Profit- For?
Social Media
I am a graduate from the University of Phoenix (UOPx). I earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a concentration in accounting, class of 2014. Prior to attending the university, I had doubts, but the curriculum has proven to be thorough and efficient in comparison with traditional universities. I only wish UOPx could build upon its prestige and alumni/alumnus by rebranding. Reputation is key; it puts the power of social proof to work. The university has the curriculum to create strong leaders; however, the marketing department and the universities mission must be realigned.
Click: University of Phoenix Reviews
I spent some time reviewing academic institutions located on the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) website. Thereafter, I relayed my findings to a friend; my friend attended the University of Indianapolis, I pointed out that his alma mater was accredited by ACBSP along with the University of Phoenix. He reacted with a devastating gaze as if I was mistaken; I loaded the accreditation website on my smartphone and showed him.
- The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence. The association embraces the virtues of teaching excellence and emphasizes to students that it is essential to learn how to learn.
- ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degree levels worldwide. Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in 2001 and again in 2011, ACBSP was the first to offer specialized business accreditation at all degree levels.
The look on his face made it apparent that the University of Phoenix has a black eye within the realm of academia.
What can we do? How can we restructure the University’s reputation to help benefit our personal brand? According to Forbes, it is important to build a meaningful connection on a day-to-day basis. Hence, day-to-day interaction with peer groups and colleagues should leave a lasting impression. As a Phoenix, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard especially when the media has impaired our alma maters brand.
CLICK: University of Phoenix Notables:
After reviewing the UOPx ranking vs. traditional universities, I noticed the media is the real problem. According to LinkedIn there is a huge UOPx representation within major organizations e.g. Intel, Oakley, Uber, Pepsi, Apple, Google.
In parallel, the post collegiate experience between #UOPx graduates versus those who obtained an education from a traditional institution differs; a key problem is accreditation, and reputation. Employers seek specific accreditation standards. I’ve had recruiters tell me clients specifically refuse to work with UOPx graduates. Are employers inherently bias?
No academic institution should have the ability to deny anyone the opportunity to gain access to an education. However, being that the University of Phoenix was the frontrunner in online academia, there should be oversight and prerequisites attached for admission especially into an undergraduate bachelors or graduate studies program.
But again let me play the devil’s advocate, prior to attending the University of Phoenix, I graduated with two Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees from California State University San Marcos #CSUSM. Between 2007 and 2012, I submitted job applications frequently with different organizations, I never received a follow-up or an interview.
Tim Slottow foretell of nontraditional students succeeding does not consummate the prehistory attached with the university’s reputation. What should he do to help us?
The Black Eye
“UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX, HAVE YOU GOOGLED YOURSELF?”
UOPx must cater to these demands, while remaining competitive and innovative. Arizona State University, Tempe Campus along with other higher academic institutions is pushing online programs. UOPx should rebrand completely; most alumni/alumnus believes they are “A PHOENIX”, while the general population would say they have been bamboozled. Rebrand and change the imagine to private.
UOPx has unlimited resources provided by its parent company Apollo Education Group, Inc., which happens to be a billion dollar corporation. With these resources, UOPx could be the pioneer in online education. The term pioneer is not referring to the size of its alumni/alumnus, but to the organization’s mission to ensure its students are the frontrunners of online education.
Hopefully, in the near future the University of Phoenix and other notable online academic establishments e.g. National University, Ashford University will be recognized by U.S. News University Directory and other college reviews.
College graduates/millennials have had a hard time finding suitable work. This hardship does not only apply to University of Phoenix students. I know individuals who have graduated from notable academic establishments e.g. California State University Indiana State University Alumni Association. These individuals are making a little over minimum wage, and have not used their college education since graduating. I make this point to counteract any bias assumptions from the University of Phoenix Alumni Association Apollo Education Group, Inc..
The main issue with the University of Phoenix is their enrollment agenda; not all who apply should be allowed to gain an education. What makes an academic institution “For-Profit”? The lack of oversight and prerequisites attached to enrollment. For example, a former coworker attended the University of Phoenix, she eventually flunked out. She was promised a dream which was attainable if the University had not of granted her access with such ease. To find out later she graduated high school with a 2.0 after retaking classes thereafter graduation. Moreover, their enrollment agenda is based on making money and definitely not ensuring all candidates enrolled are prepared to be a scholar.
“Let me explain more. University of Phoenix is a for-profit, privatized school focused on skills training. The faculty is generally part-time, without job security, and they are paid almost nothing. Those who are full-time, which is the vast minority, do not get tenure. There is no research mission. There is certainly not shared governance. It’s a streamlined, economically focused degree factory with open admissions policies and no real reputation in academia.”(Jessica McBride)
For those who believe the reputation of the University has hindered their future career goals, please make a formal complaint or suggestion to: FormalGrievanceODM@phoenix.edu & complaints@hlcommission.org
Back-Story
Initially, I was extremely pessimistic; I researched the universities accreditation. I was able to locate the University of Phoenix license of accreditation or what appeared to be legit verification (Accreditation). I reached out to peer groups; no one knew anything about the University. I asked my primary care physician about the University. He told me their MBA program was phenomenal. At this point, I was still skeptical, until I looked online; LinkedIn illuminated upon successful business professionals with an MBA from the University of Phoenix. I registered for classes with the University of Phoenix. Half way through my program, I noticed my academic advisor would randomly ask me to recommend the University to friends etc. He pushed the University off as a product. At this point, I was working two jobs and looked forward to graduation.
When I graduated from UOPx, my close friend made a belittling remark about the University. The whole time I was attending the University no one had anything negative to say, but once I graduated the negativity surfaced. One friend was attending Northwestern University; he had a neutral opinion about the University of Phoenix due to their collaboration with the United States Armed Forces.To unravel this puzzle we cannot blame the University of Phoenix exclusively, it’s obvious our peer groups intextually provide or deny hope when making critical decisions.
My personal experience with the university was pleasant; I am proud to be a University of Phoenix graduate. My main concern is the universities reputation. Their goal should be to ensure those affiliated with the University are recognized by the consensus as a viable asset. I have noticed a degree from the University of Phoenix does not weigh up against traditional universities. This is due to their bad reputation as a for profit institution, “University of Phoenix have you Googled yourself?” Those who are not familiar with the university can easily locate unpleasant results via search engines e.g. Google news, Yahoo, Bing etc. My goal is to influence change by getting the university to recognize their faults; this blog highlights steps the university can take to rebrand. Those steps are not complicated especially with the resources available to the University of Phoenix via Apollo education group.
I acknowledge, the University of Phoenix may have exhausted gainful employment tactics; in addition, to mishandling government subsidies. Currently, our alma mater is under investigation; optimistically, this investigation will provide transparency. In parallel, we the alumnus should never degrade or devalue the education we earned from the University of Phoenix.
“Are they just investigating the social work program from University of Phoenix? There are many other programs that counselors and advisors give you advice that charges you more money in the long run. This school does not have anyone’s best interests at heart. I was a student and left because I could not get the answers I was looking for and they kept pushing for me to take out more student loans.”(Fox6)
Once again, the problem is not the University of Phoenix; all educational institutions are designed to provide an opportunity to gain technical proficiencies. Conversely, just because someone is admitted to an institution, it does not mean they are ready to be a scholar. Millions of veterans/service members enroll by means of the GI Bill with a goal of becoming a scholar, in addition to their ability to collect a monthly stipend. Unbeknownst to the general public, those who are granted the GI Bill get an additional allotment for being enrolled part time or full time at an accredited college. Subsequently, those receiving this allotment attend any educational institution that does not require prerequisites for admission, such as the University of Phoenix — of course UOPx and a multitude of online and community colleges receive financial student aid based on the veteran population. Regardless, the education I received from UOPx was phenomenal.
How much does GI Bill pay per month?
“The Montgomery GI Bill is an education benefit which can be worth over $64K. This amount is based on the monthly full-time student payment rate of $1,789 multiplied by the 36-month limit. This “payment rate” automatically increases on the first of October each year.”
http://www.military.com/education/gi-bill/active-duty-gi-bill-users-guide.html
HOW CAN UOPx BE A DOMINANT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION?
1. RESEARCH BASED INSTITUTION
Advantages to a research university; top researchers can also be top teachers. Many researchers carry their passion for the field into the classroom and are inspirational teachers and role models. Additionally, research universities often incorporate the latest research; in addition, offering internships which collaborative research with experts. The most important is you can network with distinguished and well-placed people in the field.
2. REBRAND “Non Profit-Private”
Change is very important. Whether it is a complete overhaul or a few adjustments, every company can stand a bit of improvement. The for profit reputation is bad for business; henceforth, the for profit ideology leads to business problems that eventually sink a business, as shortcuts and bad PR cause customers and employees to leave.
A business must put their clientele first; a business must continuously deliver an experience that can resonate with the consumer. Let me rephrase, this university must put their students first.
I hear the University is going private — when? Tim Slottow
3. PARTNER W/ THE TOP 100 INNOVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
For example: IBM is helping to ensure the explosive demand for data scientists is met by partnering with the following universities to offer Big Data and Analytics curricula: Arizona State University, Babson College, Boston University, Case Western Reserve University, Dakota State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Illinois State University, Indiana University, Iowa State University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, San Jose State University.
4. REINNOVATE
The University of Phoenix is no longer the only online-based educational institution. UOPx should develop an athletic dept. An Athletic department helps develop a communal pride not just for the students but for the local residents. UOPx could have purchased a national football team with the revenue created by tuition cost.
CLICK: I am Glad the University of Phoenix is NOT on this list:
Behind the Battle on Public University Funding
WATCH: https://youtu.be/wsZY2pucN6A
By the way ALL Universities are FOR PROFIT
The stigma behind For Profit institutions is a social construct — for example, how is the term tax lien perceived? For the rich we might hear the term “tax loophole”, and for the everyday individual we might hear “tax evasion”, regardless its all defrauding the system.
Food for thought — the degradation of any educational institution is not a tragedy of the commons. The media continues to tarnish the name of the University of Phoenix based on gainful employment and the misuse of government subsidies. A few media excerpts have created change within the for profit sector, but for the most part these media rants discredit the hard work every student endures. The negative press trickles downward creating a divide in which UOPx graduates are disproportionately overlooked as candidates for hire. In return, student loan debt is inflated and unemployment rates increase, this inherent bias will now become the tax payers burden.
This is not an attack on UOPx, this post is designed to illuminate upon opportunities and much needed change.
