A 165-year-old college in the western suburbs is changing its name, with plans to drop “college,” add “university” and make its location more prominent.
Naperville’s North Central College Board of Trustees voted Oct. 15 to change the school’s name from North Central College, or NCC, to North Central University Naperville, the school announced. The change officially goes into effect July, 1, 2027.
In a statement, school president Abiódún Gòkè-Paríolá said the name change of the 165-year-old school reflects the institution’s “wide range of opportunities that we offer to our students, including an extensive portfolio or undergraduate and graduate programs, and professional pathways.”
Gòkè-Paríolá said “university” better reflects the school’s academic profile and scope. Adding Naperville to the name provides “geographic clarity and market differentiation,” the statement said, citing Naperville’s frequent appearances on nationwide lists of best places to live.
Gòkè-Paríolá said the change was made after conversations with stakeholders, board and senior leadership and was “informed by data.” An FAQ posted to the college’s website also said the school gathered feedback from donors, corporate partners, prospective students, the Alumni Board and more.
It comes as North Central reported three consecutive years of record enrollment.
“Over the past decade, the College has introduced nine advanced clinical practice programs and two post-graduate programs within the fields of athletic training, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and nursing, providing a significant increase in North Central’s graduate student population,” Gòkè-Paríolá said.
The school was founded in 1861 as Plainfield College. The name changed in 1864 to North-Western College, and then again in 1926 to North Central College, which school officials said distinguished itself from Northwestern University in Evanston and better reflected its place within the Evangelical church.
“For more than 150 years, North Central College students from different faith traditions have united as a campus community where mutual respect produces vibrant discussion and collective action,” the school’s website said. “Affiliated with the United Methodist Church and rooted in the Christian tradition, North Central encourages students to ask questions and develop their personal faith during this spiritually pivotal time in their lives.”
The name change drew mixed reactions on social media.
US News & World Report, which frequently ranks schools across the country, noted universities are typically larger and have more opportunities for research, while colleges tend to have smaller class sizes and fewer degree options.
According to the school’s website, North Central has more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate majors as well as 74 undergraduate minors and concentrations. It also offers 29 graduate degree and certificate programs.
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