Middlebury Translation and Interpreting Graduate Programs to be Phased Out

Middlebury College President Ian B. Baucom and the institution’s senior leadership announced on August 26th the closure of most residential and select online graduate programs at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS), a move set to take effect by June 2027.

The discontinuation will impact all residential graduate programs, which include translation, translation & interpretation, conference interpretation, translation and localization management, and many more.

Baucom delivered what he called “difficult news” following a meeting of the Board of Trustees, clarifying that the decision was a financial one and not a reflection of the program’s quality. For over 15 years, MIIS has grappled with fluctuating enrollments, a situation that worsened significantly after the pandemic, leading to “significant deficits for the last several years.”

According to the announcement, a four-year plan initiated in spring 2024 to combat the financial downturn failed to meet its targets, leaving no other viable option. As a result, MIIS will stop accepting applications for most two-year degree candidates in the fall of 2025.

A Strong Foothold in the Language Industry

Founded in 1955 as the “Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies,” the institution now known as the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey quickly established a unique reputation for its specialized focus on translation and interpretation and its unique global affairs programs.

MIIS was actually a pioneer in the Americas with its translation and interpretation degrees for a variety of language pairs, all integral to the curriculum for decades. Over its long history, the institution developed a close relationship with Middlebury College, and the two schools went from a formal affiliation agreement in 2005 to Middlebury’s full acquisition of MIIS in July 2010.

Following the acquisition, the institute was officially designated as a graduate school of Middlebury College, and its board of trustees was restructured to serve under Middlebury’s larger governance. This transition formalized a partnership that linked the renowned language programs of MIIS with the broader academic mission of Middlebury.

The Immediate Future

To ensure a smooth transition, Middlebury College has pledged its full support to current students, promising that they will have the resources to complete their degrees by the 2027 deadline. This includes maintaining all on-campus resources, such as career services and financial aid, for the duration of their studies.

The college has also provided a deadline of September 15, 2025, for students who wish to withdraw to receive a full tuition refund. Academic records will be maintained indefinitely, and students on visas will receive support to ensure their SEVIS status remains intact.

In addition to students, faculty and staff at MIIS will receive a phased-out support plan with guaranteed employment through the end of 2025. The first wave of position eliminations is scheduled for January 16, 2026.

Reactions from alumni, faculty, and the language industry at large are beginning to pour in on social media. For example, Adam Wooten, Professor of Translation & Localization Management at MIIS, commented on LinkedIn about the “sad news” and stated that his program is “looking for a new home” and to contact him about interest in hosting the program. 

Singapore-based Cadence Translate CEO, Matt Conger, also expressed sadness at the news on LinkedIn, highlighting MIIS as a key source of talent. Conger also confirmed that the company, which already employs several MIIS alumni, will continue to hire them.

Despite the sweeping changes at its Monterey campus, Middlebury College affirmed its continued commitment to global education. A number of self-sustaining centers, including the prominent James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), will continue to operate under the Middlebury umbrella, as will key summer programs.

Looking to the future, Middlebury stated it would pause any considerations regarding the sale or repurposing of the Monterey property until after the final programs conclude in June 2027.

Editor’s Note: Author Rocío Txabarriaga is a MIIS alumna.