With a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University Ms. Herzing spent a year as a Fulbright scholar teaching adults in Germany. She also earned an MBA online from University of Phoenix in 2001. She rejoined the family business, Herzing University in 1999, becoming its president in 2009.
Describe Herzing and its 14 components.
Herzing University consists of nine campuses in eight states and an online division, all accredited by North Central Association's Higher Learning Commission. Herzing College Canada has four campuses in three provinces, each accredited provincially.
How many staff, faculty and students?
We have 5,000 students in the U.S. and 1,300 in Canada. Four hundred faculty members and an equal number of administrative staff are employed in the U.S. In Canada we employ 60 faculty members and 50 administrators. Our greatest appeal is among adults who have some work experience or have attended college elsewhere. As we've increased our health care offerings, our female students have also increased to about 60 percent of our student body. Most of our campuses are suburban or in mid-sized cities, and our students commute, daytime and nighttime.
How do you expect 2009 to compare to 2008?
We expect revenue for 2009 to be up 25 percent from 2008, which was itself a growth year. Students are flocking to our health care and nursing offerings concerned about "Where will I not be laid off again?" Meanwhile, our business and technology offerings remain strong and are growing.
Why might a student benefit because your name is on the business?
My family and I feel responsbile, and students know it. Students come here looking for a positive change in their lives, and I make sure we do our part to make it happen. That's the example my father set for forty years. Students are first, and I do my best to carry it out.
In which of the following endeavors are Herzing campuses involved: scholarship, talent development, skill development, job training?
To some degree, all four. Talent is often developed in our small classes by instructors who give personal attention to individuals. In our master's degree programs, scholastic research and dissertations are involved. The majority of our efforts however, build skills and prepare people for careers. Critical thinking skills get a high priority here. Don't you want your next nurse or accountant to be a critical thinker and problem-solver?
Does job training include job-finding?
Yes. We have a career services office and staff at each campus. We also have a required one-credit course in job searching, resume writing and interview skills. We enable students to effectively search for jobs in the community of their choice, and online as well.
What keeps you awake at night?
I'm concerned about the college-readiness of U.S. students. Too many high school graduates aren't ready. The shortcomings of K-12 are too great for college remedial courses to bridge the gap.