive undergraduate programs and brand identities. This innovative system allows the universities to expand degree offerings, to offer programs in more locations nationwide, to provide innovative learning modalities including online, low-residency, and hybrid settings, to create new opportunities for student engagement across institutions, to enhance capacities and contain costs through shared services and improved technologies, while, at the same time, preparing students to become engaged citizens advancing democracy and social justice.

Watch a Recording of the Announcement

The independent university system model is being developed to allow universities to move from being competitors to collaborators to better serve students and our communities while preserving their own institutional identities and cultures.

Moreover, as a national system we will be better positioned to address the needs of industry in our states and nation providing accessible and affordable workplace education.

John C. Comerford, Ph.D.
President, Otterbein University

This is the first system to be created in which the affiliate institutions are bound by a common mission of educating for social justice and a commitment to building and preserving democracy. This mission-driven system could not come at a more important inflection point in our nation’s history.

Our pluralistic American democracy requires that educational institutions prepare students to be effective and engaged citizens.

William Groves, J.D.
Chancellor, Antioch University

What Others are Saying

“The strategic affiliation between Antioch University and Otterbein University is a critical first step in what I hope will be an effective Postsecondary Justice and Democracy League. Democracy in the United States is under attack. During World War II our colleges and universities were critical organizations that helped the country prepare for war. Our scientists have played central roles in fighting epidemics and improving the lives of our citizens. We now need higher education to help us protect and advance democracy. Antioch and Otterbein have put forward the structure to make it happen. Both universities have distinguished histories framed by missions devoted to the search for truth, equal access, and equality and justice for all. This is an affiliation that comes not simply at the right time, but at a critical moment in our country. I look forward to concrete actions by both institutions that strengthen democracy and their institutions.”

William G. Tierney, Ph.D.
University Professor Emeriti, University of Southern California
Author, Higher Education for Democracy: The Role of the University in Civil Society (2021); Get Real: 49 Challenges Confronting Higher Education (2020)

“Higher education has an obligation and an imperative to adapt to the marketplace. I applaud Otterbein’s leadership to respond to the needs of our community and the country.”

Kenny McDonald
President and CEO
The Columbus Partnership

“Higher education has an obligation and an imperative to adapt to the marketplace. I applaud Otterbein’s leadership to respond to the needs of our community and the country.”

Kenny McDonald
President and CEO
The Columbus Partnership

“The new system being founded by Otterbein and Antioch Universities aligns with our “Portrait of a Graduate” goals and creates even more opportunity for Columbus City Schools’ students to have pathways from high school through to a master’s degree or even a doctoral degree. In fact, we see opportunities for all stakeholders in CCS — students, faculty, staff, and communities — and we are excited to build strategies for transforming K-12 and higher education partnerships together with these innovative institutions.”

Dr. Talisa Dixon
Superintendent and CEO
Columbus City Schools

“It is exciting to see this creative and mutually supportive collaboration develop. This kind of innovation expands opportunities for students while preserving the unique character of these independent institutions.”

Marjorie Hass
President, Council of Independent Colleges

“It is exciting to see this creative and mutually supportive collaboration develop. This kind of innovation expands opportunities for students while preserving the unique character of these independent institutions.”

Marjorie Hass
President, Council of Independent Colleges

“During this pivotal moment when our democracy is in crisis, the Antioch-Otterbein social justice alliance is a needed innovation and a challenge to like-missioned universities to join forces and educate for democracy’s well-being. The partnership mobilizes collaboration with the imperative to do good and develop creative solutions that result in an improved future.”

Sean Creighton, Ph.D.
President, New American Colleges and Universities

“Ohio is becoming an increasingly popular location for major employers in a variety of industries. With that comes a growing need for skilled and upskilled workers. The system that Otterbein University and Antioch University are proposing will address that need by bringing new educational opportunities to Ohio for adult learners already in the workforce and traditional undergraduates preparing to enter the workforce. ”

Lisa Patt-McDaniel
President and CEO, Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio

“Ohio is becoming an increasingly popular location for major employers in a variety of industries. With that comes a growing need for skilled and upskilled workers. The system that Otterbein University and Antioch University are proposing will address that need by bringing new educational opportunities to Ohio for adult learners already in the workforce and traditional undergraduates preparing to enter the workforce. ”

Lisa Patt-McDaniel
President and CEO, Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio

Media Coverage

News of Otterbein University and Antioch University’s intentions to form a national system built on collaboration, not competition, was met with great interest. Covered by media outlets throughout the country, see some of the coverage we thought best captured the innovation and potential behind this exciting development:

The Higher Edge Podcast: Founding a Nationwide University System for Democracy and Social Justice
(featuring Antioch University Chancellor Bill Groves and Otterbein University President John Comerford)
Chronicle of Higher Education: Antioch and Otterbein Tie the Knot
WOSU – All Sides: How to Make College More Affordable
Inside Higher Ed: Otterbein, Antioch U Aim to Create National System
NBC4: Otterbein University and Antioch University Team Up (Video)
Best Colleges: New National University System Will Focus on Adult Learners, Liberal Arts
EdSurge: Two Universities Team Up to Stay Alive, But Stop Short of Merging
Keene Sentinel: Antioch System Announces Plans to Affiliate with University in Ohio
Columbus Business First: How Otterbein’s New Partnership Aims to Help Fill Workforce Needs
Spectrum News One: Universities Collaborate to Better Serve Adult Learners
Higher Ed Dive: Otterbein, Antioch Plan National Private Nonprofit University System
Dispatch: Otterbein Partners with Antioch University to Create a National Private University System
Inside Higher Ed (mention): Montclair State and Bloomfield College Merge
The Columbus Dispatch : Ohio College Graduation Getting more Students to Finish Degree
Taylor and Francis Online: The Role of Colleges and Universities in Defending and Preserving Democracy
The Chronicle of Higher Education: The 7 Trends Shaping Small Colleges

A System of Equals

Locations Nationwide

Undergraduate Programs & Concentrations

Graduate Programs & Concentrations

Doctoral Programs

Certificate Programs

Continuing Education Courses

Online/Low-Residency Programs & Concentrations

Unified Mission

Explore More About This Collaboration >

Campus Locations

This unique, not-for-profit, university system will support students at various locations throughout the United States and will include robust online and low-residency programs. Antioch University operates out of Keene, New Hampshire; Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California; Seattle, Washington; and Yellow Springs, Ohio. Otterbein’s campus is located in Westerville, Ohio.