“On Monday we reached the point of the New York State application process where we were advised to communicate our intentions to shift our academics, athletics, and operations to our New York City campus,” says Jeff Quinn, VP for college relations. “As we wait for final approvals, we have engaged with real estate professionals regarding options for our Rockland property. There are no final decisions at this time.”

The college states on its website the following in connection with its Rockland campus, “Currently the plan is for the Rockland campus to be sold. The proceeds from this sale will be used to strengthen Nyack in NYC, to keep our tuition affordable and to continue the mission to which we believe God has called Nyack; namely, 'To prepare men and women to live the whole gospel in the whole world.'”

College officials say that Nyack College and the Alliance Theological Seminary are taking the appropriate steps for all operations to return to New York City, where a forerunner of Nyack College was founded in 1882.

After purchasing 28 acres, in 1897 the school moved to the village of South Nyack. In 1956 the school was renamed Nyack Missionary College and then in 1972 changed to Nyack College to reflect the total program of the college.

Alliance Theological Seminary, previously the Jaffray School of Missions, was founded as a graduate program of Nyack College in 1960.  The Jaffray School of Missions emphasized the interdisciplinary encounter between theology and the social sciences.  In 1974, the Jaffray program was redesigned to include the preparation of students for North American as well as overseas ministries. The name of the school was subsequently changed to the Alliance School of Theology and Missions.  In September of 1979, the Alliance School of Theology and Missions became Alliance Theological Seminary.

In 1995, Nyack College established a satellite program in lower Manhattan. By 1997, Alliance Theological Seminary classes were offered there as well.

Nyack College and the Alliance Theological Seminary cite a number of reasons for shifting campus programs to Manhattan and putting its storied Rockland County campus on the market for sale. The college states on its website that the Manhattan campus is large enough to handle students from Rockland, noting that the New York City campus could accommodate up to 3,000 students.

The college says that the move to New York City helps its mission because few Christian colleges operate in major cities in the US and therefore the college is going where there is a need. It also says that it plans to create strategic alliances in Manhattan to expand student internship opportunities. The move will also strengthen the college strategically and economically.

“Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary remain committed to empowering its graduates with an education that launches them into ministry, education, healing, and community-building professions around the world,” the college states on its website. “A return 'home' to New York City best positions the college for the future.”