Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences will officially merge to become a part of Augustana College in June 2026. The merger, initially announced in a joint press release on Jan. 8, will combine the two colleges’ programs, staff, and faculty into one institution.

The two colleges maintained a close partnership long before the merger was announced. The direct-entry 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allowed students to spend two years at Augustana and two years at Trinity to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. 

Augustana also offered a pre-nursing program that partnered with Trinity, allowing students to attend after four years at Augustana, then graduate from Trinity with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing. 

After the merger is complete, however, students will be able to graduate directly from Augustana with a nursing degree.

UnityPoint Health previously owned Trinity College. Former market president of UnityPoint Health’s Quad Cities division, Shawn Morrow, said that UnityPoint Health is committed to this merger. 

“UnityPoint Health is committed to improving the health of the communities we serve. Supporting this integration ensures the Quad Cities will continue to have a strong pipeline of well-prepared nurses, grounded in both clinical excellence and the rigor of an Augustana education,” Morrow said. 

Any merger is subject to final approval from the Department of Education, along with other regulatory bodies. Kirk Anderson, chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration at Augustana College, said that the merger is expected to be approved.

“Reactions across both campuses have reflected a mix of excitement about expanded opportunity and thoughtful questions about implementation,” said Anderson. “Our responsibility is to move forward deliberately, communicate clearly and prioritize students at every step.”