One University, Five-Colleges, and a Diversity of Higher Education Institutions
UMass Amherst is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst College (Amherst), Hampshire College (Amherst), Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley), and Smith College (Northampton). This consortium, founded in 1965, unites UMass with top-ranked liberal arts colleges, two of the oldest women’s colleges in the country, and a young, unconventional campus to expand research, curricular and cultural resources and facilities for all partners. The consortium facilitates intellectual communities and broad curricular and cocurricular offerings; affording learning, research, performance, and social opportunities that complement the distinctive qualities of each institution.
Shared resources include:
- Joint departments and programs
- Joint automated library system
- Joint Racial Justice & Equity/DEI Programs
- Joint faculty appointments and faculty exchange
- Joint Academic Career Network for dual career couples
- Five College Faculty Seminars
- Joint field reserves for research and teaching
- Joint funding opportunities and fellowships
- Joint staff opportunities and administrative programs
- Joint student educational and cocurricular programs
- Open cross-registration
- Free inter-campus bus service
- Joint community outreach services
Higher Education in the Pioneer Valley
In addition to the Five Colleges, the Pioneer Valley is home to a rich array of higher educational institutions.
Metro Springfield Universities: American International College, Bay Path University, Cambridge College, Elms College, Springfield College, Western New England University, and Westfield State University.
Community Colleges: Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, and Springfield Technical Community College.
