Across the Pond: Two York Colleges Forge Meaningful Transatlantic Partnership
In a groundbreaking collaboration that bridges the Atlantic, York College of Pennsylvania has officially partnered with York College & University Centre in Yorkshire, England.
The York College initiative, aptly described as a connection "from one York to another," marks the beginning of an educational alliance to enhance opportunities for students and faculty across both institutions.
The partnership was signed as a Memorandum of Understanding between Dr. Thomas Burns, President of York College of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Ken Merry, Principal and Chief Executive of York College & University Centre. Dr. Burns traveled to Yorkshire, a historic city in northeast England, to tour the campus, sign the memorandum, and lay the groundwork for this international collaboration.
Following Dr. Burns' visit, Dr. Merry accepted an invitation to explore the Pennsylvania campus, allowing both leaders to gain insights into each other’s teaching practices and educational offerings.
The idea for this transatlantic connection began when Dr. Merry reached out to Dr. Burns last June. Dr. Burns immediately recognized the potential and embraced the opportunity. Beyond the shared name, the two institutions have deep historical ties—York College of Pennsylvania dates back to 1787, while York College & University Centre is approaching its 200th anniversary in two years.
“While some of our most established programs are in high demand, we take pride in being an all-service college with opportunities across the board,” Dr. Burns said. He further emphasized the substance behind the partnership, saying, “It could easily be seen as a lovely gimmick – York College partnering with York College – but it’s going to be much more substantial than that because that’s what we’re interested in doing.”
Dr. Merry echoed this sentiment, noting the immediate alignment between the institutions' curriculum and the enthusiasm shared by faculty and staff. “We have spoken extensively about how we could organize exchange programs that will see our students go over to Pennsylvania and vice versa, so they can all benefit from the different cultural experiences,” he said. “It is also exciting to see the potential for our students to visit the range of world-famous cities near York, such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. This would add to the richness of their visit and allow them to engage in cultural experiences that they would not otherwise get at home in York, North Yorkshire.”
The partnership is already taking shape, with students from Pennsylvania expected to go to Yorkshire as early as this academic year.
Students coming to Pennsylvania from the UK may start arriving in the 2025/26 academic year; pending funding, but Dr. Merry remains fully committed to making it a reality.
The Memorandum of Understanding emphasizes that this partnership is designed to be mutually beneficial, stating that the agreement “should be mutually beneficial and promote the global opportunities for the communities of York (Pennsylvania or Yorkshire) that are available in the 21st century.”
With a strong foundation, both institutions look forward to fostering a long-term relationship that will enrich students’ educational journeys and create lasting international ties.
To learn more about York College & University Centre, visit its website.
