History
Mills was founded in 1852 as the Young Ladies’ Seminary in Benicia, California—two years after California became a state. In 1865, missionaries Susan and Cyrus Mills (champions for equal education for women) bought the seminary and renamed it Mills College.
Education
At Mills, you’ll find a challenging learning environment that values ideas, encourages debate, and empowers students to be creative, independent thinkers. You’ll have one-of-a-kind opportunities for scientific research, creative experimentation, and social advocacy. In and out of the classroom, you’ll critically analyze issues, develop new artistic forms, and solve real-world problems while working with faculty who are committed to your success. Here, you’ll be emboldened to think for yourself and for the world.
Research
- Extensive resources
Gain access to a global university system with advanced technologies and facilities and universitywide incubation support.
- Flexibility
Our research collaborations are flexible in scope and scale, tailored to the needs of our partner companies and organizations, and bolstered by flexible IP policies.
- Amplified innovation
Our faculty have a collaborative ethos and a proven ability to turn ideas into market-ready solutions. They can integrate with and enhance your teams to speed discovery.
Career
We continue to support Mills College alums by providing access to job postings through the Handshake career development platform. Mills alums who graduated within the last seven years can also access Northeastern’s Career Studio. If you graduated from Mills more than seven years ago, please contact Northeastern Alumni Relations for individual coaching and support.
Mills Institute at Northeastern Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Mills Institute at Northeastern. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Student services
Attending college in another country is rewarding and, at times, challenging, so we provide personalized support and resources to help you achieve success. At Mills, you'll join a welcoming community where you can receive one-on-one attention to help ensure that your college experience will be empowering and life-changing.
Our international student advisors (ISAs) are dedicated to helping you navigate the immigration compliance process, work permits, and your academic and social opportunities. ISAs serve as a resource throughout your Mills journey, from your first day on campus through graduation.
Housing services
Undergraduates who enter as first-year students through fall admission will live in university housing during their first year. After that, students will have the option to choose from university or off-campus housing options and pursue global experiences outside of the Bay Area.
First-year undergraduate students typically live in traditional style residence halls, sharing common spaces with peers. Students build strong connections that help them adjust to college life, explore campus, and experience the Bay Area and beyond.
One of the experiences that first-year students also share is being part of a Living Learning Community (LLC). An LLC brings students together typically around an academic major or academic theme. This experience enables students to form relationships within their living group through common topics and passions. LLCs connect your residential life to your academic life and host various events and activities throughout the year.
To make your transition to campus more seamless, first-year students will be placed in LLCs with students with similar interests. Students will receive communication in spring 2023 when they can express their preferences.
Library services
This light-filled library is the campus’s intellectual heart of scholarship and research, best known for collections in literature, history, women’s studies, art, and music. As a student, you can search electronic databases and the catalog’s 240,000+ volumes, and explore rare books and manuscripts in the Heller Rare Book Room’s special collections. You also have access to the digital resources from Northeastern’s Snell Library.
ICT services
Mills is always looking for new ways to use technology to improve the academic and social experience on campus. The F. W. Olin Library offers 24/7 online access to articles, journals, and databases. Course materials, faculty webcasts, and group discussions are hosted on Blackboard.
Medical services
The staff in the Office of Health and Wellness will help you live your best, healthiest life while you’re on the Oakland campus. Throughout the year, Northeastern staff partner with student organizations to host activities and workshops promoting healthy attitudes and choices. They also provide resources on the following topics, among others:
- Personal wellness
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Stress management
- Drug and alcohol safety
- Chronic illness
- Nutrition
- The healthcare system
- Mental health
Campus life
Northeastern University is for people who want to solve problems in the world. Northeastern’s 135-acre Oakland campus, home to Mills College at Northeastern, is a green oasis with deep connections to a vibrant urban community. The campus features 65 historic and contemporary buildings, many of which are award-winning. These buildings also house 47,600 square feet of academic and laboratory space.
Sports facilities
Take advantage of a host of on-campus sports and fitness facilities to keep your body and mind fit. All are open to Northeastern students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Our athletic facilities are available for rent to local sports clubs, schools, and individuals.
Student clubs
Our student clubs represent the interests and passions of our students. Some are social or political. Some celebrate shared identities, an academic subject, or a career path. Others center around hobbies or entertainment. If you don’t find a club that speaks to you, you can blaze a trail and start your own.
- Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance
- Black Student Collective
- Book Art Club
- Community Health Resource Center
- Earth CORPS
- El Club de Español
- Feminist Democrats
- Fencing Club
- Gender Splendor
- Health Equity & Leadership
- Hip Hop Dance Club
- Jewish Student Collective
- Latinx Student Collective
- Math Club
- Mills Aeronautics & Space Administration
- Mouthing Off!
- Nerd Club
- Poetry Club
- Speech & Debate
Accreditation
Mills College was founded in 1852 and has been fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1949.