Drew University announced today the creation of a new college dedicated to reimagining the landscape of higher education. The new academic unit aims to support students with highly individualized learning pathways leveraging emerging technologies to prepare them for rapidly evolving professional and civic challenges.
The new college will operate alongside the existing College of Liberal Arts, Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, and Drew Theological School. Its mission is to expand access to an affordable Drew education for a diverse range of students, from high school graduates to retired professionals and those seeking industry upskilling.
The launch comes amid national concerns over the value and rising cost of traditional higher education. Drew University President Hilary Link stated that the institution is stepping up to disrupt the sector by delivering meaningful educational innovation.
“We’re building a radically different school—one cohort at a time,” President Link said. “We will unleash the power of individual purpose by driving the future of learning through the use of ever-evolving enabling technologies to promote access and center students working on urgent societal problems through deep mentorship, authentic engagement with real-world challenges, and a broader definition of learning.”
The initial cohort is slated to begin in Spring 2026 with 12-15 current students. This group will dedicate half of their course schedule to a program designed to fast-track their ability to create cross-disciplinary studies focused on their individual passions and real-time problem-solving.
Drew’s commitment to innovation has already drawn national attention, with the university recently invited to join the Milken Institute’s strategic partnership for its Future of: Education and Workforce Initiative.
According to President Link, the Milken Institute collaboration will help further shape the new college’s model with an emphasis on complex problem solving, applied creativity, and building personal resilience, providing students the flexibility to build the degree that is right for them and their futures. The university stated this launch modernizes its 159-year history of adapting and innovating to meet student needs, continuing a tradition that began with the founding of the Theological Seminary in 1867.
