La Jolla, Calif. – Dr. Jerry C. Lee, who has served as Chancellor of the National University System since 2001 and who previously served as President of National University from 1989 to 2007, has officially retired as Chancellor of the National University System effective September 15, 2013, it was announced today.
Dr. Lee’s relentless commitment to National University’s core values and pursuit of quality has yielded a first-rate faculty, cutting edge facilities, technology and services designed to better serve the university’s students, and national recognition for academic programs and assessment at National University.
“The success of National University and the National University System under Dr. Lee is truly one of the remarkable achievements in higher education over the past 24 years,” said Herb Meistrich, Chair of the National University System Board of Trustees. “We are looking forward to building upon the wonderful foundation he has established.”
“The past 24 years have been some of the most extraordinary years of my life, and I have been blessed to have been associated with such outstanding students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of the System community,” said Dr. Lee. “I believe the National University System’s best years lie ahead, and I look forward to supporting its future progress with great pride.”
When Dr. Lee took over National University in 1989, the University was struggling financially and in danger of losing its accreditation. Under Dr. Lee’s guidance, today National University is the second-largest, private nonprofit WASC-accredited university in California; is virtually debt free; has an endowment of $500 million; supports an alumni community of more than 130,000; and offers more than 130 degree programs and 23 credentials, with over 70 programs offered 100 percent online.
As Chancellor, Dr. Lee oversaw the affiliates of the National University System, including: National University; John F. Kennedy University; City University of Seattle; National University International; the Division of Pre-College Programs, consisting of National University Virtual High School and National University Academy; Spectrum Pacific Learning; and WestMed College.
Dr. Lee also was responsible for the creation and growth of several entities related to the System, including the Center for Integrative Health, the Center for Performance Psychology, the National University Golf Academy, and the National University System Institute for Policy Research.
During his time as President of National University, Dr. Lee recorded an impressive list of accomplishments, including: preparing more teachers each year than any other single California institution for the past 13 years and housing the largest master’s degree program in special education in California and the second-largest in the nation.
National University also has been recognized for offering access to traditionally underserved learners. Under Dr. Lee, National University ranked first in California in awarding master’s degrees to Hispanics, African Americans and women, and first in the nation in awarding master’s degrees in education to Hispanics and African Americans.
The National University System Board of Trustees is expected to announce a new Chancellor at its October 2013 meeting. Until a new Chancellor is selected, the President of National University, Dr. Michael Cunningham, has assumed leadership of the National University System.
“Through Dr. Lee’s visionary leadership over the past 24 years, National University has become the American success story of contemporary higher education in the 21st century,” said President Cunningham. “His focus on affordability, access, accelerated pace learning and academic excellence has had a profound impact on the students and communities in which we serve.”
About the National University System
National University System was established to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century. The System is uniquely aligned to connect a diverse population of students to a network of innovative educational programs that are relevant to their lives, careers, and the marketplace and are delivered in a format that respects competing life priorities. Dr. Jerry C. Lee has served as the System’s Chancellor since it was founded in 2001. The affiliates of the System are: National University; John F. Kennedy University; City University of Seattle; National University International; the Division of Pre-College Programs, which includes National University Virtual High School and National University Academy; Spectrum Pacific Learning; and WestMed College. Entities related to the System include: the National University System Institute for Policy Research; the Center for Integrative Health; National University Golf Academy; and the Center for Performance Psychology.
About National University
Founded in 1971, National University is the second-largest private, nonprofit university in California. With 30,000 students and more than 230,000 alumni, National University is the flagship institution of the National University System. National University is dedicated to making lifelong learning opportunities accessible, challenging, and relevant to a diverse population of students. Five schools and one college – the College of Letters and Sciences; the School of Business and Management; the School of Education; the School of Engineering, Technology and Media; the School of Health and Human Services; and the School of Professional Studies – offer 133 graduate and undergraduate degree program and 23 teacher credentials at more than 45 locations throughout California and across the nation. A leader in online education, National University offers more than 70 degree programs online. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California.