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Siena College in Loudonville will officially transition to Siena University starting with the upcoming academic year. The New York State Board of Regents approved the name change earlier this week. The decision follows a unanimous vote by Siena's Board of Trustees and aims to reflect the institution's growth and future direction.
Siena University President Chuck Seifert emphasized that the change will not alter the school's core focus on students and education. "Nothing changes except Siena’s name, and that’s really important to emphasize because Siena will always be focused first on our students, on our value, and the educational experience that we provide," Seifert said.
The transition to university status aligns with Siena's expanded emphasis on graduate programs. The institution currently offers 40 undergraduate and eight graduate programs.
A community procession and ceremony on September 18 to celebrate the transition. The rebranding is expected to enhance Siena's profile and potentially increase enrollment.
The name change comes after the Board of Regents amended the definition of a university in 2022, which opened the door for Siena to pursue this transition. The school will welcome students as Siena University at the start of the fall semester.