Leading a Niche Market in University Circles - Nu Leadership Series

By: Daryl Green
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:26:26
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“Any committee is only as good as the most knowledgeable, determined and vigorous person on it. There must be somebody who provides the flame.” Lady Bird Johnson

With the huge market demands for learning in businesses, what organizations are meeting these needs? Innovative educational institutions have found a niche that traditional institutions have ignored, snubbed, or overlooked; this is primarily adult learners.

Davis, author of Future Perfect, maintains that distance learning provides new opportunities to students because it provides portable education. Morgan, author of Imagination, argues that empowering people in organizations stimulates imagination and innovation. Before selecting Regent University, I reviewed several graduate programs extensively. Below are my top eight innovative doctoral programs:

Nova Southeastern University– the largest independent institution of higher education in the Southeast, with more than 25,000 students.

Northcentral University - the convenience of 100% online distance learning. University of Phoenix - over 17,000 faculty, and staff, serving the University's 200,000 adult students, globally.

Touro University International – an accredited 100% on-line doctorate program in business.

Antioch University- doctoral programs with an individualized student learning with faculty mentoring and intensive-residency.

Capella University – online degrees with more than 825 faculty members around the country.

Fielding Institute – doctoral student’s participation with a scholarly community of scholars throughout the world.

Walden University – an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online (engineering, human services, etc.) to working professionals.

There are numerous non-traditional institutions entering the marketplace. You have plenty of options. How can you effectively locate them? I would suggest you examine the Jonnie’s Distance Learning Page (http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/haven/2386/dlacc.html).

Don’t settle for the snobby attitudes of academic traditionalists. Students can take advance of these innovative institutions thereby sending a clear message to traditional universities. Therefore, this message demonstrates the market power of the Knowledge Worker.

References:

Davis, S. (1996). Future Perfect. New York: Addison-Wesley.

Morgan, G. (1997). Imagination. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

© 2006 by Daryl D. Green

Daryl D. Green has published over 100 articles in the field of decision-making (personal and organizational), leadership, and organizational behavior. Mr. Green is also the author of two acclaimed books, Awakening the Talents Within and My Cup Runneth Over. He is a columnist, lecturer, professor, and management consultant. Mr. Green has a BS in engineering and a MA in organizational management. Currently, he is a doctoral degree in strategic leadership. For more information,visit his website at http://www.darylgreen.org

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