Frequently Asked Questions

The Decision and the New Name

What did the Board of Trustees approve?
The Board of Trustees approved university designation and the name North Central University Naperville, effective July 1, 2027.

Why is North Central changing its name?
The new name aligns North Central’s public identity with the institution it has become. North Central now offers a broad undergraduate foundation, an expanding portfolio of graduate and professional programs, integrated pathways to advanced study, research and experiential learning opportunities, and distinguished accreditations. The change also gives prospective students, families, employers and partners greater clarity about North Central’s academic scope, location and value.

Why make this change now?
North Central is acting from a position of strength. Recent enrollment success, academic growth and accreditation achievements provide momentum to move forward with confidence. At the same time, demographic change, intensifying competition and growing questions about the value of higher education make it increasingly important for North Central to communicate its strengths clearly and distinguish itself in the marketplace. Acting now allows the institution to shape its future proactively rather than wait for external pressures to narrow its options.

Does the new name signal a change in North Central’s mission or values?
No. North Central will remain grounded in the same mission, values, liberal arts tradition and commitment to students that have guided the institution throughout its history. The change is intended to make the institution better understood; not to change what makes the North Central experience distinctive.

Why does the name include “North Central,” “University” and “Naperville”?
The name brings together three essential parts of North Central’s identity. “North Central” preserves more than a century of history, affinity and Cardinal pride. “University” reflects the breadth and depth of the institution’s academic offerings today. “Naperville” names our home, provides immediate geographic clarity and connects North Central to a nationally recognized community known for education, opportunity, economic vitality and quality of life.

Preserving the North Central Identity
 

Will we still be known as North Central?
Yes. North Central remains at the heart of the new name and our identity. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, athletic teams and friends of the institution will continue to refer to North Central and to identify as Cardinals. The new name builds on that strong foundation rather than replacing it.

Will the institution become known as “NCUN”?
No. There are no plans to adopt “NCUN” as an institutional identity or shorthand. Throughout the planning process, the emphasis has been on preserving North Central and NC, including the familiar block NC image. An updated visual identity will be developed, but the intent is to carry the strength and recognition of NC forward.

What will happen to the Cardinal identity, athletics traditions and the block NC?
The Cardinal identity, athletics traditions and pride associated with North Central will continue. The Board’s resolution specifically recognizes the importance of the North Central name and block NC image as carriers of institutional history, relationships and tradition. The visual identity process will honor that legacy while creating a strong system for the new name.

Does the name change erase the history of North Central College?
Not at all. Alumni will always be graduates of the institution they attended, and North Central College will remain an important part of our history. The new name honors that history by preserving “North Central” and recognizing the generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and friends who built the institution we know today.

Has North Central changed its name before?
Yes. The institution was founded as Plainfield College in 1861, became North-Western College in 1864 and adopted the name North Central College in 1926. Each change helped the institution express its identity more clearly while preserving its mission and educational commitments. The 2027 change continues that tradition of thoughtful evolution.
 

Why “University” and Why “Naperville”?
 

Why add “University” to the name?
“University” more accurately reflects North Central’s current academic profile. The institution offers more than 90 undergraduate majors, a growing range of graduate degrees and certificates, professional and pre-professional pathways, research opportunities, and nationally and internationally recognized accreditations. The designation also provides greater clarity for graduate, professional and international audiences. In many international markets, the term “college” is associated with secondary education or a narrower type of institution and does not communicate the full scope of North Central’s academic offerings.

Will becoming a university change the personal North Central experience?
No. Students will continue to learn in small classes from accomplished professors and to benefit from close relationships with faculty and staff. North Central will continue to pair the breadth of a university with the personal attention, community and student-centered experience that have long distinguished the institution. North Central will be a university with the soul of a college.

Why include “Naperville” in the name?
Naperville has been North Central’s home since 1870 and an essential part of its story and success. Including Naperville provides immediate geographic clarity and connects North Central to a nationally recognized city known for educational excellence, economic vitality, opportunity, quality of life and proximity to Chicago. It also highlights something no peer institution can claim: North Central is the only four-year institution of higher education based in Naperville. That geographic clarity matters because students, faculty, staff and coaches have frequently encountered people who mistakenly assume North Central is a community college rather than an institution offering a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral programs in the health sciences.

Does including Naperville make North Central more local or regional?
Including Naperville strengthens North Central’s ability to reach well beyond the region. For audiences unfamiliar with the institution, particularly prospective graduate, adult and international students, the location provides recognition, context and credibility. Naperville’s proximity to Chicago, its national reputation, and its connections to major employers, healthcare, innovation and professional opportunity enhance North Central’s appeal locally, nationally and internationally.

How does Naperville benefit students?
Naperville and the greater Chicago region give students access to internships, employment, research, clinical experiences, community engagement, cultural opportunities and professional networks. The name makes that advantage more visible while reinforcing the relationship between North Central and the community it has called home for more than 150 years.
 

Engagement and Community Perspectives

 

Who provided input during the process?
Over the course of two years, thousands of people contributed perspectives on North Central’s identity and future. The College engaged directly with students, faculty, staff, coaches and alumni, as well as prospective students, the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Board, donors, admission professionals, high school and community college counselors, corporate partners and community members. The College also gathered feedback through a survey distributed to thousands of people representing a range of constituencies. Together, this extensive engagement helped shape the proposal and reinforced the importance of preserving North Central while more clearly communicating the institution’s academic breadth and Naperville location.

What is the perspective of students, faculty, staff and coaches on campus?
Support across campus constituencies has been overwhelmingly strong. Before making a final decision, trustees heard directly from student leaders, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty leaders, academic deans, staff representatives, enrollment professionals and coaches. Their testimonials described how university designation and the Naperville connection can strengthen recruitment, visibility, academic opportunities and institutional pride while preserving the close-knit character of North Central. Collectively, their comments reflected overwhelming support for the change.

Did alumni have an opportunity to provide input?
Yes. Alumni participated through surveys, conversations and engagement with alumni leadership. Feedback was mixed when an earlier survey presented the idea without the full strategic rationale, but it also showed strong affinity for the North Central name. When university designation was considered, pairing “North Central” with “Naperville” emerged as the clear preference among alumni respondents. The Alumni Board expressed overwhelming support, and the African American Alumni Association Board supported the proposal unanimously.

How did the Board of Trustees reach its decision?
The Board considered the institution’s history, academic growth, market research, constituency feedback, competitive environment, financial implications, implementation risks and long-term opportunities. Trustees heard directly from campus representatives and discussed how the name could preserve North Central’s identity while positioning the institution for continued strength. The final decision brings together the three themes consistently reinforced through the process: affinity for North Central, an academic profile that reflects a university, and Naperville as an important asset and differentiator.
 

Students, Alumni and the North Central Experience
 

What will the name change mean for current students?
Current students will continue to receive the same personal, student-centered education. Small classes, dedicated faculty and staff, a strong liberal arts foundation, experiential learning, professional pathways and a steadfast commitment to student success will remain central to the North Central experience.

How will future students benefit?
The name is intended to help prospective students and families understand North Central more quickly and fully. A clearer university identity can strengthen awareness of North Central’s undergraduate, graduate and professional opportunities, distinguish the institution from community colleges and other competitors, and make its Naperville and Chicago-area advantages more visible.

What does the change mean for alumni?
Alumni remain an essential part of North Central’s story, and their connection to the institution does not change. Diplomas, memories, relationships, accomplishments and Cardinal pride remain part of North Central’s enduring legacy. The new name celebrates the institution alumni helped build and carries the North Central identity forward for future generations.

I did not receive the email announcing the name change. How can I receive future communications?
Some alumni and parents of current students may not have received the announcement because the College does not have their current contact information or because the message was filtered into a spam or promotions folder. To update your contact information and receive future communications from North Central, contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement at alumni@noctrl.edu. We also encourage alumni and parents to add alumni@noctrl.edu to their contacts or approved senders list.

Will alumni need new diplomas or transcripts?
No. Existing diplomas and academic records remain valid. The institution will provide additional guidance as operational details for records and document requests are finalized during the transition, including information about options for alumni who may wish to request a free diploma bearing the new institutional name after July 1, 2027.

Will degrees earned before July 1, 2027, become university degrees?
A degree earned before the effective date remains a degree awarded by North Central College. Beginning July 1, 2027, degrees will be awarded under the new institutional name. Regardless of the name shown on a diploma, every graduate remains part of the same North Central community and tradition.

Timeline and Implementation
 

When does the new name take effect?
The official change to North Central University Naperville takes effect July 1, 2027. Until then, the institution will continue to operate as North Central College while preparing for the transition.

Will everything change on July 1, 2027?
No. The legal name will change on that date, but implementation will unfold thoughtfully over several years. Priority will be given to high-visibility and high-impact areas such as the institutional website, external signage, marketing materials and official records. Other items will be updated through a planned, phased process.

What will happen to the logo and visual identity?
North Central will develop an updated visual identity to accompany the new name. That work will preserve the strength of “North Central,” NC and the Cardinal identity while creating a clear and consistent expression of North Central University Naperville. Additional details and opportunities for input will be shared as the process moves forward.

How will North Central manage the transition responsibly?
The President and senior leadership team will oversee a phased implementation with clear responsibilities, budget oversight, coordinated communication and regular review. Progress will be monitored across enrollment, market awareness, financial performance, student experience, stakeholder confidence and implementation milestones, with ongoing Board oversight.

Will the website, email addresses and other systems change?
Some digital platforms and institutional systems will be updated over time. Because the transition is being phased, changes will be planned carefully to maintain operational continuity and minimize disruption. Specific guidance about website addresses, email, records and other systems will be provided well before any action is required.

Where can I find updates or ask additional questions?
This FAQ page will be updated as transition plans develop and as additional questions emerge. North Central will continue to share information through institutional communications, the College website, social media and engagement opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.