North Central College will change its name to North Central University Naperville on July 1, 2027, university officials announced Monday. The rebranding effort aims to more accurately reflect the institution’s status as a private, four-year university offering both undergraduate and graduate programs, while also enhancing its recognition in the competitive higher education market.
The 165-year-old institution, located in Naperville, Illinois, is responding to a shifting demographic landscape. Despite experiencing record enrollment for the third consecutive year, the university faces regional challenges, including a projected 16% decline in high school graduates across the Midwest by 2041. Illinois is expected to see an even steeper drop of 32%, prompting university leaders to adopt a forward-looking strategy.
“To sit back and say, ‘Because you are doing well today means you are going to do well for the next 10 years,’ is beyond foolish,” said North Central President Abiódún Gòkè-Paríolá. “That is precisely the time you find, ‘What other quivers can I add?’”
The name change was initially explored in 2024 after years of intermittent discussion. Jim Godo, vice president for communication and marketing and an alumnus, noted that the “college” designation has sometimes caused confusion, leading prospective students to mistake North Central for a community college. As the institution expanded its advanced degree offerings in recent years, particularly in fields such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing, the university title was seen as a better fit to convey the school’s academic breadth.
The inclusion of “Naperville” in the new name is intended to highlight the university’s location in one of Illinois’s most desirable and safest cities, a factor officials believe will attract students and boost the city’s educational reputation.
While the update marks a significant shift, the university will retain "North Central" in the name to honor its long-standing history and alumni connections. The college has carried the North Central name for more than a century.
“The preservation of North Central in the name was very, very important to us,” Godo said. “I myself am a graduate, and I’m just so proud of my alma mater and so proud that I get to talk about North Central University Naperville.”
The name transition will be phased in over several years, with priority given to revising the university’s website, signage, and marketing materials. An updated logo and additional branding elements are expected to be unveiled in the coming months. Degrees awarded before the official name change will still bear the North Central College designation.
In addition to the renaming, North Central recently broke ground on a new Student Commons building. The facility will feature a 60,000-square-foot space dedicated to dining and student activities, including a 30,000-square-foot dining hall anticipated to open in November 2027.