Upper Iowa University opens 19th education center in Mesa
FAYETTE, Iowa (September 13, 2012) – Upper Iowa University is opening its 19th education center in Mesa, Arizona, this fall. The center will begin offering classes in October in a temporary location and move into a more permanent location later.
"The University has a very successful history of opening off-campus locations in numerous states that provide quality education to local students," said UIU President Alan G. Walker. "We look forward to a long-term relationship that not only benefits the University but that also helps the city realize its vision of bringing greater educational opportunities to Mesa, and, even more importantly, provides thousands of Mesa area residents with the benefits of a college degree."
"Upper Iowa University is another legacy institution that has decided to locate in Mesa," Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said. "We welcome them to Mesa and applaud their long-time commitment to their students and connection to the communities they serve."
Walker said UIU responded to a request for proposal from the City of Mesa, which is working to expand educational offerings to area residents through the Higher Education Initiative. UIU has been providing educational programs beyond its Fayette campus since the 1970s and has been establishing education centers to serve communities across the United States for more than 25 years.
"Upper Iowa University is celebrating its 155th anniversary of providing quality education," Walker added. "As the largest, private, independent not-for-profit educational institution in Iowa, we have the expertise to provide the same high-quality excellent academic programs to all our students – on campus, in our community education centers or online. We focus on creating affordable, flexible education programs that help our students while allowing them to balance work, family, and the rest of their lives. We expect enrollment at the Mesa Center to grow quickly and that UIU-Mesa will soon be one of our largest educational centers."
Initially, UIU is offering courses at the Mesa Public Schools Student Services Building, 1025 N. Country Club Drive, which will also house the UIU administrative office until a permanent location is secured.
Walker said the University is hoping to find a permanent location that supports the City of Mesa's plans for economic development and redevelopment efforts in west Mesa. "We are fully committed to supporting local communities," he added. "In our home location of Fayette, Iowa, we partner with the city on economic development initiatives, grant writing, downtown restoration, and even creation of new business. We understand the importance of maintaining a vibrant community, and we look forward to working with the City of Mesa.
UIU has named Barbara Murdock as the UIU-Mesa center director, and she began her duties September 4. Murdock has a background in print and television journalism, as well as sales and higher education. She has served as a senior admissions manager with the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, an executive enrollment advisor/trainer with Western International University and an adjunct faculty and academic advisor with Ottawa University. Murdock earned a bachelor's of arts degree in broadcast journalism and management from the Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications and her master of arts in organizational management/human relations from the University of Phoenix.
UIU has a unique academic calendar that offers classes in six-eight-week terms year-round. "Admission is on a rolling basis, so no one is ever more than 8 weeks from starting class," Murdock said. "In addition, our online and independent study programs allow students to find additional options for their coursework. Students frequently can find the course they need right away and don't have to lose valuable time in pursuing completion of their degree. All UIU classes are accepted regardless of the learning format, which makes degree completion easier."
UIU-Mesa will offer the following majors: Elementary Education; Nursing - RN to BSN; Business (accounting, business administration, human resources management, and management); Criminal Justice; Human Services; Psychology; Public Administration (general, law enforcement or fire science emphasis areas); and Social Science. UIU can help students access financial aid for which they are eligible, and some UIU scholarships will be offered to assist at-risk Mesa students.
Classes are currently forming. Additional information is available on the UIU website at www.uiu.edu. The Mesa center can be contacted at 480-834-4620 or murdockb@uiu.edu.
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to about 6,200 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu