| United States University | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Knowledge is empowerment. |
| Established | 1997 |
| Type | Private |
| President | Yoram Neumann |
| Provost | Edith Neumann |
| Admin. staff | 60 |
| Students | 250 (Summer 2010) |
| Location | Chula Vista, California, United States |
| Campus | Urban |
| Former names | InterAmerican College (1997–2010) |
| Colors | mahogany, maroon, and gray |
| Website | www.usuniversity.edu |
United States University (USU), is a university with emphasis on nursing and teaching in Chula Vista which is part of (San Diego City and naturally San Diego County). Founded in 1997 as InterAmerican College by Reymundo and Maria Marin[1], the college began as a non-profit college geared to help immigrants transfer degrees. “We noticed a lot of educated immigrants who were working low-wage jobs because they didn’t know where else to go. They were told their degrees from universities in their native countries weren’t valid here.” –Maria Marin[2] According to the 2008 WASC report on InterAmerican College, the area of which the college was previously located (National City) was once considered the 13th most impoverished city in the nation,[3] One of the initial goals of the college was to serve the needs of educated immigrants. Foreign college transcripts would be evaluated by an independent panel that would appraise course work and give the student credit for up to three years of college course work. There would then be one-month courses on weeknights and weekends to complete any remaining requirements for an American degree.[4] InterAmerican College is one of three colleges located in Chula Vista. It is currently a private market driven university that currently holds a mission statement derived from the previous mission statement of University when it was still a non-profit college. The college started out with 12 students. Nearly a thousand students have attended classes either full time or part time at the college. In the first eight years InterAmerican College was initially dedicated to educating future bilingual teachers. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing granted the institution the initial accreditation and approved the liberal studies program as well as the multiple and single subject credential programs. Currently (as of Fall 2010), the United States University nursing program has increased in popularity in comparison to the additionally offered teaching programs.[5] Up until summer of 2010 the college has provided primarily evening and weekend classes.
Contents |
Mission
“United States University strives to become the premier institution of higher learning aimed at addressing the professional higher education needs of the under served groups with special emphasis on Hispanic communities in Southern California by offering high quality, very affordable, learner-centered, and career-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates with a strong student-supported environment derived from the 'La Familia' approach.”
Educational Goals
http://usuniversity.edu/about_mission.html
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) United States University is accredited by the accrediting commission for senior colleges and universities by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)[7]
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) In June 2000, CCTC had awarded the initial accreditation to the college. By June 2001 the CCTC approved the Liberal Studies and credential programs. In May 2003, the commission on accreditation approved the 2042 multiple and single subject credential with a Spanish emphasis. In June 2003, CCTC approved the liberal studies program for elementary teachers, the fifth year of students and clear credential program and CLAD certificate.[8]
The Board of Registered Nursing On December 15, 2006 the board of registered nursing issued the accreditation of United States University to conduct a school of nursing in the State of California in accordance with the provisions of Division 2, Chapter 6, Business and Professions code and Title 16, Division 14 of the California code of regulations.[9]
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing was later added to the list of offerings at United States University as well as approved by WASC in 2010. The BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four year degree that focuses in science and principles of nursing.[10]
As of the summer of 2010, the program offerings at United States University include Nursing, Science, Education, Spanish, and Interdisciplinary Studies which are all a part of the Universities accredited programs.
In 2010 WASC confirmed the name change of InterAmerican College to United States University which was geared to reflect the new status of University granted to the college. This name change was initiated by the new leadership team which took the reins in early 2010. Dr. Yoram Neumann was appointed president (former President, CEO, and founder of TUI University, he was also vice president for academic affairs at California State University Dominguez Hills).[11] Dr. Edith Neumann (former Vice President for Academic Affairs at TUI) was appointed the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of the college. Tom Finaly (former Vice President for Administration at TUI University) was named the Chief Operating Officer and Roy Finaly (the former Vice President for Information Technology at TUI University) was appointed the Chief Information Officer.
This team was appointed by investor and owner Michael K. Clifford, the Chairman of Significant Federation, LLC.[12]
“The new leadership team will enable us to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of InterAmerican College and to provide the best learning experience to our students as a Hispanic serving institution.” – Michael K. Clifford[13]
Since the opening of the college in 1997 the college has been a subject of media attention. Several articles were featured on the unique direction of the institution. Minerva Canto of The Associated Press wrote in 1999 wrote a piece on Jun 29th of that year that highlighted the then new college helping immigrants get U.S. degrees. “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25.2 percent of immigrants who arrived “in the United States after 1990 had college degrees, but many of them were found in low-skill low-wage jobs, some because they are unfamiliar with the educational system and don’t know how to ensure that they get the proper credit for the schooling they got in other countries.”[14]
Leonel Sanchez published an article in the San Diego Union Tribune titled “Mexican immigrants find success comes by degrees” again illustrating the unique transfer process of immigrants foreign degrees to America.[15]
Events such as a two day conference on “Early San Diego Regional History” was featured in the San Diego Union Tribune on September 16, 2007.[16]
Hipanic PR Wire published a press release on March 20 about the strategic alliance agreement of InterAmerican College with Educacion Significativa, LLC. The article denotes “The Board of Directors of InterAmerican College IAC, as Hispanic serving institution of higher learning established in 1997 has entered into a definitive agreement with Educacion Significativa…to form a unique strategic alliance to further the mission of the founders to provide high quality teacher education and nursing degrees.” It goes on to further explain the new relationship between the previous owners/founders of the college and the new owner.[17]
Janine Zuniga of the Union Tribune published an article “Small college sees spike in enrollment” which highlighted the positive effect of the new leadership team on the college. There was a 40% increase in enrollment since the new team took the reins. The popularity of United States University is not due to a the cheaper price tag but because of the cost-effective fast track courses.[18]
InterAmerican College was founded under the Marins “La Familia” model. La Familia is a support system model that focuses on academic rigor, personal attention, and motivation through the creation of a nurturing environment.[19] According to the United States University website the Famila model is created by the students, staff, and teachers through linguistic diversity featured all over the college. The familia spirit caters to returning adult students whom often are balancing work and family with educational goals. “They are there to help each other, to encourage one another, and to ensure that everyone is respected for their culture and their language proficiency. This spirit reduces the affective filter and allows students to learn in a safe and accepting environment.”[20]
From starting with 12 students and maintaining a consistently small college before the new management took the reins to growing by 40% in a six month period ending after the first quarter of 2010, the college is continuing to grow quickly. Future plans are to include a bigger and more comfortable campus for the students in San Diego as well as a brand new branch campus in Cypress, CA which was announced to the student body in June, 2010.
The name change has not affected the values and goals of the institution. Dr. Neumann exclaimed that “Most of our students are either immigrants or they their first generation offspring from undeserved groups, with a special emphasis on Hispanic communities in Southern California. We aim at bringing them into higher education, facilitating their integration in the U.S. society (the name United States University was thought to symbolizes this facet), and improving their economic condition. We are convinced that our graduates will have a strong positive impact on the region as well as the entire nation.”[21]
More Masters degree programs are currently in development according to the college website. Now that the college has university status they plan to work on several Masters and Doctorate programs which would typically be offered at universities. Even during the hard times of the educational sector where many schools are looking to cut enrollment and class offerings, USU is growing.[22] “Our class sizes stay small, tuition remains affordable, and we continue to give personal attention to every student.” – Tom Finaly[23]
The new Chula Vista campus opened May 2011 in San Diego County.
The building used to be leased by the MAAC Project prior to the opening of the college in 1997.[24] In some local listings the business still comes up under the local address. It is a medium sized commercial building that has the main floor and a basement where other businesses reside.