One of only three institutions of higher education in the United States established by the Order of Felician Sisters, Felician University was founded in Lodi, New Jersey, on July 5, 1923. Initially known as Immaculate Conception Normal School, with a mission of training teachers, the institution evolved into a teaching college in May 1935, approved by and affiliated with the Catholic University of America. The school reorganized as a junior college in 1941, and on March 26, 1942, was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey as Immaculate Conception Junior College.
Sister Mary Virginette Chlebowska became President of Immaculate Conception Junior College in 1959. In December 1963, the State Department of Education granted the College the power to confer, in its own name, the degree of Associate in Arts. In 1964, the College began admitting laywomen, and a year later, started running a two-year Nursing program, which had been transferred to it by Saint Mary’s Hospital in East Orange, NJ.
Sister Mary Justitia Lawniczka succeeded Sister Mary Virginette as president in 1965.
In 1967, the College changed its name to Felician College and started offering a four-year Elementary Teacher Education program. Additional programs were added for academic degrees and continuing education. An undertaking of facilities expansion resulted in the library and an auditorium-classroom building. Curriculum developed over the next decades, mainly in the areas of Nursing, Business, and Education. In the early 1980s, during Sister Mary Hiltrude Koba’s presidency, the College established a Computer Science Center and introduced programs in this field.
Under the leadership of Sister Theresa Mary Martin (presidency 1984-2012), programs broadened to offer Weekend Classes, off-campus sites, and partnerships with other institutions, as well as degrees in fields including the Natural Sciences and Humanities. In 1986, the College became coeducational. Recognizing the need for student support services, Felician opened a Childcare Center, a Center for Learning, and a Nursing Resource Center. In 1995, Felician College received permission from the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education to offer graduate programs, starting with the MSN in Nursing. More academic offerings emerged, both on the graduate and undergraduate levels, including Fast-Track Nursing, expansion of options in the Education degree, and off-site locations.
The College developed its virtual presence starting in 1996, with a website, Internet and email for students and faculty, and Distance Learning courses. The Athletics program began in 1996, with basketball for both male and female students, a men’s soccer team, and a women’s softball team. The Felician College Athletic Program gained full membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II in the Fall of 2002. Facility development continued, with the completion of Kirby Hall in 1994 and the purchase of the Rutherford campus from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1997. The College updated the Little Theater on the Rutherford Campus, finishing it in 2005. In 2004, the Office for Mission Integration was established to promote the continuance of the Felician Franciscan identity and heritage of the College in all aspects of the collegiate experience. Webcasting from the student-run radio station, WRFC, started in 2006. Support services also increased, such as the JumpStart program offered by the Center for Academic Support Services. Starting in 2009, veteran students found enhanced benefits through the College’s status as a recognized Yellow Ribbon, Purple Heart, and Military Friendly University.
Dr. Anne Prisco assumed the presidency of Felician College in July 2012. That fall, the College’s Divisions were reorganized as Schools. Iviswold Castle opened in the Spring of 2013 after a 14-year renovation. Concurrently, work began on the Education Commons on the Rutherford campus, a project that incorporated a high-tech ELibrary, Nursing Resource Center, and classrooms. More academic programs emerged, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Communications, Criminal Justice, additional options in Teacher Education, and Fast-Track Nursing. The College entered into articulation agreements with multiple community colleges for transfer students and with universities for joint programs. On September 24, 2015, Felician College received approval from the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education to change its name to Felician University. At this point, the institution had transformed from a junior college in 1941 into an institution that offered 16 master’s, 4 post-bachelor or post-master’s certificates, and 2 doctoral degree programs.
In June 2020, Dr. Prisco stepped down as president of Felician University. After an interim period under Dr. Sylvia McGeary and Admiral James W. Crawford III, James Crawford III was appointed president in June 2021. Although the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March 2020, presented multiple challenges, instruction continued, initially exclusively online, to comply with the New Jersey governor’s Executive Order. In 2021, the Standing COVID Committee was formed of faculty and key staff members to assess the ongoing situation and communicate with the Felician community. In-person classes and activities resumed that fall.
On the Rutherford campus, the Montross Avenue parking lot was upgraded, and the Wellness and Recreation (WaRC) Center was built. The U.S. Department of Education awarded Felician University a $4.46 million FIESTA Grant in September 2021 to foster student success, retention, and graduation rates among Latinx and low-income students in STEM. In March of 2023, the institution joined the Presidents for Latino Student Success network, sponsored by Excelencia in Education. The university became recognized for its diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), having underrepresented students comprise more than half of the student population. More articulation agreements arose, both with other institutions of higher education and with area high schools. The Athletics program expanded to include, among other sports, wrestling, and women’s swimming.
Dr. Mildred Mihlon assumed the acting presidency of Felician University following James Crawford III’s departure in April 2023. She currently is leading the Felician community via the Roadmap 25 and Strategic Plan, which includes increasing enrollment and retention, exercising fiscal discipline, offering relevant academic programs, and attracting annual giving, to position the University for future growth and success.
