TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATOR PROFILE:
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
By Victoria Hilton
Nearly three decades ago, National University opened its doors in San
Diego as a private, non-profit institution of higher learning for adults.
Founded locally in 1971, National responded to the educational needs of the
community’s working adult population. Currently, over twenty campus
locations exist in 11 major regional metropolitan areas throughout California.
NU was among the first to recognize and focus on the unique needs of
adult learners who were unable to attend traditional learning centers.
It offered programs enabling adults to complete graduate and undergraduate
programs in a shorter time frame, while still maintaining their present
family and professional responsibilities.
NU understood that in order to be the forerunner in adult learning, programs must be innovative, current, and offered at multiple locations for the greatest flexibility. National
was one of the first institutions in California to use computers in
their classrooms.
During the 80s, adult learning institutions were following in National
University’s footsteps. Ten years after National welcomed their first
students. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, National was
inundated by its competitors. By 1989, Dr. Jerry C. Lee was president
and proclaimed his desire to have “A university without walls.”
President Lee envisioned an adult learning center in which education was
possible for everyone; where there were no barriers, and countless
possibilities. Finally, students could create their own futures.
As the 90s focused on technology, including the revolution of the
Internet and its new vocabulary, dictionaries became
outdated and computer spell-checks could not keep pace with the demands
of the new technology. Radically, Dr. Lee imagineered bringing
technology into the classrooms and continuing to take advantage of the
future. He realized technology was reshaping the workforce – making
constant and continual training normal expectations. He married
technology and education within the classroom. The classrooms of the
future would team together faculty with computers to co-educate the
students. Programs were designed to help California teachers become
computer savvy. Dr. Lee’s vision was simple: if the teachers were
comfortable with computers, they would use them in their classrooms.
In a report published September 1998, high-tech employment has risen by
18.2 percent in 1997 with an expectation to double within next five
years.
Today, National University offers over forty-five graduate and
undergraduate programs as well as fifteen credential programs with
technology integrated into the curriculum. Furthering an education is
even more important as the average worker changes jobs at least five
times in their career. Just having an undergraduate degree isn’t
acceptable in today’s workforce. National comprehended the world has
become one of continuing education and continuing certification.
Forecasters agree that the demand for elementary and secondary teachers
will outpace most other occupations as the new millennium begins.
Qualified teachers and educational administrators who are prepared to
work with students in a diverse, multicultural environment will be the
norm. Unprecedented growth in student numbers, coupled with decreasing
requirements for class size translates to a very desirable job market for
the education professional. Educators need to pursue ongoing professional
development in order to keep pace with changing technology and the social
and cultural environments, in which they live and teach.
By 1997, National University was the leader in the state of California in
the number of teachers prepared for initial licensing. National is well
known and highly respected for the quality of California teachers they
produce, many of whom have received awards and distinctions from school
districts statewide. National University holds more teacher training
contracts with elementary and secondary school districts than any other
university in the entire state of California.
NU understands that to offer an outstanding degree program without the
potential of further employment would be senseless. Job Fairs are
coordinated to help join its students and local employers. Thursday,
February 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. marks National University’s
Technology and Business Job Fair at the LAX Campus located at 9920 South La Cienega in Inglewood.
National understands that the income of individuals increased accordingly
as the educational level rose, especially those that held baccalaureate
degrees or higher. Between 1970 and 1990, 85 percent of all new jobs in
California were filled by adult workers with at least some form of
post-secondary education, according to A State of Learning – California
Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century, a 1998 report published by
the California Citizens Commission on Higher Education, California houses
nearly one-half of the 100 fastest growing companies in the nation, a trend
that cannot be supported without highly-skilled workers with the opportunity for higher levels of education.
NU developed its sophisticated “Learning Network,” a growing
program featuring online learning. Faculty encourage students to
learn via the Internet and chat rooms. Students expected more and
National produced. CD-ROMs. Over four years ago National introduced
the Global MBA and was first in the nation to implement a Master of
Science in Electronic Commerce.
A Bachelor of Arts program in Global Studies offered only through the Internet
takes advantage of emerging information technology to give
students and professors the opportunity to use the vast resources of the
World Wide Web. It provides flexible integration of skills and
competencies that prepare students for a variety of international
careers. Secondly, a Master of Science in Instructional Technology; a
multidisciplinary program designed to prepare students for the rapidly
growing employment opportunities involving training and instruction of
information and telecommunication technologies. What’s in the future
jobs in the millenium? Again, National will be a leader in exploring
educational programs designed to accommodate the student and the
workforce.
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Victoria Hilton is Director of Public Relations for National University.
For more information about NU’s LAX Campus Technology and Business Job Fair, contact Maggie at (310) 258-6606.