University Announcement

University of Redlands Completes Merger with Presidio Graduate School, Launches Presidio Center for Sustainable Solutions

Merger completion ushers in a new era of sustainability-focused education. 

Redlands, Calif., April 22, 2025 – The University of Redlands announced the successful completion of its merger with Presidio Graduate School, a national leader in sustainability-focused graduate education. With this integration, the University has established the Presidio Center for Sustainable Solutions, housed within its School of Business & Society on the University of Redlands San Francisco Bay Area campus in Marin County. 
 
“This merger represents a bold step forward in advancing our mission to prepare students to lead in a complex, rapidly changing world,” said University of Redlands President Krista L. Newkirk. “Announcing this on Earth Day is especially meaningful, as it underscores our shared commitment to environmental responsibility. By bringing Presidio into the Redlands family, we are expanding opportunities for students across disciplines to engage with sustainability in an ethical, future-focused, and systems-driven mindset, all of which are critical foundational elements for those who will lead our future.”
 
The Presidio Center for Sustainable Solutions will continue Presidio’s legacy of providing an environmentally focused education, offering the MBA and MPA programs in Sustainable Solutions. These programs will maintain their distinctive curriculum, with courses available online and through low-residency, in-person sessions at the University’s Bay Area campus, where Presidio has already hosted residencies as part of its transition into Redlands. Coincidentally, the campus is the original location of the first iteration of Presidio (World College West) when it opened in 1973.    
 
“This merger is a strategic investment in our shared future and a pivotal moment in our evolution,” said University of Redlands Board of Trustees Chair, Jamison J. Ashby. “By uniting Redlands with Presidio’s nationally recognized expertise in sustainability, we are expanding our academic reach and sharpening our focus on industries and sectors where ethical, forward-thinking solutions are essential.” 

Since the merger agreement was first announced in early 2023, faculty, staff, and students from both institutions have worked collaboratively to ensure a seamless transition. With this integration now complete, the University will continue to develop programs, partnerships, and initiatives that will further amplify the impact of sustainability education. 

“The completion of this merger represents an exciting new chapter rooted in shared values and a bold vision for the future,” said Emily Pelissier, Presidio Center for Sustainable Solutions Executive Director. “We look forward to engaging our students, faculty, staff, and alumni as we chart a new era of sustainable leadership with the University of Redlands.” 

To help prospective students learn more, the University of Redlands will host a virtual information session on May 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the MBA, MPA, Dual Degree, and Certificate programs offered through the Presidio Center for Sustainable Solutions. For more information and to register for the session, click here. 

To learn more about undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered at the University of Redlands, please visit redlands.edu/presidio.