University of Mount Saint Vincent expands its commitment to social mobility through online learning

Executive summary

The University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) is answering the need for more qualified New York City teachers through the accessibility of online learning. With its fully online education programs, UMSV is helping teachers earn their credentials while continuing to work, reaching working adults who otherwise wouldn’t have enrolled. 

Key results

An institution rooted in inclusivity and access

In 1847, the University of Mount Saint Vincent was founded as the first institution to offer higher learning for women in New York, even before public colleges or high schools. Based on its history, the institution is rooted in inclusivity and access to education for marginalized groups. UMSV is committed to providing high-quality education to students in New York City and beyond and prides itself on providing a positive impact for its graduates, their employers, and the communities where they live and serve.  

Source: University of Mount Saint Vincent, “Mount Saint Vincent Featured by U.S. Department of Education” (2016)

A large part of UMSV’s impact lies in the School of Education. The university is a strong pipeline to New York City’s public, private, and charter schools, producing over 75,000 teachers, 1% of all New York City teachers. Even more importantly, as a federally designated minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution, UMSV nurtures teachers that look like and understand the students that they serve throughout New York. 

Being from New York, doing what I do, it’s such a very rewarding experience. I get to give back to the families and the children in my community.

Melanie Sanchez

B.A. Psychology, B.A. Spanish ’23, UMSV (in-person); M.Ed. ’26, UMSV (online)

You don’t do it for the money. You don’t do it for the prestige. You go into this work because you want to make a difference [and] you know the kids deserve someone who is knowledgeable.

Joshua Navos

M.Ed. Class of ’27, UMSV (online)

We’re able to put teachers in the classrooms who look like the students they’re serving, who understand the students they’re serving.

Dr. Paula Schmidt

Dean, School of Education, UMSV

Expanding impact through online learning

When Dr. Susan Burns became President of the University of Mount Saint Vincent in 2021, the institution had a limited number of online graduate programs. Dr. Burns recognized the importance of this gap—online learning would provide flexibility and convenience that traditional on-campus courses didn’t and would help the university reach a new audience of adult working learners. The flexibility of an online format is especially important for educators, many of which need to continue working full-time in classrooms while earning new credentials.  

In January of 2023, UMSV launched its first online programs in Business and Education in partnership with Risepoint. As a result, the institution reached students that otherwise wouldn’t enroll. With fully online programs, teachers are better able to earn credentials and advance their careers while working in schools full-time.  

The School of Education at University of Mount Saint Vincent is a really innovative program that meets our students where they’re at. Because our program is fully online, we are able to reach students who might not otherwise be Mount students.

Dr. Paula Schmidt

Dean, School of Education, UMSV

Many of our students work in schools. These programs give them the opportunity to advance their career while still working with the students that they know and love. They’re able to get credentials to earn a much more competitive salary with benefits in New York City.

Dr. Lynne Bongiovanni

Provost, Dean of Faculty, Professor of English, UMSV

Employer partnerships boost workforce relevance

University of Mount Saint Vincent partners with school districts in New York City, including Brilla Public Charter Schools, to expand access to education for working teachers. Brilla Public Charter Schools pays for several of its teachers to take online classes at UMSV while they continue to work full-time in classrooms in the Bronx.  

In working with schools in the area, the University of Mount Saint Vincent can ensure that programs are as relevant as possible to employer needs. Most importantly, UMSV witnesses first-hand how its programs impact the New York City community.  

Our students here at the University of Mount Saint Vincent understand that their education is not just for themselves. It’s for their family, their classroom, their employers, and the communities in which they live and serve.

Dr. Susan R. Burns

President, UMSV

I’m particularly gratified by the fact that the programs that we offer online are really designed to meet the demand in the communities and in the region that we work in.

Dr. Christobal F. Stewart, Jr.

Dean, College of Professional and Graduate Studies, UMSV

Conclusion

Through online learning, the University of Mount Saint Vincent has extended its mission of educational accessibility to working teachers who want to advance their careers without leaving the classroom. UMSV is building a model where access, quality, and workforce relevance reinforce one another. As more New York City educators grow while staying in the classroom, UMSV is well positioned to deepen its impact on students, teachers, and the communities they serve.