Hodges University shutting down by August 2024; no degree seeking enrollment this fall

Hodges University is closing permanently by the end of August 2024, citing financial difficulties and declining enrollment, according to the school's president.

The private, nonprofit university based in Fort Myers will not enroll any degree-seeking students in September 2023, according to a notice Friday to students from Hodges President Charlene Wendel.

The majority of Hodges’ degree offerings will end next April with limited classes through August 2024. The campus is at 4501 Colonial Blvd.

“Unfortunately, due to financial challenges and declining enrollment numbers, we can no longer provide the quality educational programs that we have provided over the past 33 years,” the notice said.

Hodges’ closure is not unique; dozens of smaller universities and colleges across the United States have closed in recent years, according to bestcolleges.com.

“We understand that this news may come as a shock, but we want you to know that our top priority is to ensure that your educational journey continues smoothly, and we are here to help you find another school to finish your degree if you will not be able to complete it before we close,” according to the Hodges’ notice.

Wendel said Hodges has started reaching out to other universities for transfer options for all students who will not be able to finish their degree at Hodges.

Faculty advisors are establishing partnerships with other schools to enable students to easily transfer.

“We understand that transferring credits and adapting to a new environment can be challenging, and we are committed to minimizing any disruptions to your education,” the notice said.

Hodges has faced declining enrollment in recent years despite efforts to adapt to a changing educational landscape and provide innovative programs, according to a news release. But the track was unsustainable, prompting the school's board of trustees to opt for closing, the release said.

More: Hodges University training dental hygienists; public can access care

How many students are impacted?

Seventy-six students had planned to start at Hodges in September and they will not, Wendel told the Fort Myers News-Press/Naples Daily News.

“We want to graduate as many of our students as we can before closing,” she said.

Wendel replaced John Meyer as president July 6 following a special meeting of the board of trustees who decided for a “change in leadership.”  Hodges offered no details for the switch.

“We are enrolling students not seeking a degree, for example certificates, English as a second language, EMT students are being accepted, and non-credit bearing students are also still being enrolled,” she said.

In 2013, there were about 2,800 students and today there are 340 students in undergraduate programs and 70 graduate students.

What about the financials?

The financial issues are tied to the declining enrollment, Wendel said.

“These challenges were exacerbated by COVID-19 and by Hurricane Ian,” she said, referring to the near Category 5 storm that hit Southwest Florida last Sept. 28. “However, the primary fact is that enrollment is down and this is being seen throughout the country,” she said.

Hodges is not declaring bankruptcy, which Wendel said she has seen on social media posts.

According to bestcolleges.com, at least 43 public or nonprofit colleges since spring 2020 have closed or merged with other institutions.

Campuses shut down on-campus learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and many struggled to re-open, according to the site.

In 2017, Jones College in Jacksonville closed after operating nearly 100 years. A notice cited loss of accreditation. Jones had 350 students.

History of Hodges

Hodges is a private non-profit university that was founded in 1990 and its original name was International College.

Its focus was to provide education and training opportunities for working adults. It changed its name to Hodges in 2007 in honor of benefactors, Earl and Thelma Hodges, of Naples.

Hodges offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields that include accounting, psychology, business, computer science, nursing, dental hygiene, health science, marketing and other areas.

It began offering online degree programs in 1995. Hodges ranked 37 for best online schools in Florida this year by University HQ, an independent educational organization.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fort Myers' Hodges University closing after 33 years of operation