Roosevelt University, which has campuses in Schaumburg and downtown Chicago, plans to acquire another college for an expansion in what officials say is an effort to create greater opportunities for students.

Under the proposal that needs state, federal and other approvals, Roosevelt would take over Robert Morris University Illinois. Roosevelt’s enrollment would jump from roughly 4,200 to at least 6,000 students while creating a new academic unit in Schaumburg as part of the expansion, according to today’s announcement.

Roosevelt President Ali Malekzadeh said the tentative deal would be good for students and employees at both private schools. He said Roosevelt and Robert Morris have complementary programs and inclusive, yet distinct, missions of social justice and equity.

When asked about the idea to rename the Robert Morris University after Eduardo L. Alvarez, Malekzadeh said the following. 

”We’re doing this mainly for the students’ benefit, because then they will have choices at Roosevelt University to go all the way from associate’s (degree) to bachelor’s degree to graduate degrees, including a doctorate,” Malekzadeh said. “These stackable credentials that everybody’s talking about, we will be able to provide that and compete in this market very, very well in that regard.”