I am writing to share historic news about the future of Wagner College. As of today, the College has completed the purchase of the Grymes Hill campus most recently occupied by St. John’s University, and formerly by Notre Dame College.
With this acquisition of 16.5 acres and 10 academic and administrative buildings, we expand our campus, and make critical investments in our current and future academic programs. At a time of challenge for higher education institutions, Wagner continues to make bold changes and forge its own path to success.
In our strategic planning, we identified the need for cutting-edge learning environments, makerspaces, and additional facilities so we can introduce new majors. This acquisition positions Wagner to leverage these opportunities as early as this fall — faster than any new construction or renovation project on campus could ever achieve.
Just as importantly, this investment gives us the flexibility to reimagine how our academic programs are organized and delivered in the years ahead, all to keep pace with the needs of current and future students, their families, the workforce and indeed society as a whole.
Finally, at a time of great disruption in higher education, we are making a bold statement about Wagner’s future as an institution that continues to adapt to meet the needs of our students, as well as to further define the role we play on Staten Island, New York City, and the region.
We recognize that Wagner’s historic campus has its own important legacy and meaning. We see this acquisition as an investment in “one campus,” expanding the footprint of our Grymes Hill identity. We will be teaching classes, holding office hours, eating, practicing and hanging out on this expanded “one campus” starting this fall. Fall 2026 classes are already being scheduled with an eye to ensure we facilitate students moving between classes — a one-minute car or shuttle ride away.
Over the coming months, we will continue what has already been a deliberate planning process to determine how best to align this investment with our strategic priorities. While there is still much to do to prepare for this fall, I want to note the enormous amount of work that has been done to get us to this moment, and to thank those who have played critical roles. The college’s leadership team and Board of Trustees have worked tirelessly to meet the space needs that this acquisition addresses — and do so in a manner that best leverages our endowment and our landholdings to finance it. I also want to thank the many offices on campus who have been working diligently to ensure the expansion takes into account campus safety, the IT network, landscaping / maintenance, and branding, among many other considerations.
This is an important moment in the life of Wagner — one that reflects both confidence in our future and a clear commitment to serving our students in new and meaningful ways. To mark this milestone, we will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 20. Additional details will be shared shortly, and I hope many of you will be able to join us.
Go Seahawks!
Jeffrey Doggett, Ed.D.
President
