By María Sonnenberg
For Al Día Today

FORT LAUDERDALE – In 1977, Arthur Keiser and his mother decided to launch their own school of higher learning. They started with one student in Ft. Lauderdale.

35 years later, the school is now a university with more than 20,000 students studying for associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in 60 different fields of study offered in 15 campuses, including an online school. 1,050 students attend the Brevard Campus, the second in the university's meteoric expansion.

"Brevard is one of our larger campuses," said Belinda Keiser, vice chancellor of community relations and student advancement.

"It was part of our long term goal to remain community based rather than grow into single large facility, so we chose Melbourne. Melbourne has been extremely supportive of us."

The university prides itself in its diversity.

"50% of our students are of Hispanic, African American or Asian American descent," said Keiser.

"We have 200 students in our master's in business administration program completely taught in Spanish."

The school was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1991. Keiser University's online school ranks in the top 12 nationally. Its reach extends globally through international programs that include its Latin Division and a branch campus in Shanghai, China.

Keiser University recently transitioned from a private institution into a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit university, a move that allows the school to access additional scholarship opportunities to students. To celebrate the 35th. anniversary of the school, a $1 million dollar gift was added to the $14 million in scholarships of the Keiser Mills Foundation.

Adult and non-traditional students remain the university's primary focus. 33% of Keiser students are looking retraining in new fields, and many already have college degrees. 60% of Keiser students are 25 years and older. 65% have been previously enrolled in a state college or university. 75% work while going to school. Only 14% of incoming students are recent high school graduates.

Keiser has stepped up to the plate to combat the grim job outlook predicted by the shifting of Kennedy Space Center priorities. The university offers degree in hot fields such as allied health and business administration, so displaced workers can shift careers successfully and painlessly. Twenty of the school's current programs are ranked in the top 100 fastest growing occupations in Florida, reported the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistic Center.

The national publication Community College Week ranked Keiser as the second largest producer of two-year degrees for health professionals and as the third for registered nursing degrees in the nation.

"These statistics further validate our mission to prepare career-minded students for in-demand job fields," said Keiser.

The university's ability to reshape futures may prove heaven sent for displaced workers in Brevard.

"For example, one of our students in the Melbourne campus has a master's in engineering and worked at the Kennedy Space Center, but is now retraining in respiratory therapy because that is such a hot career," said Keiser, who for two years served as chair of Workforce Florida.

"People love this community and want to stay, so they look at jobs with long term growth potential."

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