EIU Media Relations

EIU accepting Lincoln College transfers

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University will accept Lincoln College students in the wake of Lincoln College’s unexpected closing, a university administrator shared Monday.

Josh Norman, associate vice president for Enrollment Management at EIU, says the university has taken steps to ensure those Lincoln College students needing to transfer to complete degree requirements are offered the opportunity to do so at EIU. While details will continue to be sorted on a case-by-case basis, Norman said, EIU stands committed to help as many Lincoln College students as they can.

To that end, Norman said, a plan was created in collaboration with Lincoln College and approved by the Higher Learning Commission designating Eastern as not only a transfer partner but a teach-out receiving institution. This ultimately means that Lincoln College students choosing to attend EIU will have access to more flexibility and increased student assistance as the institutions collaborate to best serve this student population. In addition, EIU will waive all application fees for Lincoln College transfers.

Justin Tierney, a member of EIU’s Enrollment Management team, has a deep history with Lincoln College, and agrees EIU could potentially be a great fit for its soon-to-be-displaced students.

“I have a special place in my heart for Lincoln College—including its faculty and staff,” Tierney said. “I wish all its students and employees nothing but the best as they navigate this unfortunate circumstance. And of course we’ll do all we can to assist with transitioning interested students to EIU, where and when possible, to complete their degrees.”

A native of Lincoln, Illinois, Tierney is a 2007 graduate of Lincoln College. He was employed at Lincoln College from 2010-13 and has been an EIU employee since 2016. Because of his close ties with Lincoln College, he has been designated the primary contact for managing the collaboration between the two institutions in the interim.

Earlier this month, Lincoln College – a private, liberal arts college in Central Illinois – announced it would officially close this May after 157 years of operation.

For Lincoln College students seeking information about EIU’s transfer process, visit https://www.eiu.edu/transfer/lincolncollege.php. For more information about EIU, visit the university’s website at www.eiu.edu, or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.