An Important Update from The Modern College of Design

Dear Students,

It is with sincere regret that I inform you that The Modern College of Design will stop delivering instruction on June 2, when students complete their externships, and permanently close on June 23, 2026.

The Modern is closing because we can no longer support the operations due to enrollment challenges. Over time, we have worked hard to try to address these challenges by, for example, improving our operations and introducing new programs. Despite these efforts to evolve and grow, we have not achieved the stability needed to be able to continue. As a result, closing has become the most responsible path forward. This has been a difficult, but necessary, decision.  

We are coordinating all aspects of this transition with our accreditor, state regulators, and the U.S. Department of Education.

Before I share how we will support you through this transition, I want to thank you for being part of The Modern. Your education and growth have meant a great deal to us, and we are grateful for the creativity, dedication, and passion you have brought to our community.

Physical Campus

Our physical campus will close on May 4. Operations will transition to remote delivery, and faculty and staff will continue to support students virtually. If you need to retrieve items from campus, please contact Korinne Toadvine.

Externships

The Modern’s Spring Term and Intercession will continue as scheduled. Students scheduled to begin externships will report to their employers on May 6, either on-site or remotely, and will complete their experience on June 2 as scheduled, with full academic credit.

Current Students

• The Modern will not offer the summer semester.
• The Modern will refund tuition or fees paid for the summer term in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
• We are developing transfer agreements with local and online college partners that offer design programs. We will assist you through the transfer process and share additional information as soon as we finalize details. Students are not required to participate in any transfer option and may choose the path that best meets their individual needs.
• We are making arrangements to securely store student records. Before the College closes, we will provide clear instructions on how to request transcripts and access your records in the future.
• We will also assist students participating in the Collegiate Housing Services (CHS) program with their housing needs.

Graduates

We recognize that this transition changes important milestones you have been working toward, and we are committed to honoring your achievements in meaningful ways.

• We will present Reveal as an online experience beginning June 5 to reach a broader audience, and we will promote the graduates to potential employers.
• We will celebrate our graduates through a virtual Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 7. Graduates will receive their final transcript and diploma by mail following the ceremony.
• Career Services will remain available to support graduates through June 23. Katie Looney, Director of Career Services, will work with graduates to provide the resources they need to launch their careers.

Federal Student Aid

Students who are unable to complete their program may be eligible to apply for a Closed School Discharge through the U.S. Department of Education, which may result in federal student loan forgiveness. You can learn more at studentaid.gov.

Student Support

We are here to support you and your family through this transition and have designated the following staff members to assist you:

Korinne Toadvine
Transfer options and transcripts
‍korinne.toadvine@themodern.edu

Katie Looney
Externships, career services, and student support
‍katie.looney@themodern.edu

Karl Wietlisbach
Financial aid, student loans, and housing
‍karl.wietlisbach@themodern.edu

Ongoing Updates

We encourage you to monitor www.themodern.edu for updates. In the coming days, we will continue to share additional information regarding your academic status, transfer opportunities, and available support services.

For immediate questions, please call 937-294-0592.

Please know that this news does not diminish your talent, the skills you have developed, or your ability to build a meaningful and successful career. I hope that you will carry forward the creativity and experiences you gained at The Modern.

As an alum, serving as President of The Modern College of Design has been my greatest honor. Please know that I will continue to support you during this transition.

United in Design,
Jessica Barry
President
The Modern College of Design

Why is The Modern closing?
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Fueled by passion. united in design.