Online university opens first Valley campus

EDINBURG ? Debbie Buchanan?s workday rarely repeats itself.

As senior education specialist at the Region One Education Service Center, the student testing expert frequenftly attends education seminars across the state and travels throughout the Rio Grande Valley, assisting 37 school districts from Laredo to Brownsville.

At the same time, Buchanan, 52, struggled to make room for her own professional development.

?I always wanted to get a doctorate. It was just a matter of how and ? more importantly ? when,? she said. ?I can?t commit to a class where I need to be there every Tuesday and Thursday.

?That?s just not my lifestyle,? Buchanan added, ?but online, I can do that in the office, at home in pajamas, at an airport, anywhere.?

Inspired by her supervisor, she enrolled in the University of Phoenix in 2008 and within three years, she had earned her doctorate through a dissertation on special education in the Valley.

Buchanan recently offered her praise of the for-profit, online university, which operates more than 200 locations across the country and opened its first physical campus south of San Antonio in Mission this month.

?It?s more rigorous, more demanding than I imagined,? she said. ?So many people dropped out who started in my same (doctoral program) cohort. Those of us who made it to the end have taken ourselves to the next level of our careers.?

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?TODAY?S STUDENT?

Earlier this month, local mayors, workforce development officials and university alumni attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Mikal Powers, the first director the McAllen campus, which is located at 4201 S. Shary Road in Missionf.

A Phoenix graduate himself, Powers said the Valley location has been in the works for at least two years and follows a growing demand from border residents hoping to expand their horizons. Across the Valley, the university currently counts 550 students and nearly 700 graduates.

?Today?s student has broken out of the old model,? Powers said. ?They can juggle one to two jobs, a family (and) community responsibilities. All they want is a flexible schedule.

?We offer that,? he said. ?And sometimes it?s better to sit in classes with peers that are like you, rather than thousands of fresh high school graduates on a traditional university campus.?

With nearly 100 academic programs available online, the university will offer the new campus to Valley residents who still prefer an in-class approach to higher education.

Students can select from 29 different bachelor?s and master?s degree options, mostly in business and criminal justice studies, with local professionals teaching those on-campus classes.

?The No. 1 benefit of being in class with people from professional backgrounds is hearing their perspectives, building a post-graduation network, knowing the faculty all work in the real world and maintain a relevancy in their courses,? Powers said.

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PROS AND CONS

Though students can switch as they please between online and physical classes, the price and success rate of the University of Phoenix could play a larger factor than convenience.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, or NCES, estimated tuition for the online university can top $11,520 per academic year. In contrast, Texas residents attending the University of Texas-Pan American or South Texas College would only pay about $4,795 and $2,678, respectively.

But echoing Powers, Keith Patridge, CEO and president of the McAllen Economic Development Corp., said students will benefit from having an alternative and individually weigh the pros and cons.

?I don?t even begin to profess what?s the best selection for them,? he said. ?When you start looking at population size and look at other metropolitan areas around the country ? tell me how many have just one four-year and graduate-level institution and one two-year community college institution?

?There is such a demand and opportunity that we haven?t even begun to fill the educational needs in our community,? Patridge added. ?Consumers ? students in this case ? benefit from more competition.?

However, competition has bred mixed results.

The NCES says UTPA has a 19 percent student loan default. But the University of Phoenix?s online students have a 93 percent default rate, and students who attend the San Antonio campus have an 85 percent default rate.

That may occur because for-profit students are more likely to be unemployed six years after entering college and make on average between $1,800 and $2,000 less than their peers, the National Bureau of Economic Research reports.

However, graduation rates are nearly identical for UTPA and the University of Phoenix: 35 percent and 34 percent, respectively.

Though Powers could not speak to national studies or statistics, he said his university has revamped its academic and graduate support services to enhance students? employability and success.

He highlighted new online resources that provide financial consultants, career guidance, national and local networks and even daily services, such as daycare and counseling services.

?Take me as a prime example of the transition services offered to re-enter the workforce and apply your new skills,? Powers said. ?If you asked around, you?d be surprised how many University of Phoenix graduates lead McAllen businesses and services.

?We?re dedicated to connecting the goals you want to achieve, the education you need to get there and the people who want to hire you.?

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Neal Morton covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at nmorton@themonitor.com and (956) 683-4472.

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Source: http://www.themonitor.com/news/online-58290-opens-university.html

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