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With the fall semester only a few months away, though, the students who aren't graduating are searching for a new school. 

Enter Manhattanville. 

When Wells announced its closure, it also Manhattanville University, a private institution in Purchase, Westchester County, has been selected as its preferred teach-out partner. The teach-out agreement, which is subject to approval, would allow Wells students to transfer their credits and continue their studies at Manhattanville. 

Discussions between Manhattanville and Wells began in January, according to Sanchez. While Wells students can transfer to Manhattanville, it's not required. There are proposed teach-out agreements with other institutions, such as Le Moyne College in the Syracuse area. 

Why Manhattanville?

In an interview with Ë®¹ûÅÉAV, Sanchez made his pitch for why Wells College students should continue their educational careers at Manhattanville University. He highlighted the institution's among private institutions in New York and experiential learning programs. 

"By design, we have embedded those experiences in our curriculum. That is, I think, very distinctive," Sanchez said. "Those critical hands-on learning experiences shouldn't be episodic for students that are paying a lot of money for their degree.

"It should be something you can guarantee that they walk out with because the world of work is changing so fast and so quickly with artificial intelligence and technology. That hands-on learning experience during the college career, we think, is incredibly important for their future success." 

Sanchez also noted Manhattanville's efforts to provide a pathway to a five-year master's degree for every major. An advanced degree would prepare students for entry-level jobs and to lead their chosen industry, he said. 

The university is exploring other ideas, including a three-year program for honors students to earn their undergraduate degree and a four-year program in which honors students could earn their bachelor's and master's degrees. 

Location

Manhattanville University is located in the New York City suburbs. Sanchez, who is a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, is aware there might be students hesitant to head downstate. 

Although it's within close proximity to cities, including White Plains in Westchester County, Manhattanville is in a rural area. Sanchez said there are two traffic lights on the street that runs past the college. There are a few restaurants, but it's mostly a residential area. 

That may help Wells students as they prepare for their move from Aurora, a village with a population of 641. 

Sanchez thinks the student populations are similar — many Wells students come from New York City and the Westchester County area, he said. 

"Part of what we have to do is to help educate and help people really appreciate where Manhattanville University is and the type of experience we can provide," he said. "We actually think if students and families came down here, I think they would have a very different impression than what you might think a downstate university might provide."

Legacy

An important part of the agreement is Manhattanville University's commitment to preserve Wells College's legacy. 

In a news release, the institutions said they intend to "develop a legacy agreement that will seek ways to integrate the Wells College name and history into the Manhattanville community." Sanchez provided more details about what that might look like. 

Manhattanville has a heritage hallway in Reid Castle, its most recognizable building, featuring the institution's history. Wells College's history could be added to the hall, he said. 

There are also discussions about how to keep the Wells College name, whether it's by placing it on a building, residence hall or school, and allowing some members of the Wells' board of trustees to sit on Manhattanville's governing board. 

Sanchez said the school will create a Wells College student advisory board that will meet with him and other campus leaders.

"I think it's so important, if students choose to come to Manhattanville some four hours away, we're doing our very best to hear what their concerns are and provide a forum for them to share, to the highest level of administration, what we're doing well and how we can improve," he said. 

To make the transition easier, Manhattanville has set aside a residential building for Wells College students. This will allow them to continue living together while integrating into Manhattanville, Sanchez said.

Stability

After experiencing a college closure, students may be seeking assurance that Manhattanville — or wherever they decide to continue their education — won't close, too. 

Sanchez told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV he is "extremely confident" that won't happen at Manhattanville. He said the school is bucking national enrollment trends — the university's enrollment increased 5% in the past year — and its graduate programs are growing and generating additional revenue. There is also growth in alumni giving, fundraising and philanthropy. 

"We're positioned, I think, very well to compete in a hyper-competitive higher education environment," he said. 

When colleges and universities close, Sanchez explained, there are certain "common denominators." One is enrollment below 1,000 — Wells has 357 students, while Manhattanville has 1,329 undergraduate students and 1,050 graduate students, according to the university's website. 

Other factors include decreasing endowments and a lack of online course offerings. Manhattanville's endowment is "stable," Sanchez said, and they are working to grow it. The school also offers several online courses and degree programs. 

A recent change may provide a boost. The institution long known as Manhattanville College in April. 

"That's not only going to make us more attractive regionally, but nationally and internationally," Sanchez said. "I think more individuals are going to look at the Manhattanville education." 

Outreach

After Wells College announced its closure, Manhattanville University began its outreach to students. 

Sanchez said personnel from the university visited Wells on May 3. Although classes had ended, about 100 students attended the meeting. 

Manhattanville has launched "," a series of virtual information sessions that will be held at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. every Wednesday. The university is also planning to host an open house exclusively for Wells College students.

Sanchez encouraged Wells College students to visit Manhattanville's campus and review the university's academic programs. 

"I think we have something to offer," he continued. "Without question, we have an unparalleled return on investment and value, but it has to be a right fit and part of that fit, I think, is feeling the space, coming into the environment, meeting some of our students, meeting our staff and faculty, and ultimately making a decision."