Strayer University
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Strayer University is a private for-profit university headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1892 as Strayer's Business College<ref name=Herald>Template:Cite news</ref> and later became Strayer College,<ref name=Eisen/> 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.<ref name=History/><ref name=hern>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref name=gov2020>Template:Cite news</ref> It offers in degree programs for working adults<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, health services administration, information technology and public administration.<ref name=Kopeki>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Mandavia/>
HistoryEdit
19th centuryEdit
Siebert Irving Strayer founded Strayer's Business College in Baltimore in 1892.<ref name=Herald/> Strayer established the college to teach business skills to former farm workers,<ref name=Jennings>Template:Cite book</ref> including shorthand, typing and accounting.<ref name=Eisen/><ref name=Abrahms/> Thomas W. Donoho joined the school in 1902.<ref name=baltimore>Template:Cite news</ref>
In its first decade of operations, enrollment at the school gradually increased, attracting students from other states.
20th centuryEdit
In 1904, Strayer opened a branch of the school in Washington, D.C.<ref name=Herald/><ref name=Eisen>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=baltimore/>
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.<ref name=Eisen/> During the 1930s, the college was authorized to grant collegiate degrees in accountancy by the Washington, D.C., board of education.<ref name=Eisen/> 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.<ref name=Eisen/>
From the 1980s to the late 1990s, Strayer College grew rapidly; enrollment increased from approximately 1,800 in 1981 and 2,000 in 1983,<ref name=McAllister>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=SenateReport2012>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to around 9,000 by 1997.<ref name=Abrahms>Template:Cite news</ref> The college expanded the range of degree programs and courses it offered to include subjects such as data processing management and health care management.<ref name=McAllister/> In 1987, the college was given authorization to grant Master of Science degrees.<ref name=History>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
During the 1990s, the college began to focus on offering information technology courses.<ref name="Kopeki"/> 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.<ref name="Abrahms"/> 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.<ref name=Powell>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1996, the college launched Strayer Online to offer classes via the Internet.<ref name=Powell/><ref name=Andrejczak>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1998, Strayer College was granted university status by the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission and became Strayer University.<ref name=eleven>Template:Cite news</ref>
21st centuryEdit
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.<ref name="Glanz">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Hamilton">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Eckert">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref>U.Va.'s Sondra Stallard Named New President of Strayer University, May 3, 2007, Jane Paluda, UVAToday, May 12, 2016</ref>
Strayer enrollment grew in the decade 2001–2010, from 14,009 in the fall of 2001 to 60,711 in the fall of 2010.<ref name=SenateReport2012/> Enrollment dropped to 42,975 by 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=bloomberg>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=Mandavia>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2012, Michael Plater was named fourteenth president of Strayer University. Previously, he served as provost and chief academic officer.<ref name=baltimore/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Doonesbury20120809>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=SenateReport2012/><ref name=Doonesbury20120809/>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2013, Strayer University contacted HSI Sterling to report suspicious activity surrounding academic transcripts and coursework.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Strayer resumed expansion again in 2018 after opening a campus in Montgomery, Alabama.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Strayer temporarily closed all its campuses,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and began advertising heavily for people to enroll as remote students.<ref name=":1" /> At least 18 Strayer campuses closed permanently in 2020 as a result.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
PartnershipsEdit
Comedian and game show host Steve Harvey was a spokesperson for Strayer and has appeared in several advertisements<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Strayer University Partners with Steve Harvey to Launch 'Success Project', July 28, 2014, University Herald, May 10, 2016</ref> and spoke at Strayer's commencement ceremony in May 2015.<ref>Maya Rudolph Channels Beyonce for Tulane Graduation Speech, May 19, 2015, Luchina Fisher, ABC News, May 10, 2016</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name=auto/> FCA dealers pay a monthly fee to send employees to Strayer.<ref name=forbes>Want To Go To College For Free? Work For A Chrysler Dealer, Dale Buss, May 17, 2015, Forbes, May 12, 2016</ref><ref>Anthem joins growing roster of companies offering free college tuition to employees, Claire Zillman, June 2, 2015, Fortune, May 12, 2016</ref> Strayer has educational partnerships with approximately 300 Fortune 1000 companies.<ref name=auto>Retailers cheer FCA's free college program for U.S. dealerships, Larry P. Vellequette, May 11, 2015, Automotive News, May 12, 2016</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2018, Queen Latifah became a spokesperson for Strayer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
LocationsEdit
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.<ref name=Jordan>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Strayer 2011 Report">Template:Cite news</ref> Template:As of, Strayer had a total enrollment of 52,253 students.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Strayer University is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with campus locations mainly in the eastern and southern regions of the U.S.<ref name=AI>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:As of, it has 64 campuses located in 15 U.S. states and Washington D.C.<ref name=gov2020 />
AcademicsEdit
AdmissionsEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An associate degree earned from a partner school can be transferred in its entirety toward a bachelor's degree.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Academic programs and accreditationEdit
Strayer's principal aim is to provide higher education to working adult students.<ref name=Hamilton/><ref name=Kubin>Template:Cite news</ref> Strayer University's academic programs include undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The courses are business-focused, including courses in business administration and information technology.<ref name=Kopeki/><ref name=Mandavia/> 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.<ref name=Never>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name=Knight>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=working>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name=Mandavia/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2020, Strayer began offering its Fellows for Justice Program Scholarship, an initiative designed to build leadership skills within students' respective communities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Faculty and studentsEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref name=Powell/><ref name=Hamilton/> According to its then-president, two thirds of its students in 2010 were women, and over half were African American or Hispanic.<ref name=Silberman>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:As of, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that Strayer's student body is 56 percent black, 21 percent white, and 13 percent Hispanic.<ref name="collegescorecard_453215">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The majority work full-time.<ref name=Knight/>
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.<ref name=SenateReport2012/>
FacultyEdit
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.<ref name=SenateReport2012/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Strayer's online segment consists of 90 full-time instructors and 847 part-time instructors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Student outcomesEdit
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.<ref>https://www.brookings.edu/wp content/uploads/2015/08/Chart_LooneyYannelis_StudentLoanDefaults.png</ref>Template:Better source needed The 5-year default rate of Strayer students is 31%, and the average repayment of debt after five years is -7%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to the College Scorecard, Strayer University's 8-year graduation rate varies from 3% (Arkansas) to 26% (Virginia), depending on the campus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Most people who start their college studies at Strayer do not graduate.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref>
AlumniEdit
Notable alumni of Strayer University include:
- Gen. Robert Magnus, retired assistant commandant of the Marine Corps <ref name=Silberman/>
- Charles Mann, businessman and former NFL football player<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- M. Virginia Rosenbaum, American surveyor and newspaper editor<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>
- Carolyn Wright, American lawyer, jurist and the chief justice of the Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas
- Marie Hirst Yochim, 35th president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution
- Gary Washington, CIO of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and acting United States secretary of agriculture from January 2025 to February 2025
Strategic Education Inc.Edit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name=History/>
In August 2018, Strayer Education Inc. merged with Capella Education Company to form Strategic Education, Inc.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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