Strayer University Explained

Strayer University
Motto:Transformation through Education
Type:Private for-profit university
Parent:Strategic Education, Inc.
President:Antoinette Farmer-Thompson
Students:52,253
City:Washington, D.C.
Country:U.S.
Campus:78 U.S. campuses
Online
Former Names:Strayer's Business College
Strayer College

Strayer University is a private for-profit university headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1892 as Strayer's Business College[1] and later became Strayer College, before being granted university status in 1998.

Strayer University operates under the publicly-traded holding company Strategic Education, Inc., which was established in 1996 and rebranded in 2018 following its merger with Capella University.[2] [3]

Strayer enrolls more than 50,000 students through both its online learning programs and 64 campuses located throughout 15 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.[4] It offers in degree programs for working adults[5] and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, health services administration, information technology and public administration.[6]

History

19th century

Siebert Irving Strayer founded Strayer's Business College in Baltimore in 1892.[1] Strayer established the college to teach business skills to former farm workers,[7] including shorthand, typing and accounting. Thomas W. Donoho joined the school in 1902.[8]

In its first decade of operations, enrollment at the school gradually increased, attracting students from other states.

20th century

In 1904, Strayer opened a branch of the school in Washington, D.C.[1] [9] [8]

Enrollment further expanded as demand for trained accountants grew after the passage of the Revenue Act of 1913 and World War I increased the need for federal government clerks with office skills.[9] During the 1930s, the college was authorized to grant collegiate degrees in accountancy by the Washington, D.C., board of education.[9] The school founded Strayer Junior College in 1959, when it was given the right to confer two-year degrees. In 1969, the college received the accreditation needed to grant four-year Bachelor of Arts degrees and was renamed Strayer College.[9]

From the 1980s to the late 1990s, Strayer College grew rapidly; enrollment increased from approximately 1,800 in 1981 and 2,000 in 1983,[10] [11] to around 9,000 by 1997.[12] The college expanded the range of degree programs and courses it offered to include subjects such as data processing management and health care management.[10] In 1987, the college was given authorization to grant Master of Science degrees.[13]

During the 1990s, the college began to focus on offering information technology courses.[6] According to The Washington Times, high demand for computer training due to the increased use of computers in offices and movement toward "knowledge-based" employment led to higher enrollment at Strayer.[12] In addition, Strayer began providing training programs in computer information systems for companies including AT&T Corporation and government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service.[14] In 1996, the college launched Strayer Online to offer classes via the Internet.[14] [15]

In 1998, Strayer College was granted university status by the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission and became Strayer University.[16]

21st century

At the beginning of the 21st century, Strayer established its first campus locations outside of the Washington metropolitan area, adding campuses in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee.[17] [18] [19] Since the early 21st century, Strayer has added additional campuses in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, Texas, and West Virginia, according to the university's website.[20]

Sondra Stallard was named the thirteenth president of Strayer University in May 2007. Stallard had been dean since 1996. Stallard previously served as dean of the school of continuing and professional studies at the University of Virginia.[21]

Strayer enrollment grew in the decade 2001–2010, from 14,009 in the fall of 2001 to 60,711 in the fall of 2010.[11] Enrollment dropped to 42,975 by 2015.[22] In 2010 the U.S. Department of Education, reported that the repayment rate of federal student loans at Strayer University was 25 percent. Strayer claimed its loan repayment rate to be 55 percent.[23] [24]

In 2011, the Washington Post claimed that Strayer had a 15 percent graduation rate, listing it among the lowest college graduation rates in the Washington, D.C., area. Strayer claimed the graduation rate for its full cohort of bachelor's students was 33 percent.[25] In December 2011, it acquired the Jack Welch Management Institute from Chancellor University for about $7 million. The institute offers a fully online Executive MBA program, as well as certificate programs.[26] [27] [28] [29] In 2012, Michael Plater was named fourteenth president of Strayer University. Previously, he served as provost and chief academic officer.[8] [30]

On August 9, 2012, the syndicated comic strip Doonesbury described Strayer's unusually high executive compensation as part of a series of satirical strips on for-profit education.[31] [32] [33] In addition to reporting Silberman's 2009 compensation (which it described as fifty times more than Harvard's president), the strip said that in the same year that Strayer spent $1,300 per student on instruction, it spent $2,500 per student on marketing and returned $4,500 per student in profit.[11] [33]

In 2013, USA Today listed Strayer University of Washington D.C. as a "red flag" institution for posting a student loan default rate that surpassed its graduation rate.[34] [35] In July 2013, Strayer University contacted HSI Sterling to report suspicious activity surrounding academic transcripts and coursework.[36] [37] It was later found that from November 2012 to October 2013, a Strayer University admissions official with two co-conspirators fraudulently created at least 58 official Strayer University transcripts. The conspirators were ordered to forfeit nearly $300,000 of proceeds from the fraud to the United States government.[38] In October 2013, Strayer initiated a major change in its physical operations by announcing the closure of its 20 Midwest campus locations. Strayer reported total enrollments dropped 17 percent, while new enrollments dropped 23 percent. It was announced that all students currently enrolled in programs in the Midwest at the time would be able to continue their education through Strayer's online only program offerings.[39] [40]

In 2015, Brian Jones, who had previously been Strayer University's general counsel, was named its 15th president. Prior to joining Strayer University, Jones was a lawyer and higher education entrepreneur. He served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Education from 2001 until 2005.[41]

In January 2016, Strayer Education announced that acquired the New York Code + Design Academy (NYCDA), making it a wholly owned subsidiary of Strayer Education offering web and mobile development courses.[42] Strayer resumed expansion again in 2018 after opening a campus in Montgomery, Alabama.[43] [44]

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Strayer temporarily closed all its campuses,[45] and began advertising heavily for people to enroll as remote students. At least 18 Strayer campuses closed permanently in 2020 as a result.[46] Strayer University has reopened 50 campuses that had been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and stated that it would evaluate reopening additional campuses in 2022.[47]

Partnerships

Comedian and game show host Steve Harvey was a spokesperson for Strayer and has appeared in several advertisements[48] [49] and spoke at Strayer's commencement ceremony in May 2015.[50] Strayer partnered with Daily Mail in February 2015 to produce a new section of the Daily Mail site named Strayer Business News. As part of the deal, Daily Mail would co-produce education and business content for its new business section.[51]

Strayer announced the launch of Strayer@Work, a new performance improvement solution for businesses in May 2015. As part of the launch, Strayer also announced a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to offer free college education to all participating FCA dealership employees. FCA dealers pay a monthly fee to send employees to Strayer.[52] [53] Strayer has educational partnerships with approximately 300 Fortune 1000 companies.[54]

In March 2017, Strayer announced a collaboration with financial news network Cheddar to produce digital entrepreneurship specialization as a part of Strayer's MBA program.[55]

In 2018, Queen Latifah became a spokesperson for Strayer.[56]

DevMountain partners with Strayer University to provide web development programs. In May 2023, DevMountain announced an expansion of its in-person coding bootcamps at Strayer University facilities.[57]

Locations

More than half of the students enrolled at Strayer University take all of their courses online, and the entire bachelor's and master's degree programs can be completed via the Internet.[58] [59], Strayer had a total enrollment of 52,253 students.[60]

Strayer University is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with campus locations mainly in the eastern and southern regions of the U.S.[61], it has 64 campuses located in 15 U.S. states and Washington D.C.

Academics

Admissions

The admissions requirement for undergraduate degree programs at Strayer University is a high school diploma or its equivalent. For graduate degrees (not including the Executive MBA) students must have proof of completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50, and official transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended.[62] Admissions requirements for the Jack Welch Executive MBA program include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States, and 5 years professional experience.[63] An associate degree earned from a partner school can be transferred in its entirety toward a bachelor's degree.[64]

Academic programs and accreditation

Strayer's principal aim is to provide higher education to working adult students.[18] [65] Strayer University's academic programs include undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The courses are business-focused, including courses in business administration and information technology.[6] [26] Degrees can be earned in subjects such as accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, health services administration, human resource management, information technology and public administration.[66]

Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, one of the six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Department of Education.[67] [68]

The Jack Welch Management Institute, named after Jack Welch, former chief executive officer of General Electric, was acquired by Strayer University in 2011 following Welch's retirement from GE. The institute offers executive MBA degrees and executive certificates covering business-related topics.[26] In September 2016, it was announced that the Jack Welch Management Institute was ranked on Princeton Review's list of Top 25 Online MBA Programs of 2017.[69] [70]

In May 2017, Strayer announced that its Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) program had earned accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).[71] [72]

In 2020, Strayer began offering its Fellows for Justice Program Scholarship, an initiative designed to build leadership skills within students' respective communities.[73]

Faculty and students

Strayer University's total enrollment is greater than 52,000 students. The student body is predominantly women of color. Seventy-four percent of the student body is female and 76 percent are people of color. The average age is 34.[74]

Since the early 2000s, Strayer University has had a high proportion of minority students or people of color. The college has had more women students than men since the late 1990s.[14] [18] According to its then-president, two thirds of its students in 2010 were women, and over half were African American or Hispanic.[75], the National Center for Education Statistics reports that Strayer's student body is 56 percent black, 21 percent white, and 13 percent Hispanic.[76] The majority work full-time.[67]

Many students receive financial assistance from federal government financial aid programs or education assistance programs operated by the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As of 2010, the U.S. federal government accounted for 84.9 percent of Strayer's revenue. Approximately one-quarter of Strayer students receive tuition assistance from their employers.[11]

Faculty

In 2012, a United States Senate committee reported that, as of 2010, 83 percent of Strayer's 2,471 faculty members were employed part-time, and not required to do research.[11] [77] Strayer's online segment consists of 90 full-time instructors and 847 part-time instructors.[78]

Student outcomes

According to research from the Brookings Institution, Strayer University students hold approximately $8 billion in student loan debt, the fifth-largest among all U.S. colleges and universities.[79] The 5-year default rate of Strayer students is 31%, and the average repayment of debt after five years is -7%.[80] According to the College Scorecard, Strayer University's 8-year graduation rate varies from 3% (Arkansas) to 26% (Virginia), depending on the campus.[81] Strayer is one of several for-profit schools which have been criticized for identifying as a university, since it does not offer Ph.D. programs.[82] Most people who start their college studies at Strayer do not graduate.[83]

Alumni

Notable alumni of Strayer University include:

Strategic Education Inc.

See main article: Strategic Education, Inc.. Strategic Education Inc. is a publicly traded corporation, established as a holding company for the college and other assets in 1996. The company was created to take what was then Strayer College public and raise capital for expansion.[13]

In August 2018, Strayer Education Inc. merged with Capella Education Company to form Strategic Education, Inc.[87]

Notes and References

  1. News: Strayer's College . The Morning Herald . 31 August 1899 . 23 December 2011.
  2. Web site: Strayer Education Inc . 21 February 2012 . Bloomberg Businessweek . 26 March 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120730110537/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=STRA:US . 30 July 2012 .
  3. Web site: Home, Strategic Education, Inc.. www.strategiceducation.com. 14 June 2019.
  4. News: Form 10-k. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. December 31, 2020.
  5. News: Company News; Strayer Education Hires Adviser to Study Possible Sale. February 5, 2000. New York Times. May 13, 2016.
  6. News: The more analysts learn, the more they like Strayer . Kopecki . Dawn . Beckford . Tanaya . 7 July 1997 . The Washington Times . D18.
  7. Book: Jennings, Jason . Think big, act small: Ch.9. Strayer Education . 2005 . Penguin Group (USA) . 1591840767 . 288 . registration .
  8. News: Strayer's roots run deep in Baltimore. Frederick N. Rasmussen. December 13, 2012. Baltimore Sun. May 13, 2016.
  9. News: Strayer College on the Move . Jack . Eisen . The Washington Post . 12 October 1983 . C2.
  10. News: Strayer Names New President . Elizabeth . McAllister . The Washington Post . 10 January 1983 . 23.
  11. Web site: For Profit Higher Education: The Failure to Safeguard the Federal Investment and Ensure Student Success. U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 9 August 2012. http://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=cdd6e130-5056-9502-5dd2-e4d005721cb2. 29 July 2012. 713–727.
  12. News: Schools, pupils learn education pays off quickly . Doug . Abrahms . The Washington Times . 1 September 1997 . D12.
  13. Web site: History . Strayer Education . Strayer Education, Inc. . 30 December 2011.
  14. News: Today's Lesson: How to Take Learning a Long Way . Jacquelyn . Powell . The Washington Post . 28 July 1997 . F09. 29 December 2015.
  15. News: 'Public school' Stock offering helps Strayer fuel expansion . Matt . Andrejczak . Washington Business Journal . 2 May 1997 . 3.
  16. News: Strayer College Attains University Status . Business Wire . 23 January 1998.
  17. News: The business of education . William . Glanz . The Washington Times . 19 April 2004 . C13.
  18. News: Like Its Students, Strayer Is Advancing . Martha . McNeil Hamilton . The Washington Post . 15 September 2003 . E01.
  19. News: Education pays off for Strayer . Barton . Eckert . Washington Business Journal . 16 February 2006.
  20. Web site: Campus Locations . strayer.edu . Strayer University . 29 December 2015.
  21. http://news.virginia.edu/content/uvas-sondra-stallard-named-new-president-strayer-university U.Va.'s Sondra Stallard Named New President of Strayer University
  22. Web site: EDGAR Pro. yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com. 4 June 2017.
  23. Web site: Cumulative Rates . United States Department of Education . 2009 . 15 February 2013.
  24. News: Eisman Bets Against Strayer Education Amid Doubt About Loan-Repayment Rate. . Gammeltoft . Nikolaj . 30 August 2010 . Bloomberg . 8 July 2013.
  25. News: The 10 lowest college graduation rates in D.C., Md. and Va. . de Vise . Daniel . 13 December 2011 . The Washington Post . 4 November 2012.
  26. News: Strayer to buy Jack Welch's business college . Megha . Mandavia . A. . Ananthalakshmi . Reuters . 11 November 2011 . 30 December 2011.
  27. News: Jack Welch: Investing in Education . CNBC . 11 November 2011 . 26 January 2012.
  28. News: New online MBA program approved at Strayer . Orlando Business Journal . 9 January 2012 . 26 January 2012.
  29. News: Strayer Education buys Jack Welch Management Institute . Barton . Eckert . Washington Business Journal . 11 November 2011 . 26 January 2012.
  30. News: In the Spotlight: Michael Plater, Strayer University. November 23, 2012. Nicole Duhring. Washington Business Journal. May 13, 2016.
  31. News: Deceit and Fraud: Totally Hilarious . August 9, 2012 . Xarissa . Holdaway . Chronicle of Higher Education .
  32. News: Discounts at For-Profits? . August 10, 2012 . Paul . Fain . Inside Higher Ed.
  33. News: Trudeau. Garry. Doonesbury. 9 August 2012. 9 August 2012.
  34. News: College default rates higher than grad rates. . Marklein . Mary Beth . 2 July 2013 . USA Today . 20 April 2014.
  35. Web site: 8 September 2012 . Bad Student Debt High as Collection Efforts Surge . 2023-04-14 . The New York Times.
  36. Web site: McLean Business Managers And Strayer University Official Convicted, Sentenced For Large-Scale Immigration Fraud . 2015-03-18 . www.justice.gov . en . 2020-05-13.
  37. Web site: Business managers, school official convicted, sentenced for immigration fraud . www.ice.gov . en . 2020-05-13.
  38. Web site: McLean Business Managers and Strayer University Official Convicted, Sentenced for Large-Scale Immigration Fraud. Department of Justice. August 22, 2014. August 5, 2016.
  39. News: Strayer Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2013 Revenues and Earnings; Fall Term 2013 Enrollments; and Additional Cost Reduction Initiatives . The Wall Street Journal . 31 October 2013.
  40. News: Strayer cutting jobs, closing campuses . Jeff . Clabaugh . Washington Business Journal. 31 Oct 2013 . 11 Aug 2014.
  41. Web site: For-Profit, for African-Americans?. April 2, 2010. Scott Jaschik. Inside Higher Ed. May 13, 2016.
  42. Web site: Strayer Education Buys New York Code and Design Academy. January 18, 2016. Zacks. May 1, 2017.
  43. Web site: Bucking the Trend. Insider Higher Ed. 23 October 2018.
  44. Web site: Strayer University opens third Alabama campus. 23 October 2018.
  45. News: Strategic Education Says All Strayer University Campuses Will Be Closed Starting On Monday. Reuters. March 18, 2020.
  46. Web site: Closed School Weekly/Monthly Reports . www2.ed.gov . US Department of Education . 10 May 2021.
  47. Web site: Strategic Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2021 Results. www.sec.gov . 25 February 2022.
  48. Web site: Strayer University Success Project | Steve Harvey . 2015-02-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140822211307/http://www.strayer.edu/buzz/success-project/strayer-university-welcomes-steve-harvey-and-the-success-project/ . 2014-08-22 .
  49. http://www.universityherald.com/articles/10624/20140728/strayer-university-partners-with-steve-harvey-to-launch-success-project.htm Strayer University Partners with Steve Harvey to Launch 'Success Project'
  50. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/maya-rudolph-channels-beyonce-tulane-graduation-speech/story?id=31150217 Maya Rudolph Channels Beyonce for Tulane Graduation Speech
  51. News: Strayer University Taps Daily Mail For Elaborate Year-long Branded Content Deal. Mike Shields. February 10, 2015. Wall Street Journal. May 13, 2016.
  52. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2015/05/17/fiat-chrysler-tests-strayer-tuition-payments-for-dealer-employees/ Want To Go To College For Free? Work For A Chrysler Dealer
  53. http://fortune.com/2015/06/02/anthem-free-college-tuition-employees/ Anthem joins growing roster of companies offering free college tuition to employees
  54. http://www.autonews.com/article/20150511/RETAIL/305119981/retailers-cheer-fcas-free-college-program-for-u.s.-dealerships# Retailers cheer FCA's free college program for U.S. dealerships
  55. Web site: Why Cheddar is making classes for Strayer University. DigiDay. May 8, 2017. Max Willens. January 4, 2018.
  56. News: Siler . Brenda C. . Queen Latifah Inspires Strayer Grads . June 27, 2018 . The Washington Informer . 2024-07-17.
  57. Web site: Devmountain Announces Expansion of In-Person Coding Bootcamps at Strayer University Facilities. 23 May 2023. Market Screener.
  58. News: Strayer U. offers an education online . Brendan . Jordan . The Carletonian . 4 October 1999.
  59. News: Strayer Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Revenues and Earnings; and Winter Term 2013 Enrollments; and CEO Succession Plans . Strayer Education, Inc. . 14 February 2013 . 21 March 2013.
  60. Web site: 10K . www.sec.gov . Securities and Exchange Commission . 2 August 2019.
  61. News: Strayer University Expands To Georgia With Two Campuses In Atlanta . Atlanta Inquirer (Georgia) . 7 August 2004 . 9.
  62. Web site: What's Needed For Admission. Strayer University. January 4, 2018.
  63. Web site: Requirements For Applicants. Jack Welch Management Institute. January 4, 2018.
  64. Web site: Will My Credits Transfer?. Strayer University. January 4, 2018.
  65. News: A Higher Calling . Jacquie . Kubin . The Washington Times . 9 November 1998 . F6.
  66. News: Never Too Late: Back-to-School Lessons Parents Returning to College Can Teach Their Children . 8 September 2011 . Business Wire . Strayer University.
  67. News: Learning From Strayer's Ron Bailey . Jerry . Knight . The Washington Post . 9 July 2001 . E01.
  68. News: Working adults to get new option for college . Michael . Cass . The Tennessean . 8 January 2003 . 2B.
  69. Top 25 Online MBA Programs for 2016, According to the Princeton Review. Jeanna Schnuer. Entrepreneur. November 11, 2016.
  70. Web site: Jack Welch Management Institute. The Princeton Review. November 11, 2016.
  71. News: Strayer University's Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. May 30, 2017. The New York Times. July 6, 2017.
  72. Web site: Bacelor of Science in Nursing. Strayer University. July 6, 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160221033740/http://www.strayer.edu/sites/default/files/strayer_university_rn_to_bsn_program_information.pdf. February 21, 2016.
  73. Web site: Local Fellow for Justice makes impact in Houston. Onyeneho. Laura. 23 April 2023. Defender.
  74. Web site: Student Body Diversity . studenthandbook.strayer.edu . Strayer University . 14 November 2021.
  75. News: Judge universities on merit, not funding models . Silberman . Robert S. . 24 August 2010 . The Washington Post . 10 August 2012.
  76. Web site: School - College Scorecard. collegescorecard.ed.gov. 14 June 2019.
  77. Web site: Strayer University Catalog . Strayer University . 2013 . 20 April 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130517070843/http://www.strayer.edu/sites/default/files/master_catalog_010713.pdf . 17 May 2013 .
  78. Web site: Strayer University-Global Region . College Navigator . US Department of Education . 2 August 2019.
  79. https://www.brookings.edu/wp content/uploads/2015/08/Chart_LooneyYannelis_StudentLoanDefaults.png
  80. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/StudentLoanDefaults_Looney_FINAL.pdf
  81. Web site: Strayer University . collegescorecard.ed.gov . US Department of Education . 14 November 2021.
  82. News: Carey . Kevin . 2016-03-21 . Donald Trump Isn't Alone in Exploiting the Word 'University' . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-14 . 0362-4331.
  83. News: Butrymowicz . Sarah . Kolodner . Meredith . 2020-06-17 . For-Profit Colleges, Long Troubled, See Surge Amid Pandemic . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-14 . 0362-4331.
  84. News: The Washington Post. Charles Mann gets his college degree, 32 years after Redskins drafted him. June 25, 2015. Dan Steinberg . February 3, 2017.
  85. News: Newspaper Archive. 6 May 2005. Cumberland Times-News. 31 August 2018.
  86. http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/tos-contributors/ "TOS Contributors"
  87. Web site: Strayer and Capella Merger Finalized. 4 October 2018.