Campus closing: Troy University Board of Trustees votes to cease operations in Phenix City
Troy University is closing its Phenix City campus.
The Troy University Board of Trustees voted to cease operations at the campus effective Dec. 31, the university announced Monday.
After establishing a satellite office at Fort Benning in 1974, Troy opened a campus next to Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 1975. That campus moved to its current location, 1510 Whitewater Ave., on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee River in 2015.
“Today, with the growing demand for online education, the need for a physical campus has changed,” the university’s news release says.
Troy, however, still will have a presence in the Columbus area. The university will continue to conduct classes at Fort Moore, formerly named Fort Benning but renamed Monday back to Fort Benning.
Why Troy University is closing Phenix City campus
Troy cited a Hechinger Report that says, during the past 20 years, nearly 900 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have ceased operations, resulting in the closure of more than 9,000 campuses and locations. The data show that universities must adapt to an evolving higher education marketplace, said Troy chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr.
“Troy University’s Phenix City Campus has played a vital role in our mission and educational outreach for over five decades, significantly contributing to higher education in East Alabama,” Hawkins said in the news release. “However, as more adult learners shift toward online and flexible learning options, demand for traditional in-person instruction at satellite locations has declined.
“This decision was not made lightly, and I am profoundly grateful to the faculty, staff, students, and community leaders who have built the Phenix City Campus’s legacy of excellence.”
Analysis of operational costs, enrollment trends and institutional priorities were considered in the decision, Hawkins said.
“Technology has changed the way we live, including how we deliver education, but our commitment to students in the Phenix City area — including those at Fort Moore— remains as strong as ever,” he said. “We may not have a physical campus, but we’re not going anywhere. We will continue to serve this community.”
How closing affects Troy-Phenix City students, faculty and staff
The board authorized Hawkins to develop and implement a transition plan to ensure Troy-Phenix City students can complete their academic programs without disruption. The plan also will help faculty and staff in their professional transitions, with the hope many employees will to new roles within the university or continue their roles online, according to the news release.
Students enrolled at Troy’s Phenix City campus will receive support to complete their degrees online or at other Troy locations. The university will collaborate with state and local leaders to find a new occupant for the riverfront building, the news release says.
Troy will continue to operate satellite campuses in Dothan and Montgomery.
Phenix City mayor’s reaction to Troy campus closing
Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe shared with the Ledger-Enquirer his reaction to the news of Troy deciding to close the campus.
“Anytime you lose any organization or business you hate that, but you have to understand, with businesses and organizations, things ebb and flow,” he said.
Troy owns the campus building and property, Lowe said, and he hasn’t had or heard of any discussions about its next purpose — but he mentioned a possibility when asked whether Chattahoochee Valley Community College could use it.
“You would think it would be an educational institution — and when I say that, I don’t mean just another college but maybe our school system — because that’s what it was built for and designed,” he said.
The Ledger-Enquirer tried to contact Phenix City Board of Education chairwoman Yolaunda Daniel and superintendent Janet Sherrod to comment about that speculation, but they weren’t reached before publication.
CVCC public information officer Betsy Bishop told the L-E in an email, “Chattahoochee Valley Community College is not in a position to comment on a potential acquisition of the Troy University building at this time. If anything changes regarding this situation, we will make an appropriate statement then.”
Phenix City economic development manager’s reaction to Troy campus closing
Shaun Culligan, the Phenix City economic development manager, told the L-E in an email he was saddened by the news of the Troy campus closing.
“City officials and department leaders have actively engaged with Troy University leadership, both local and from the main campus, as well as with the consultants the university hired to assess this decision,” he said. “Throughout these discussions, the City emphasized the importance of Troy maintaining a physical presence in Phenix City and the positive impact that the university has had on our students, businesses, and workforce. Despite our efforts to highlight these benefits, the university ultimately determined that shifting enrollment trends and operational challenges made closure necessary.”
Phenix City is committed to ensuring the riverfront campus continues to be an asset to the community, Culligan said.
“As Troy University transitions out of this facility, we will work with its administration, local and state leaders, and private sector partners to identify new opportunities for the space that will benefit Phenix City,” he said. “We believe Troy’s riverfront campus has the potential to remain a hub for education, innovation, and economic development.
“Whether through attracting another institution, repurposing it for workforce development, or utilizing it for business incubation — or the like, we will work with Troy’s leadership, at their discretion, to explore every avenue to maximize the impact of this facility.”
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 6:53 PM.
