Middlebury College President Ian Baucom and the institution’s senior leadership announced the closure of most residential and select online graduate programs at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), a move set to take effect by June 2027.
The discontinuation will impact all residential graduate programs, including translation, interpreting, conference interpreting, and translation and localization management.
Baucom delivered what he called “difficult news” following a meeting of the board of trustees, clarifying that the decision was a financial one and not a reflection of the program’s quality. For over 15 years, MIIS has grappled with fluctuating enrollments, a situation that worsened significantly after the pandemic, leading to “significant deficits for the last several years,” Baucom said.
According to the announcement, a four-year plan initiated in spring 2024 to combat the financial downturn failed to meet its targets, leaving no other viable option. As a result, MIIS will stop accepting applications for most two-year degree candidates in the fall of 2025.
To ensure a smooth transition, Middlebury College has pledged its full support to current students, promising that they will have the resources to complete their degrees by the 2027 deadline. This includes maintaining all on-campus resources, such as career services and financial aid, for the duration of their studies. Academic records will be maintained indefinitely, and students on visas will receive support to ensure their SEVIS status remains intact.
In addition to students, faculty and staff at MIIS will receive a phased-out support plan with guaranteed employment through the end of 2025. The first wave of position eliminations is scheduled for January 16, 2026.
“This decision does not reflect a retreat from our global mission,” Baucom said. “Whatever our decision is on MIIS, we must and will continue to be a Middlebury for the world.”
Slator (9/2/25) By Rocío Txabarriaga