Key Takeaways
- Labouré College will lay off 65 employees before closing its Milton campus.
- Current students will complete their degrees through Curry College.
- Curry College will continue Labouré’s nursing programs and healthcare mission.
Labouré College is laying off 65 employees as it prepares to close its Milton campus by the end of August and transition its academic programs to Curry College following an acquisition announced in February. The move comes after years of financial and enrollment challenges, while current students will complete their degrees at Curry College.
Labouré Winds Down Operations Before Campus Closure
Labouré College has notified Massachusetts officials that Labouré College layoffs will impact 65 employees will lose their jobs as the private healthcare college winds down operations ahead of its transition to Curry College.
The Milton-based institution announced in February that it would close after determining it could no longer overcome persistent financial and enrollment challenges. The campus is scheduled to cease operations by the end of August.
“This decision was a hard one to make,” Labouré College President Lily Hsu said in a statement released when the closure was announced.
Hsu said the college’s board focused on protecting students and preserving the school’s legacy during negotiations with Curry College.
Students and Nursing Programs Move to Curry
Current Labouré students will have the opportunity to complete their degree programs at nearby Curry College in Milton under the transition agreement.
Labouré’s nursing programs will become part of Curry College, which also plans to establish the Labouré Center for Advancing Healthcare Opportunity. The center is intended to continue supporting adult learners, English language learners, and healthcare workers seeking additional education and career advancement.
“In reaching the agreement with Curry, the Board prioritized the Labouré student experience and the legacy of the college, which has served Greater Boston for more than 130 years,” Hsu said.
Federal education data show Labouré enrolled about 530 undergraduate students in 2024. The college employed 23 full-time faculty members and 71 part-time faculty members while offering certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in nursing and healthcare.
Hiring Plans Leave Questions About Affected Workers
Curry College plans to hire about 15 members of Labouré’s nursing faculty and approximately 20 staff members, according to Higher Ed Dive.
It remains unclear whether any of those employees are included among the 65 workers identified in the layoff notice filed with the state. Labouré College did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking clarification.
“While I no doubt share your disappointment that the college must end its academic operations, I am comforted that the Labouré mission continues and Labouré nurses will remain essential to the health and wellness of our community for years to come,” Hsu wrote.
The transition is expected to preserve Labouré’s nursing education mission while allowing Curry College to expand its healthcare education offerings after Labouré’s campus closes.
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