Innovative educational leaders National University and the Maricopa County Community College District re-commit to advance and expand seamless transfer pathways for students and employees
SAN DIEGO, CA (NOVEMBER 2, 2023) — National University (NU), a distinguished non-profit university founded by Veterans and recognized as one of the most prominent private non-profit Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) in the United States with over 43,000 students, and Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), one of the nation’s largest community college systems in terms of enrollment with approximately 10,000 full and part-time employees and a student population of close to 100,000, today jointly announced their re-commitment to a transformative educational partnership between NU and MCCCD to create seamless pathways to possibilities for students, alumni, and employees to pursue bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
“The partnership between National University and Maricopa County Community College District, both nationally recognized access and success innovators, will open the door for aspiring students to pursue their education goals and enable professionals to excel in their careers through advanced degrees,” said National University President and CEO Dr. Mark D. Milliron, who attended Mesa Community College in the Maricopa County Community College District. “As a first-generation college student, I understand the importance of removing barriers, providing seamless transfer pathways, and expanding access to make higher education a reality.”
According to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), nationally Hispanic enrollment in institutions of higher education is expected to exceed more than 4 million by 2026, surpassing the growth rate of any other ethnic group by over 10%.
Over its 50-year history, National University has grown to become the largest conferrer of graduate degrees to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students in the country, and a top three conferrer of doctoral degrees overall. More than 50% of NU graduates are women, 50% of NU undergraduate students are active-duty military, Veterans, and dependents, and about 40% of NU students are first-generation college students.
“MCCCD is excited to share our commitment with National University continuing to find new ways, through this incredible tuition discount opportunity, to ensure Hispanic/Latino learners are equipped with the tools and resources needed to ensure academic success and close equity gaps,” said MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. “While college enrollment of Hispanic and Latino students continues to rise, so does our determination to empower our diverse student populations to reach greater heights through higher education.”
As Hispanic Serving Institutions, NU and MCCCD share a mission to remove barriers so that nontraditional students, including working, diverse, and military students, will have the best access to quality education. NU delivers on this by offering a credential-rich education with industry-relevant degree programs ensuring graduates are well prepared for real-world challenges. NU’s holistic approach to student support, well-being, and success – called Whole Human Education™ — focuses on supporting the whole student by offering the financial, academic, emotional, career, and family support students need to successfully attain a higher education degree.
The NU and MCCCD partnership provides striving community college students seamless transfer pathways and offers a 25% tuition discount scholarship for current students and for recent alumni who have graduated with a transferable associate degree. Further, the partnership offers MCCCD employees educational advancement opportunities through a 25% tuition discount scholarship for most bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a 15% tuition discount scholarship for doctoral degrees.
“National University offers a comprehensive suite of online master and doctoral pathways along with a wide array of baccalaureate programs in flexible four-week and eight-week courses to provide as many options as possible for Maricopa County Community College District students and employees,” said Dr. Gerardo de los Santos, vice president of community college relations at National University and recent inductee into the American Association of Community College Leadership Hall of Fame. “As a former MCCCD graduate and transfer student, I know firsthand what a transformational experience community college was for me, and I look forward to partnering with MCCCD to create accessible — and equitable — pathways for community college students and employees to continue on their educational journey.”
For more information about National University’s community college transfer pathways, visit NU.edu
About National University
National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, credential-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.
About Maricopa County Community College District (Edit/Change Content by MCCCD)
Maricopa County Community College District Is a multi-college district with ten colleges, 31 satellite locations, and a district office across Maricopa County and the Metro Phoenix Area. As Arizona’s most extensive community college system, MCCCD enrolls nearly 140,000 students annually, offers over 600 degree and certificate programs, and in the Fall of 2023, launched new BA programs. MCCCD is also proud to be the No.1 provider of undergraduate education to students of color in the state of Arizona. Our commitment to access and affordability is seen in our diverse student population, 48% of whom are the first in their family to attend college, visit Maricopa.edu