The purpose of a school
A school (from Greek σχολεῖον - scholeion) is an institution designed to allow and encourage students (or "pupils") to learn, under the supervision of teachers.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School
A few days ago a potential enrollee asked Tammy (our Director of Admissions), “What sets your school apart from all the others?” This is a fairly common question, but one that we sometimes struggle to address. Typically we talk about our focus on customer service, on students, on our experienced faculty, and so forth...probably pretty much the same thing that other schools say as well.
So I spent some time thinking about it, and then the answer occurred to me: When you look at another school, find out which is their main concern – enrolling or teaching? Admissions or education? I’ve visited many schools over the last three years to learn as much as I could about this “business” of education. Almost always, I found the largest and most impressive department was the admissions department. Most schools have an abundant admissions staff who spend many hours trying to enroll students.
A few months ago, I spoke with a former executive of one of the publically-held schools who told me “Don, it's simple - this is a marketing game. It's all about sales and driving enrollments; I never let those guys over in the education department get in my way.”
That conversation had a big impact on my thinking - although it was not advice which I took to heart.
Since my first day here back in 2005, my mantra has been that our goal at Andrew Jackson University is to enroll, teach and graduate our students. This has not changed; to teach and to graduate is very important. I believe in our faculty. I believe in our students. I believe in our staff. Many of the recent changes at AJU are to make the education experience better for our students. We’ve made it easier for students to enroll by launching the sponsored tuition plan, which significantly reduces our enrollment costs so that we can spend our resources on teaching…on being a school.
So what does set us apart?
First and foremost, AJU is a school. Unfortunately, a lot of the others are sales organizations first, and a school second.
Happy studying,
Don Kassner
Driving down John Hawkins Pkwy in Hoover Alabama, we notice a small sign by the road. "Andrew Jackson University". We see a building on the hill through the trees. Not a huge campus, nothing spectacular, just this presence and feeling that something is happening on that hill (after all Hoover is Happening). As I search for AJU on the net, I find a terrific opportunity available to us all, an opportunity to expand our education. The first thing "I" notice is Brian Tracy's name and the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Now that's not a college course you see everyday. Brian Tracy is one of the best when it comes to Entrepreneurship.
Andrew Jackson University seems to be a "different" type of university concentrating on what I would call "Real Life" education. Education you can take to the streets and use.
I applaud what I have read on the site and will be keeping myself informed.
My wife and I own a small business just down the street.
One thing that might help people to become more informed about AJU is to put the URL on the sign by the road.
My $.02
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