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Troy University has served the Phenix City and Columbus regions for 50 years, starting with a satellite office at Fort Benning in 1974, then opening a campus next to Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 1975. In 2015, Troy University’s Phenix City Campus moved to its current riverfront location.
Today, with the growing demand for online education, the need for a physical campus has changed.
The Troy University Board of Trustees has voted to cease operations of the Phenix City Campus, effective Dec. 31, 2025. However, Troy University staff will continue to have a presence at Fort Moore in order to provide educational opportunities for soldiers based at that location.
Over 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, according to the Hechinger Report. The data show that universities must adapt to an evolving higher education marketplace, said Chancellor Dr. 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. “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.”
Chancellor Hawkins acknowledged that the decision to close the campus was a difficult one, reached after careful analysis of operational costs, enrollment trends, and institutional priorities.
“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,” Hawkins said. “We may not have a physical campus, but we’re not going anywhere—we will continue to serve this community.”
The decision, made during a board meeting on March 1, authorizes Chancellor Hawkins to develop and implement a transition plan to ensure that current students can complete their academic programs without disruption. The plan will also assist faculty and staff in their professional transitions, with the hope many employees will be able to move to new roles within the university or continue their current roles online.
Students enrolled at the Phenix City Campus will receive support to complete their degrees online or at other Troy University locations. Additionally, the University will collaborate with state and local leaders to find a new occupant for the riverfront building.
Dr. Kerry Palmer, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, emphasized the University’s commitment to adapting to the evolving higher education landscape.
“Changing economic conditions and shifting institutional priorities require strategic decisions to ensure Troy University’s long-term financial sustainability,” Palmer said.
Troy University will continue to operate satellite campuses in Dothan and Montgomery. Dr. Palmer confirmed there are no plans to close these locations and emphasized the University’s focus on expanding their strategic missions.
“We are actively developing new programs and engaging with external partners, and we look forward to announcing several new initiatives for Dothan and Montgomery in the near future,” Palmer said.
