FAMU forges a partnership with a NY college facing 'serious' accreditation issues

FAMU, on Tuesday, announced a new academic partnership with the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY), creating a direct pathway for business graduates of the college to earn a master’s .degree from FAMU. But the agreement comes as MCNY is fighting to retain its accreditation amid serious financial instability, raising serious questions about the preparedness of new FAMU president Marva Johnson's review process.

Under the agreement, graduates of MCNY’s Bachelor of Business Administration program with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher will receive application fee waivers, specialized advising, and eligibility for financial aid. Representatives of both institutions praised the collaboration as an opportunity to broaden access and strengthen academic offerings in logistics and technology.

Accreditation experts and faculty governance leaders, however, expressed alarm that FAMU would formally align itself with an institution in such a precarious standing — a decision they say  reflects poorly on FAMU’s administrative oversight.

“Entering into an articulation agreement with a college under show cause is highly unusual and raises immediate red flags,” said Jane Hoffman, a former director of institutional accreditation at Columbia University. “It suggests either a failure of basic due diligence or a conscious decision to ignore glaring structural problems. Students assume their pathway is secure — but if MCNY loses accreditation, those credits may not transfer, and FAMU could be at risk.”

Another deal brokered by Montgomery
The partnership appears to have been facilitated by Rufus Montgomery, the controversial former chair of FAMU’s board of trustees, whose involvement has drawn skepticism from faculty and alumni familiar with his tenure. Mr. Montgomery, a polarizing figure who was often at odds with faculty and administrative leadership during his time on the board.  With Johnson at the helm, Mr. Montgomery has reemerged as an influential figure despite widespread criticism of his past management style.

Under the terms of the “show cause” order, MCNY was tasked with showing compliance with accreditation standards by this past September. A team from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCNY's regional accrediting body) will visit the campus before rendering a final decision on the college's status next month (November 2025). Until then, it remains accredited, though under a cloud of uncertainty.

Third worst college/university in NY
Metropolitan College of New York has been ranked among the lowest-performing colleges in the state of NY, placing third from the bottom in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings. The college was positioned within the #150–164 range out of 170 Regional Universities in the North, a categorization that reflects its challenges across metrics including graduation rates and academic resources. 

Some at FAMU are concerned that this partnership further demonstrates that Ms. Johnson is woefully unprepared for her role, unfamiliar with higher education --- a frequent criticism during the presidential search process--- and appears to be prioritizing her relationship with Mr. Montgomery over common sense and a thorough review process.

“This isn’t just about adding another partner—it’s about protecting our reputation, our students, and our brand” said one senior faculty member in the School of Business and Industry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “We’re stitching our brand to an institution that might not exist in its current form in few months.  Did anyone ask the tough questions? Or was this pushed through by people more interested in a press release and a photo op than a well-thought-out  partnership agreement?”

The partnership is set to take effect next spring 2026. By then, MCNY’s fate — and the wisdom of FAMU’s gamble — may already be decided.