Regent Responds to Higher Education 'Wake-Up Call'
In an effort to keep up with the new economic challenges of obtaining higher education, Virginia's Regent University is launching a major growth initiative.
"Ballooning costs have become the number one issue that prevents students from accessing high quality education, while at the same time, costs are also the number one challenge affecting universities," Regent's Chancellor Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson said Friday.
To combat these obstacles, the school will add some 40 new degree, concentration and certificate programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels beginning this fall. Among the new offerings are:
- Cyber Security
- RN to BSN
- Early Childhood Education
- Computer Science
- Healthcare Management
- Politics and History
- Political Communication
- Paralegal Studies
- Bachelor of Applied Science degree with 3 majors (Criminal Justice, Management and Leadership, Information Systems)
- Wealth Management & Financial Planning
- Master of Psychology
- Accounting
The private, faith-based university will also create a new 24/7 academic support center designed to meet the needs of students.
The news follows a spring semester that saw a record 30 percent increase in students, and a 70 percent increase in new student enrollment this summer.
"Following a major, year-long outreach, it is the best spring enrollment in the university's history, the first time in a decade that our spring enrollment growth topped the fall enrollment, said Gerson Moreno-Riano, executive vice president for academic affairs at Regent.
"Our growth numbers are very promising and we are projecting double-digit increases in the fall," he said.
Meanwhile, Robertson suggested it would be wise for other schools to follow Regent's lead.
"Seeing schools like Sweet Briar close their doors should be a wake-up call for every university to review their operations and offerings," Robertson warned.
"Regent is addressing this issue by proactively investing in sustainable growth, now, so that we are much better positioned to offer accessible, quality education at an affordable price for students," he said.
