2000s: Becoming a University
A new century certainly ushered in big accomplishments for Lesley in 2000. Lesley College became Lesley University, and in the following years, U.S. News and World Report ranked Lesley as one of the "Best Regional Universities." Princeton Review selected Lesley as among "The Best Northeastern Colleges."
By 2002, the Radcliffe Seminars in Creative Arts were taken over by Lesley University, and the M.F.A. program in Creative Writing began.
Lesley’s undergraduate women’s college became co-ed in 2004, admitting men for the first time in its history.
In 2007, the School of Education moved to its new location in University Hall, the former Porter Exchange building. Lesley also acquired the new Brattle campus near Harvard Square, entering a partnership with the Episcopal Divinity School. The new campus provided library services at Sherrill Library, more dormitories and classrooms, and a dining hall.
Joseph B. Moore was appointed as Lesley University's new President that same year, following Margaret McKenna’s 22-year tenure.
On September 17, 2009, Lesley University celebrated its centennial anniversary.
In 2012, the Art Institute of Boston (AIB) also accomplished 100 years of educating artists and designers. The Art Institute’s name changed and officially became the Lesley University College of Art and Design (LUCAD) in 2013. Construction on the Lunder Arts Center was completed by 2014, and LUCAD moved from Kenmore Square in Boston to Porter Square in Cambridge.
By 2015-2016, enrollment grew to 7,536 undergraduate and graduate students. Lesley’s three campuses consisted of 59 buildings.
On July 1, 2016, Lesley welcomed their sixth president, Jeff A. Weiss.