Press Releases

​​Manhattanville University Community Mourns Ethel Skakel Kennedy, Class of 1949. Kennedy’s life work exemplified Manhattanville’s mission PURCHASE, NY, October 10, 2024 – Ethel Skakel Kennedy ’49, a graduate of the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, now Manhattanville University, died on October 10, 2024, at age 96. The Manhattanville community extends its heartfelt condolences to the Skakel, McCooey, Shriver, and Kennedy families during this time of sorrow. Kennedy dedicated her life to philanthropy and public service, inspiring generations with her unwavering commitment to equality and humanitarian causes. Her life’s work exemplified Manhattanville's mission to educate ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community.

PURCHASE, NY, September 24, 2024 – Manhattanville University has once again been ranked by “U.S. News & World Report” as one of the “Top Performers for Social Mobility” based on the 2025 Best Colleges rankings issued this week. For the fifth consecutive year, the university has been ranked as one of the top 3 private, non-profit institutions in New York State for Social Mobility in the Regional Universities North Category.

PURCHASE, NY, September 2024 – Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., the fifteenth president of Manhattanville University and Manhattanville’s first Latino president, is being honored with the Trailblazer Award from the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WHCC).

PURCHASE, NY, September 2024 – Manhattanville University has been included in the latest annual list of America’s Top Colleges from Forbes. The list includes 500 schools that were selected due to their ability to produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.

PURCHASE, NY, September 4, 2024 – Manhattanville University is one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduates according to The Princeton Review’s annual guide, “The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition,” published on August 27. The list is also posted on PrincetonReview.com.

Manhattanville University President Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D. Appointed as Member of the NCAA Division III Chancellors/Presidents Advisory Group Manhattanville University, home of the Valiants, is a Division III School PURCHASE, NY, September 2024 – Go Valiants! Manhattanville University President Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., has been appointed as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s Division III Chancellors/Presidents Advisory Group. In his new role, Dr. Sánchez will help ensure that student athletes, including those at Manhattanville and beyond, have the support they need to succeed now and in the future.

PURCHASE, NY, September 2024 – Manhattanville University has been included in the latest annual list of America’s Top Colleges from Forbes. The list includes 500 schools that were selected due to their ability to produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.

Sodexo’s dining programs at Manhattanville University and SUNY New Paltz assembled and donated Mindful care kits to local food pantries in honor of National Mindfulness Day. Valiant Dining and New Paltz Dining purchased toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hairbrushes, tissues, feminine care products and snacks to be donated, then asked for students’ help to assemble the items into care kits.

PURCHASE, NY, September 2024 – In a time of increasing political division, civil discourse is more importantthan ever. This fall, as students head back to campuses across the nation, Manhatanville University is ready toteach students how to be engaged, thoughtful citizens both on and off campus as part of a unified effort acrossinstitutions of higher learning.

PURCHASE, N.Y., August 22, 2024 – As Manhattanville’s President, Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., begins his second academic year at the university, the school is seeing its third year of consecutive new undergraduate student growth, a first since 2006 through 2008, with a 9 percent enrollment increase. The University is also reporting year-over-year institutional growth of 9 percent for all undergraduate student populations and a 52 percent increase in new first-year student enrollment since 2021.

Manhattanville University announced the appointment of Susan D. Williams, CPA, MBA, DBA as the new Senior Vice President for Finance and Operational Innovation. Williams is the first cabinet hire of Manhattanville's new President, Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., and will join Manhattanville in September.

PURCHASE, NY, July 2024 – Manhattanville University is proud to announce the University has been recognized as a College of Distinction by Colleges of Distinction for the fifth year in a row. This recognition honors Manhattanville’s exceptional undergraduate education, including its dedication to hands-on learning, robust student-faculty relationships, an active campus community, and outstanding student outcomes. Colleges of Distinction also honored Manhatanville as a Business College of Distinction, an Education College of Distinction, a Career Development College of Distinction, and an Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction.

Manhattanville University welcomes three new members to its board. Grace Butler, Karina Frayter, and Peter Lorenz join the Manhattanville Board of Trustees, bringing Expertise in Business, Branding, and Education PURCHASE, NY, June 2024—Manhattanville University announced the appointment of three Board members: Grace Butler, Karina Frayter, and Peter Lorenz. The additions to the Board come on the heels of Manhattanville’s recent announcement of elevated status as a university. Michael Dunn, Chair of the Manhattanville Board of Trustees, praised the new members, saying they bring a wealth of experience in business, branding, and educational leadership to Manhattanville's already robust Board.

PURCHASE, NY – Manhattanville University’s Sport Studies Program announced its first Speaker in Residence for its National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funded project “Sport Studies in the 21st Century: Amplifying the Latinx Experience in Curricula, Conversation, and Community,” Adrian Burgos, Jr., Ph.D., He will be in residence in October 2024, with his marquee public lecture taking place on October 21 at 6pm (details to follow).

"Manhattanville University is deeply honored to be given the awesome responsibility to support the Wells College community during this difficult time of transition,” said Frank Sánchez, Ph.D., president of Manhattanville University. “We are committed to making this transition seamless and successful, upholding Wells College's name and cherished traditions. Our commitment is not only to continuity but also to the advancement of a shared heritage that has long been dedicated to the empowerment of students."

PURCHASE, N.Y. – Manhattanville University has been selected to receive a grant of $997,439 from the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) and the State University of New York (SUNY). The grant will fund the proposal, “Teaching Assistant to Teacher of Record: Investing in Our Local Workforce,” as part of the Education Workforce Investment Alternative Teacher Certification Program, over a four-year period beginning in July of this year.

PURCHASE, NY, March 18 – Looking toward the future, Manhattanville is celebrating a new era as it inaugurates its 15th President, Frank D. Sánchez, Ph.D., and transitions from Manhattanville College to Manhattanville University. The school has a week of events planned to honor and celebrate these historic moments with the theme, “Leading a Valiant Vision.”

PURCHASE, NY, March 18 – Manhattanville College hosted “Pathways to Public Service” on March 13, a panel discussion aimed at sharing career insights with students interested in public-sector jobs. Organized by Manhattanville’s Center for Career Development, the panel featured former New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, executive director of Sustainable Westchester; Joanne Fernandez, chief of staff to New York’s Secretary of State; Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; and Wilson Kimball, president and CEO of the Yonkers Housing Authority.

Manhattanville College is offering prospective students new resources in response to the recent changes to the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The proposal, “Sport Studies in the 21st Century: Amplifying the Latinx Experience in Curricula, Conversation, and Community,” was selected for one of five such awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities