Change in Ownership: What the Elon–Queens Merger Means for You

To: All Current and Admitted Students of Queens University of Charlotte
From: Jesse J. Cureton, Acting President, Queens University of Charlotte
Date: March 30, 2026
Subject: Change in Ownership: What the Elon–Queens Merger Means for You

As we announced in September 2025, Queens University of Charlotte and Elon University plan to unite as one institution. This is an exciting moment – one rooted in a shared commitment to students, to the Charlotte community, and to a bold vision for the future of both institutions.

We are sending this notice in part because federal rules require it when two universities merge. More importantly, we want you to understand exactly what is happening, when it is happening, and what it means for you.

The short version: your education will continue without interruption at an institution that will be strengthened from the merger. The longer version is below.

The merger will occur in two steps.

Queens and Elon will integrate in two steps. Why two steps? U.S. Department of Education guidance requires that mergers happen in two distinct steps. The time between Step One and Step Two will enable Queens and Elon to work together effectively to integrate operations, campus cultures, and best practices to ensure a smooth transition for students and their respective communities. Here is what each step means.

Step One: Queens Continues as Queens

In Step One, the institutions will transition to a new structure, with Elon becoming the sole member of Queens. Under the “sole member” structure, both institutions will continue to operate separately, with separate leadership, including having their own boards. The sole member structure will allow the institutions to share services and administrative functions and create common processes that will serve the merged institution later in Step Two.

During this time, some regulatory approvals will still be pending. Queens and Elon will have separate recognition from its institutional accreditor—the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (“SACSCOC”)—as well as from the U.S. Department of Education and other regulators. Queens will remain a separate, degree-granting educational institution.

Step One will conclude after Elon and Queens receive all appropriate regulatory approvals. This will include the U.S. Department of Education approving the transaction as a “change in ownership that results in a change of control.” Although we cannot predict the timeline for this approval, historically, the process has taken approximately two years from the beginning of Step One – here, from June 29, 2026.

FAQ — Step One

Q: What does Step One mean for me right now as a Queens student?
The answer is: very little will change in your day-to-day experience. Specifically:

• You will still be a student enrolled in your current program at Queens University of Charlotte.
• You will continue to have access to attend the same classes in the same manner as you did before Step One occurred.
• You will continue to receive the same high-quality education.

Q: Will my financial aid be affected by Step One?
No. Queens will continue to participate in U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid and other financial aid programs throughout Step One. Queens will submit to the Department an application for approval of the change in ownership and control at Step One.

Q: Will Queens still be accredited during Step One?
Yes. Queens and Elon both have a long history of excellence in accreditation and that will continue throughout this entire process. Both institutions have notified SACSCOC of the planned merger and have worked with SACSCOC to submit an application for its approval of the change. Queens will maintain its separate accreditation in good standing throughout Step One.

Q: What university name will appear on my diploma if I graduate between Step One and Step Two?
If you complete your program and otherwise fulfill all applicable academic requirements after the date of the Step One transaction but before Step Two, you will receive a degree from Queens University of Charlotte.

Q: Is there a student voice in this process?
Yes. Queens and Elon share the fundamental tenet that students are at the heart of everything we do. Queens has a longstanding practice of engaging students in dialogue and our leadership, starting with me and extending across campus, are committed to continuing that legacy. To further support this legacy, the board structure after Step One will include a youth trustee who is a recent graduate of Queens to represent the student body of the Queens campus.

Queens has hosted listening sessions and provided regular updates to students since the September 2025 announcement that Queens and Elon planned to join together to form a stronger, single, comprehensive university. We are committed to continuing regular communication to students and the broader community.

Step Two: Queens and Elon Become One

Following U.S. Department of Education approval of the Step One transaction, Elon and Queens will move forward with Step Two, the merger of the two institutions, subject to approval of educational regulatory agencies. Once those approvals are obtained, Queens will no longer be a separate, degree-granting educational institution and will become an additional location of Elon. The Queens campus will continue to operate – keeping its home in Charlotte, its community roots, and the traditions that make Queens special, now backed by the combined support, programs, and communities of both institutions.

As we have communicated previously, the naming of the legacy Queens University of Charlotte campus following Step Two, the completed merger, is still under review and has not been determined. Both Queens and Elon are committed to honoring the Queens name as part of our combined future.

FAQ — Step Two

Q: What does Step Two mean for me as a student?
After Step Two is approved, you will be enrolled as a student of Elon University. You will be studying on the Queens campus in Charlotte, with access to the academic resources, support services, and community of the two combined institutions.

Q: What university name will appear on my diploma if I graduate after Step Two is approved?
If you complete your program and otherwise fulfill all applicable academic requirements after Step Two is approved, you will receive a degree from Elon University. Current plans are for the design of the diploma to include a Queens campus designation and the current Queens University seal and motto.

Q: What will happen to athletics after Step Two is approved?
Both Queens and Elon offer NCAA Division I athletic, varsity club, intramural and recreational sports programs. Queens and Elon are planning to pursue with the NCAA the ability to continue to operate independent Division I NCAA athletics programs on both campuses after Step Two.

Q: I’ve been admitted to Queens—how will the merger affect me?
Great news: students who enroll at Queens in Fall 2026 will join an institution grounded in community and tradition that is aimed squarely at the future. Students admitted to Queens will enroll in Queens programs for Fall 2026 and continue in those programs – studying on the Queens campus, with Queens faculty, in Queens programs. As we move into Step Two, students will join the merged Queens and Elon community.

Q: Is there any chance that plans will change?
Queens and Elon recognize that the regulatory environment and other external factors can change in ways that are difficult to predict. The U.S. Department of Education’s requirements and guidance around mergers and changes in ownership resulting in changes of control do evolve from time to time, and — as with any complex undertaking — the unexpected can occasionally occur.

If anything significant changes from the plans explained here — whether in timeline, process, or structure — we will communicate that to you clearly, promptly, and honestly, just as we have worked to do from the beginning of this process.

Queens and Elon remain confident in the path toward merger and that they will be stronger together. Our unwavering commitment to your education, your degree, and your future is the constant. Everything else we will navigate together.

Questions? We Have Answers.

We have compiled a detailed FAQ to address the questions students are asking most frequently and we continue to update the general website. Current students may submit questions and comments to studentlife@queens.edu. Admitted students may submit questions and comments to admissions@queens.edu.

This is an exciting and positive step for Queens — and you are at the center. We are committed to making this transition as smooth, transparent, and supportive as possible for every student on this campus.