Leaders at Soka University of America, based in Orange County, are in exclusive negotiations with Middlebury College officials for the potential acquisition of the campus of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) and some graduate programs, each institution announced on Monday, May 11.
The boards of both schools have signed letters of intent for the purchase (no pending price has been disclosed) and are entering into a due diligence phase, expected to take up to 60 days, with an option to extend that time period if needed.
If the deal closes, Soka has committed to using the name Monterey Institute of International Studies at Soka University of America.
Middlebury’s leadership announced last August that the Vermont-based liberal arts college would be closing down most MIIS programs by the end of the spring 2027 semester. Middlebury officials said they would be open to a possible acquisition by another institution if an offer came along, and Soka President Ed Feasel approached Middlebury last fall about the potential to add a Northern California graduate school to the Southern California undergraduate, liberal arts school’s offerings.
“If Soka was going to build a graduate program in these spaces, this is what we would want to create,” Feasel says. “Our mission is to foster global citizens who lead contributing lives.”
The school was founded 25 years ago and offers undergrad degrees in liberal arts, with a focus on global learning. Soka-style education was founded in Japan and the word in Japanese means “to create value.” Soka-style schools in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea offer education from kindergarten through graduate school.
Of the Aliso Viejo campus’ 500 students, roughly half are international.
Soka plans to maintain original, core programs at MIIS, including nonproliferation studies and threat intelligence; translation and localization management; and international policy and development/global governance.
The proposal also calls for the acquisition of the entire Monterey campus. (Feasel says this may accommodate space for Soka to grow, and Soka does not intend to sell off any buildings.)
A price for the acquisition has not been disclosed.
Since Middlebury acquired MIIS beginning in 2005, the Vermont campus found that the grad school was a money loser. Asked what will be different for Soka, also an undergraduate institution, Feasel points to geographic proximity on the West Coast and a programmatic alignment; already, 20 alumni from Soka have gone through MIIS programs. “I am excited about synergy,” he says.
The acquisition would give Soka a chance to add a graduate school without starting from scratch. And there is also a passion for keeping the programs going. “Everybody felt it was a shame that these programs would disappear, that they’ve done such amazing work over time,” Feasel says.
He believes they can turn around the declining enrollment trend: “We are optimistic these are important programs and there is demand out there for them. Faculty are ready to get engaged with the recruiting process.”
A Middlebury spokesperson did not respond to the Weekly on Monday afternoon.
According to a statement from Middlebury President Ian Baucom, a town hall meeting with the campus community on Thursday, May 14 will provide additional information to faculty, staff and students.
“We know that this news will raise important questions on its short- and long-term practical implications, particularly for students, staff, and faculty at the Institute,” Baucom wrote.
Some MIIS staff have already been laid off in the intended wind-down to a 2027 closure date, including recruitment and admissions staff since Middlebury stopped those efforts. Feasel says there is a possibility of rehiring those who were terminated, since admissions and recruiting will be revived right away.