LIM College

LIM College is a private, for-profit institution located in Midtown Manhattan, specializing in the business of fashion and lifestyle. It offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degree programs with a strong focus on integrating academic study with real-world industry experience. The college was established in 1939 by Maxwell F. Marcuse, a retail and education expert, as the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising. The school was created in response to retailers' demand for a program to educate women about the fashion business and merchandising. LIM became co-educational in 1971, and Maxwell’s son, Adrian G. Marcuse, became president in 1972. Under his leadership, the college gained accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and received New York State authority to confer bachelor’s degrees. In 2002, Elizabeth S. Marcuse, a former fashion industry executive, took over as president and led the institution through a period of growth, including its rebranding as LIM College in 2009. Elizabeth Marcuse stepped down at the end of 2023, and Ron Marshall became president in January 2024. Prior to assuming this role, Marshall served on the LIM Board of Directors and as a strategic consultant. He brings extensive leadership experience from major retail companies including Borders, Claire’s, and A&P.