Mohave Community College Prepares for its 50th Anniversary

Mohave Community College in Arizona is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1971. It became part of the Arizona Community College System in 1974 and was first accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges in 1981. Enrollment is over 4,300 students with campuses located in Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and North Mohave.

The Miner posted "Mohave Community College is 50 years old and ready to celebrate," by Agata Popeda on October 17, 2020.

School of Architecture at Taliesin Announces Closure

Updates: Inside Higher Ed posted articles March 6, 2020, "Former Frank Lloyd Wright School Will Fight to Stay Open," and March 10, 2020, "Fight Unfolds Over Frank Lloyd Wright's Educational Legacy," by Rick Seltzer indicating a reversal of the decision to close the School of Architecture at Taliesin.

Antonio Pacheco reported for Archinect News on January 28, 2020 that the School of Architecture at Taliesin announced its intent to close in June 2020, "Frank Lloyd Wright's School of Architecture at Taliesin shutters its doors after 88 years."

The institution was founded in 1932 in Spring Green, WI. After 1937 it operated seasonally with classes in Scottsdale, AZ from October-June and at the Spring Green location from May-October.

The institution worked aggressively to secure and maintain accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, the National Architectural Accrediting Board, and the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. 

A formal separation from the Frank Lloyd Foundation was negotiated in 2017 and the name formally changed from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture to the School of Architecture at Taliesin.

Though current enrollment is roughly 30 students, Pacheco notes that there are over 1,200 graduates.

If you are interested in recent trends for closures, mergers,and acquisitions access College Closures since 2009 in the index at the right of any College History Garden page. There are separate tabs for non-profit closures, for-profit closures, and one for mergers and acquisitions. Each tab includes basic information for the institutions, i.e., Carnegie Classification, sector, accrediting agency, and the IPEDS unitid.

Le Cordon Bleu Colleges of Culinary Art will no longer enroll new students

Inside Higher Ed reports on December 17, 2015 that Le Cordon Bleu Colleges of Culinary Art will no longer accept new students and intends to close in 2017.  The for-profit operates sixteen locations around the country and is owned by Career Education Corporation.  The table below includes enrollment and accreditation information for each location from IPEDS.

American Indian College will Close

Inside Higher Ed reported on November 24, 2015 that American Indian College in Pheonix, AZ lost accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission and will close.

The institution was founded as American Indian Bible Institute in 1957.  The name changed to American Indian Bible College in 1983 and to American Indian College of the Assemblies of God in 1994.  You can click on the image above to see a short 4 1/2 minute promotional video on YouTube featuring interviews with students, staff, and faculty.

Colleges Considering Mergers

Kellie Woodhouse explores factors leading to more interest in mergers for Inside Higher Ed on July 7, 2015.  Woodhouse also notes that mergers can be difficult to achieve and consortial arrangements or other options that offer the hope of greater efficiency and lower costs are discussed.  The article includes references to the following recent or anticipated mergers:

• Union Graduate College and Clarkson University
• Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory
• Salem State University and Montserrat College of Art
• Arizona State University and Thunderbird School of Global Management
• George Washington University and Corcoran School of Art and Design

Reporter focuses on Grand Canyon University's effort to become Non-Profit

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is one of several for-profit institutions that have either achieved or are working to become a non-profits.  Ronald J. Hansen explores the status of GCU's situation in the January 17, 2015 issue of The Republic.

Arizona Colleges that have Closed, Merged, or Changed Names

This table below includes institutions that have closed, merged, or changed their names.  If you note a need for changing or updating information, please notify ray01brown@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

An index with links to separate pages for other states and countries is available.

There is a College History Garden Facebook group or you can view and follow multiple College History Garden boards on Pinterest or there is a board specifically devoted to Arizona colleges.

Thanks for your interest and suggestions!

AZ State Board for Private Postsecondary Education

The Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education maintains academic records for State Board licensed institutions that are no longer in operation.