A merger of Philadelphia higher education institutions will take place in 2017 with the combination of Thomas Jefferson University and Philadelphia University. The merger will make the combined institution the fifth-largest university in Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson has a robust history in the health sciences, while Philadelphia University is known for programs in architecture, fashion and graphic design.

Thomas Jefferson president and CEO Stephen Klaskoremarked, “We’re looking at it like we’re creating a brand new university. We’re going to have a startup mentality because the value in academics has gotten so bloated. It’s just this is how we do things and this is how much we charge. But now we want to create a whole new model.”

Klasko will be the president and CEO of the combined institution. The name of the university post-merger is yet to be finalized.