The chancellor of the newly-minted Purdue University Global says the online institution built from the acquisition of Kaplan University is already attracting interest. “There are more than 400 people on Purdue campuses who have said that they would like to get a Purdue Global degree,” said Betty Vandenbosch, “so that’s great feedback right off the bat.” She says Purdue Global’s student body will range from mid-career professionals to military-affiliated learners to former college attendees looking to complete degrees.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Vandenbosch said the Purdue and Purdue Global brands will build off of each other. “We will be looking at new programs and taking ideas both ways,” she said. “The skills that Purdue Global has in teaching adults and helping parts of the Purdue University system as it was previously constituted build their capabilities in teaching adults through distance education and at the same time, we know that there are subject matter experts on Purdue campuses who will help Purdue Global build new and strong degrees.”
The acquisition, initially announced last April, closed late last month and involved 14 Kaplan campuses and 2,100 employees. Following Monday’s official unveiling of Purdue Global, a name approved in January by Purdue trustees and last month by the Higher Learning Commission, Vandenbosch said “it’s very early and we expect lots more going forward. We’ve been on a journey, but now the real journey begins.”