Place brings us back to each other. In fact, the time spent together face-to-face, across the table, or over a lunch often builds the connections that can bind and the trust that can hold during long hours of virtual meetings. And our residencies and onsite classes can dive deep into local communities and partnerships. Here are some of last year’s place-based happenings across Antioch’s many locations.
“In an era of ubiquitous Zoom meetings, virtual collaborations, and online teaching and learning, Antioch University still believes that place matters.”
Horace Mann House Opens at Otterbein University
Antioch University’s Horace Mann House opened on the campus of Otterbein University in Spring 2026, refurbishing a two-story house previously used by Otterbein staff along a tree-lined street close to the center of campus. While Horace Mann, Antioch’s founding president, abolitionist, and advocate of education’s role in strengthening democracy, died in 1859, the establishment of the House in his name honors the principles and the people building the Coalition for the Common Good.
The House holds staff and faculty offices for Antioch employees who live near or are visiting the Westerville- Columbus area. It also has two conference rooms that can hold meetings of 8-10 interested colleagues and sessions with Otterbein students interested in accelerated pathways to Antioch graduate programs. Racks are full of program brochures, alumni magazines, Antioch mugs, and materials for the taking. A beautiful front porch allows for informal conversation looking out onto the Otterbein campus.
An Open House was held in April 2026 to officially welcome Otterbein and Antioch faculty, staff, students, alumni, and administrators into the new shared space. Throughout the day, students explored graduate offerings, connected with faculty, and experienced the collaborative spirit at the heart of the Coalition partnership. Located just steps from the center of Otterbein’s campus, the Horace Mann House now serves as a hub for connection, advising, and future collaboration between the two institutions.
Antioch Los Angeles Opens a New Home
After 21 years at its Culver City location at Corporate Pointe, the Los Angeles campus has moved about a mile away to the Wateridge complex at 5150 W. Goldleaf Circle. The new building provides an engaging space in which to study and gather. We opened the new building for classes on the first day of the new term, last October, and held a beautiful grand opening celebration at the new location in November.
Antioch Santa Barbara Co-Location Flourishes
A number of lamppost banners have been installed on the Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) campus to expand visibility of the Antioch brand on the larger campus where Antioch University Santa Barbara is currently co- located. This visibility reaches a key constituency of students who may be looking to continue their studies after completing an associate degree.
Antioch New England Opens New Library Space
In May, the University opened a new library space for Antioch University New England. About 30 faculty, staff, students, and community members joined President Varlotta for its dedication. Afterwards, library staff Cathy Boswell and Abby Jones hosted tours of the new space. Just down the road from the rest of the Antioch campus in Keene, the new library space is bright, beautiful, and the stacks are accessible. Fun fact: the New England library is the headquarters for the We Deliver Service that helps students across the country access library books and other resources.
