In a time when many colleges and universities are facing declining enrollment and existential uncertainty, Molloy University in Rockville Centre, New York, is charting a bold and inspiring course. Defying national trends, Molloy recently confirmed a 38% increase in first-year enrollment for Fall 2025, with 850 freshmen registered—up from 620 in 2024. This surge marks a historic milestone for the institution, which had never surpassed 600 first-year students prior to its transition from college to university status in 2022.
Rooted in Tradition, Driven by Innovation
Founded in 1955 by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, Molloy remains deeply committed to its Dominican pillars of study, spirituality, service, and community. These values continue to shape a mission-driven educational experience that resonates with today’s students and families.
The university now comprises four schools—Nursing and Health Sciences, Education and Human Services, Business, and Arts and Sciences—each contributing to Molloy’s reputation for academic excellence and purposeful growth.
A National Leader in Nursing Education
Molloy’s Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences is a powerhouse, graduating nearly 500 nurses annually. With undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Molloy consistently produces graduates with high NCLEX-RN pass rates who serve in healthcare settings across the country—an essential contribution amid a national nursing shortage.
Broadway Brilliance and Carnegie Hall Dreams
Molloy’s influence extends beyond healthcare into the performing arts, thanks to its partnership with CAP21 (Collaborative Arts Project 21), a prestigious musical theatre
conservatory with longstanding New York roots. CAP21 alumni include stars like Lady Gaga, Kristen Bell, and Matthew Morrison.
One of Molloy’s own, Nichelle Lewis (Class of 2021), recently landed the lead role of Dorothy in the 2024 Broadway revival of The Wiz, triumphing over more than 2,000 contenders. This November, Molloy will host a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall, featuring CAP21 talent and Broadway stars, hosted by Seth Rudetsky—a testament to the university’s growing prominence in the arts.
Leadership That Inspires
At the helm is President James P. Lentini, a nationally recognized composer and academic leader who assumed office in 2020. Lentini’s tenure has been marked by strategic innovation, including the launch of a Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and the deployment of Mia, an AI-powered virtual assistant that supports prospective students and families 24/7.
Lentini credits Molloy’s success to a unified leadership team and a culture of collaboration: “We are succeeding as a result of thinking like a team, which has required many individual sacrifices in favor of the greater good.”
Expanding Programs, Enriching Campus Life
Under Lentini’s leadership, Molloy has:
- Launched a Workforce Development initiative to meet regional talent needs.
- Developed a new Physician Assistant program, set to begin in January 2027.
- Introduced Sprint Football, enhancing campus athletics with inclusivity and energy.
- Continued to uphold its Dominican Catholic values, preparing students to be both career-ready and ethically grounded.
A University on the Rise
Molloy University’s story is one of resilience, vision, and purpose. By blending tradition with innovation, and staying true to its mission while embracing change, Molloy is not just growing—it’s thriving.
As President Lentini puts it: “We’re not just growing—we’re growing with purpose.”
