WHY CHANGE?
In 2012, following Middlebury’s most recent reaccreditation, we decided to act on two recommendations made by the accreditors. The first was that we revisit our board governance structure. We did this, and a new board structure went into effect last July. The second was that we clarify the relationship among all of Middlebury’s schools and programs. This leads us to the announcement today—January 7, 2015—that we are introducing a new Middlebury identity system. What you will see and learn about on this site is the result of a process that has taken more than a year and has benefited from the input of students, alumni, faculty, and staff. We hope you will take a few minutes to see how it all came together.
OUR NEW NAME
The inspiration for the merger between Middlebury and the Monterey Institute was obvious: Middlebury is well known for its preeminent global and language-based programs, and Monterey offers master’s-level professional degrees with a focus on language. Joining forces, they provide programs for a wide range of students focusing on language-based studies and careers.
With its name change, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey is now under the same umbrella as all of Middlebury’s schools and programs, strengthening a relationship that is rich, rewarding, and filled with promise for the future.
OUR NEW SHIELD
The new Institute shield comes from a larger project that Middlebury has undertaken to standardize the identity of its schools and programs. But there is a difference. While other programs are using a version of the shield that incorporates Old Chapel, an iconic building on Middlebury’s campus, along with the Green Mountains near Bread Loaf, the Institute’s shield features the Segal Building, the first building of what would become the Monterey campus, with its distinctive California Mission architecture. To learn more about the rest of Middlebury’s new identity, visit here.
FAQs
Does this mean the Institute will no longer be known as the Monterey Institute?
Correct. The official name of the Institute is now the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. This change will benefit the Institute and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Making explicit the Institute’s status as a school of Middlebury will create new opportunities for growth and recognition.
Is the Institute changing its mission?
Absolutely not. The Institute is known for its master’s-level professional programs in translation, interpretation, language education, business, and policy studies. This focus will continue. We do expect, over time, greater collaboration between Monterey and Middlebury, with more faculty moving back and forth, and more Middlebury undergraduates enrolling in Institute programs.
Does the shield replace the circle with the three flags?
It does. That symbol debuted about seven years ago and has served the Institute well. But try as we did, we weren’t able to incorporate the flags into the new identity system in a way that made sense for the institution as a whole.
I’m concerned that my degree from the Monterey Institute may be less valuable if the name no longer exists. What are you doing to address that?
We’ll provide a letter to Institute alumni as requested, explaining the name change and attesting to the Institute’s mission remaining the same.
Also, for a period of time, the new identity system will indicate that the Institute was formerly known as the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
What about those students currently enrolled at MIIS? What will their diplomas say?
Students currently enrolled at Monterey may have either the old name or the new name on their diplomas. To avoid confusion, we’re currently engaged in an extensive communications campaign to inform all interested parties of the name change.
How can particular offices or departments get hold of the logo for use on business cards and other printed material?
Contact the Office of Communications and Marketing for guidance on using the new identity system. We’re eager to work with you to implement the new program.
FEEDBACK
The Middlebury identity project was highly inclusive: we spoke with many faculty, students, and staff in the course of developing the system. We also want to hear from you. If you have comments or questions about the new system, please use this form to forward them to us.
