From a girls' school to a 4-day workweek healthcare pioneer

Health · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: D'Youville University didn't just grow; it evolved. From its 1908 roots as a sanctuary for women's education to its modern status as a national university, it has consistently pivoted to meet the needs of the healthcare industry and its own workforce.

Founded in 1908 as D'Youville College, the institution was established by the Grey Nuns, a service-oriented order of sisters who began fighting for the rights of the marginalized in 1737. Originally an all-girls Roman Catholic school, it focused on providing women with practical skills for the business world and the teaching professions. By 1912, the student body was small—just 37 people—but the curriculum was rigorous, emphasizing science, mathematics, and languages over traditional domestic arts like sewing.

The university underwent a major structural shift in the mid-20th century. To combat enrollment declines, it transitioned to a co-educational model in 1971, a move that was controversial at the time but ultimately stabilized the institution. During this era, D'Youville also expanded its focus toward nursing and professional health programs. By the 1980s, the addition of master's and professional health degrees began a trajectory toward university status, which was officially granted in February 2022 after a 2007 board vote.

Today, D'Youville is recognized as a national university, specializing in healthcare education. It operates with a unique administrative model, having shifted its staff and administration to a 32-hour, 4-day workweek in 2022 as a permanent health and wellness initiative. The campus, situated within the Buffalo Olmsted Park System designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, now houses over 35 health science programs and serves as a hub for interprofessional healthcare training.

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