Trinity Christian College, a private Christian liberal arts institution that has educated thousands of students over 66 years, will close at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. The college will hold its final commencement ceremony on May 8, 2026.
The decision comes after the Board of Trustees reviewed the college’s financial outlook and strategic alternatives. Despite efforts to adjust its growth model and address deficits, Trinity faced mounting challenges, including post-COVID financial losses, declining enrollment, heightened competition for students, and shifts in donor support. These factors ultimately made it difficult for the college to continue offering an affordable, transformative Christian education.
Jeanine Mozie, acting president of Trinity Christian College, said in a statement, “Our deepest commitment in this season is to care for our people, particularly our students, faculty, and staff, as we mourn this ending. Trinity will provide advising, support, and a multitude of resources to help our students complete their academic pursuits here or at other institutions. Our leadership team is deeply saddened, and we dedicate ourselves in service to the Trinity community until we close our doors.”
Students who will not graduate in May will have access to teach-out and transfer opportunities through other regional Christian colleges, allowing them to continue their studies on schedule. Faculty and staff will also receive guidance and support to transition to new professional opportunities.
Palos Heights Mayor Bob Straz said the news marks a tremendous loss for the community.
“It’s a sad day for the Trinity community and for the City of Palos Heights,” Straz said. “We are losing an institution that has been around for more than 60 years.”
Straz said his heart goes out to all of Trinity’s alumni. “This is a small college, where if you live on campus, you know everyone. I feel sorry for all of the alumni,” he said.
Throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, Trinity plans to celebrate its legacy with alumni, donors, and members of the community. Mozie said in a statement, “We thank our God for the impact of this community, and we thank the faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and dedicated Board members who have worked tirelessly to serve our students for 66 years. The Trinity story is enduring. It lives in the generations of people who have been formed by this community and will continue to impact their own communities for years to come.”
Located in Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is an accredited Christian liberal arts college offering more than 70 programs across bachelor’s, master’s, and adult degree completion studies. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Trinity among the Top Regional Colleges in the Midwest and recognized it as a Top Value in the region. Since its founding in 1959, Trinity has achieved a 98% graduate placement rate, launched graduate and adult undergraduate programs, expanded senior learning opportunities, and worked to reduce student loan debt. Its alumni have become leaders in a variety of fields, carrying forward the college’s mission of providing a Christian education rooted in justice, humility, and love.
Both faculty numbers and student head count had dropped in recent years. Both of those numbers have been in decline in recent years with total faculty falling from 145 to 126 and enrollment dropping from a total head count of 1,068 in fall 2019 to 872 last year, despite a recent tuition reset to attract students.
Students seeking support can access personalized advising, counseling services, a dedicated hotline, and a resource website. Updates about the closure process are available at www.trnty.edu.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, which calls the college’s Ozinga Chapel home, announced there are no changes to the current concert schedule.
“Trinity Christian College has been a wonderful partner to IPO in all the years we have called Ozinga Chapel home. We are heartbroken that the university is closing and know it will forever be a cherished chapter in IPO’s story.”
Very sad indeed. May the Lord bless the contribution and legacy TCC has made to and through those who have been a part TCC journey.
Good luck to all,students and staff .
A loss to the community.
What will go in that beautiful campus?
Trinity will always be part of my DNA. My education from the late 60’s was transformative for me.
God used my yrs at tcs to shape me.
Thank you!!!
I’m so sad to hear Trinity is closing. God be with all the teachers and students who have gone there all these years. All my love Chris Arcand
4 of the best years of my life were spent there! So sad!
I am saddened to hear this news. All of my experiences at TCC have been wonderful. The campus, students, faculty, and staff have been great. This is a loss in so many ways. Many blessings to all who are impacted.
With all the billionaires around the country, how come no one is burdened enough to come to the rescue of this Christian institution?
I am very saddened to hear of the closure of a chritian centered educational institute. Specially one with such a high placement statistics. We need more colleges like this.
We are deeply saddened by this news. I received my degree from Trinity as did my three daughters. My wife worked for the college for 22 years. We have countless memories from this institution.
Sad indeed
As a TCC alumni, this is a sad day. I value the education I received there (class of ’01)- the amazing professors, the bookstore with Dutch licorice and the connection the Reformed Church faith. It was a wonderful community.
I am a graduate of Central College in Pella, Iowa, as are my husband and both sons. I truly hoped that one of my four grandchildren would go there too. That was not to be, but I was encouraged when my granddaughter, Mia, chose to attend Trinity Christian. She is a sophomore now, and loves the school dearly. I am devastated that the school is closing, as is Mia.
Wow, Gayle. This is Paul (& Mary) Wesselink and just last week had wondered if we could reconnect. Is this possible?
Lipscomb University in Nashville Tennessee is a fine Christian university that offers Bible classes and chapel plus other majors. Please consider applying there. Their website is Lipscomb.edu.
I’m so sad ….
This saddens me in a personal way. I attended Trinity during the upheaval years of 1967-1971. My world and life view were forever changed by Drs Seerveld and DeGraf. Also my brother was in the first class.
Why cant we organize a fund raiser to make what they need to continue 🤔
Very sad how our Christian institutions have changed worldly and many of the donors didn’t feel the desire to contribute any more. I’m, very sad to see this is thend of a beautiful College,especially for students wanted to stay close to home coming from Chicago Christian High and Illiana Christian High Schools.
Can they touch Base With some Billions that live in Illinois !
Come on Trolls……. start brainstorming. This College educates and nurtures. Graduates are placed easily because they are taught and trained well. Think of any organization that could possibly save Trinity and start emailing them. The reputation of this college is it’s selling point. There has to be other Christian organizations that can save Trinity.
What happens to the donations of Art works and papers e.g. Cal Seerveld after the school is closed?