Iona To Offer Scholarships, Assistance To CNR Students

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Following The College of New Rochelle's statement Friday that the 115-year-old institution would likely close in the summer of 2019, Iona College announced plans to support CNR students. "Recognizing our shared mission, history and home in the City of New Rochelle, we believe it is vital to take steps to support students of The College of New Rochelle," said Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., president of Iona College.

"We are confident other area institutions will also work to support CNR students," he said.

Iona will provide special scholarships for CNR graduate students to transfer to similar Iona graduate programs including Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, School Psychology, Childhood Education, and Communication Sciences and Disorders, among others, according to a spokesman. Graduate students interested in speaking with a graduate transfer specialist are invited to email helpingstudents@iona.edu.

In addition, Iona will assist qualified undergraduate transfer students who wish to continue their studies in New Rochelle by offering special transfer credit reviews, tours and financial aid assistance. CNR undergraduate students and their families will be welcomed to the Iona campus during the next regularly scheduled Transfer Tuesday event at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 to tour the campus, and learn more about Iona academic programs, residential and campus life.

For additional information on undergraduate transfer admissions procedures and requirements, prospective students and families are invited to email Iona admissions counselor DJ Arndt or call Iona's Office of Admissions at 914-633-2502.

Iona has been increasingly investing in academic infrastructure to launch and enhance nationally recognized programs. This fall, the college announced that construction will soon be complete on its new state-of-the-art business school facility, which will serve its nationally recognized and AACSB-accredited LaPenta School of Business. The college also recently launched the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, a graduate program in Speech Language Pathology, and a new Occupational Therapy graduate program that will welcome its first class this fall.

As Iona continues to enhance its academic portfolio, particularly in the area of Allied Health Sciences, it announces the hiring of Debra A. Simons, Ph.D., RN, CNE, CHSE, CCM, as director of Allied Health Initiatives. Simons currently serves as dean of the School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions at The College of New Rochelle and will join the Iona community March 4.

"Building on our growing presence in health science and allied healthcare programs, and in recognition of the national nursing shortage, we look forward to working with Dr. Simons to expand our current programs to include additional allied health programs," said Darrell P. Wheeler, Ph.D., MPH, ACSW, Iona College provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. "The announcement by CNR of their summer closure underscores the need for nursing in our area, as well as a continued pipeline to ensure local workforce needs are met."

"I look forward to working with the Iona community to launch the highest quality nursing and allied health programs to train future healthcare professionals who will move the world," said Simons.

Get New Rochelle Patch’s daily newsletters and news alerts right in your inbox. Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.