Immaculata University is a Catholic University on King Road in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Immaculata was founded as Villa Maria College, a women's college in 1920. It was the first Catholic college for women in the Philadelphia area. The name was changed to Immaculata College in 1929. Founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata is part of the greater IHM community, which includes the neighboring House of Studies and an academy for girls. The University became coeducational in the fall of 2005. The current location of Immaculata University is a tract of land in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the Main Line near Malvern, purchased by the sisters in 1906. The original 198-acre (0.80 km) plot has grown to 373 acres (1.51 km) since that time. In June 2002, Immaculata College received confirmation of university status from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Effective August 2002, the college is now known as Immaculata University. Campus Ministry encourages students to pray and become involved in helping others.