National

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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outdated and computer spell-checks could not keep pace with the demands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.

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