closing up
Education

Palmer College of Chiropractic Phasing Out Its West Campus

Editorial Staff

Palmer College of Chiropractic's west campus in San Jose, Calif., will cease operations in June 2025 when its lease expires, following a unanimous vote by the Palmer Board of Trustees. Palmer West's closure comes "after thoughtful consideration, and as a proactive business decision," according to an announcement from Palmer College.

"A culmination of challenges, including the escalation of the building lease, the high cost of living, the employment market, and the College's cost to deliver the program in California compelled the decision to phase out the West campus," said Trevor V. Ireland, DC, chairperson of the Palmer board. "This difficult decision was made after thorough due diligence."

In its press release, Palmer College noted that current Palmer West students "[will have] the opportunity to finish their degrees at Palmer West through March 2025. Eligible students also will have the option to attend Palmer College's Main campus in Davenport, Iowa or its Port Orange, Florida campus."

"By adjusting our on-campus offerings at our two flourishing locations, Palmer is better equipped to meet its mission of educating students in the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic today and well into the future, maintaining our role as the trusted leader in chiropractic education," said Palmer College Chancellor and CEO, Dennis Marchiori, DC, PhD.

Palmer West is the direct descendant of Northern California Chiropractic College (NCCC), founded in Sunnyvale, Calif., in 1978 by students. Two years later, the school's name was changed to Palmer College of Chiropractic West, with John Miller, DC, appointed as Palmer West's first president. The inaugural class graduated one year later (1981).

After a campus expansion to Santa Clara in 1989, Palmer West moved to its current, larger San Jose location in 1993.

By early 1991, Palmer College of Chiropractic and Palmer College of Chiropractic West were operating in a single system with a single board of trustees. A year later, Palmer West appointed its second president, Peter Martin, DC. Other presidents to lead Palmer West include Guy Riekeman, DC (2001-2005); Dr. Peter Martin reprising his role, first as interim president and then president until 2007, at which time he transfered to Palmer's then-new Florida campus; and William Meeker, DC, MPH, Palmer West's longest-serving president (2007-2021).

May 2022
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