Latest news with #GrandCanyonUniversity
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Canyon University, Lovelace partner on accelerated nursing program in Albuquerque
Jun. 3—Brandy Vandermolen loved the excitement and constant change of working in emergency medical services for seven years. Now, she wants to be on stable ground as a hospital nurse. Vandermolen, who lives in the Albuquerque area, will graduate from Grand Canyon University's new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in April to achieve this goal. The university's Albuquerque campus officially launched its program on Tuesday — an innovative partnership between the school and Lovelace Health System, which offers students hands-on learning through in-person clinical settings. The program, a 16-month curriculum that also includes online learning, directly addresses New Mexico's nursing shortage by putting professionals in the field faster. Stacey Fort, Lovelace director of education, said there are about 7,000 nursing jobs posted in New Mexico alone. Separately, the state could lose 5,140 nurses over the next 10 years, according to a 2024 Think New Mexico report. "We've had a nursing shortage for decades, but COVID really changed the whole scene of nursing staffing," Fort said. "New Mexico only has 16,000 practicing nurses. We need more than that." Danielle Edwards, GCU executive director of nursing services, said the program enrolls cohorts every spring, summer and fall semester. The university has similar setups across the country, including one in St. Louis, Missouri, that launched last year. She said each group has a maximum capacity of 48, adding that the goal is to keep these students in New Mexico upon graduation. The 16-month curriculum includes online coursework, in-person clinicals and immersive skills labs at GCU's Albuquerque campus, which received upgrades as part of its partnership with Lovelace. The GCU facility houses a student lounge, an immersive simulation suite, two skills labs and two classrooms. Edwards said construction began last August and was completed in December, ready to aid the first cohort of Albuquerque students who started classes in January, including Vandermolen. The collaboration also allows students to complete clinicals at Lovelace sites, giving them real-world experience and helping foster professional relationships with instructors. Fort said the partnership also provides Lovelace's staff with opportunities to grow by becoming GCU adjunct faculty. "Our instructors were nurses, so they bring a wealth of information," Vandermolen said. "Partnering with Lovelace and getting to go on their sites and meet the nurses that are working currently, talking with them and their experiences, and the things that they find important for us to know to implement in our care is really important."
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US Department of Education drops record $37.7 million fine against Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University cleared in record US education fine reversal. (AI Image) In a major development for higher education in the US, the Department of Education has rescinded a $37.7 million fine previously levied against Grand Canyon University (GCU), the nation's largest Christian university . The decision was made official through a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal issued by the Office of Hearings and Appeals, which concluded that there were no findings against GCU or its employees, and no fine would be imposed. The fine was originally described as the largest in the department's history. GCU announced the outcome through a press release, stating that the ruling fully cleared the institution of any wrongdoing and closed a years-long legal dispute with the federal agency. Background of the record-breaking fine The Department of Education had accused GCU of misleading more than 7,500 students regarding the actual cost of its doctoral programs. According to the agency, the university advertised tuition ranges between $40,000 and $49,000, though fewer than 2% of graduates completed their programs within that price range. The department cited additional required 'continuation courses' as a factor that pushed costs higher, often by $10,000 to $12,000. GCU strongly denied the allegations, maintaining that it clearly disclosed all tuition-related information. GCU President Brian Mueller , as quoted by Christian Post, stated, 'The facts clearly support our contention that we were wrongly accused of misleading our Doctoral students and we appreciate the recognition that those accusations were without merit.' Claims of bias against Christian institutions M ueller has previously argued that the fine was part of a larger pattern of unfair targeting of Christian universities by federal agencies. In comments reported by Christian Post, he noted that GCU has been widely recognized for transparency, saying, 'We give the cost of the entire program to students up front at all three levels — bachelor's, master's and doctoral.' He also highlighted discrepancies in penalties against institutions, pointing out that the fines imposed on GCU and another Christian university dwarfed penalties issued to major public universities involved in high-profile abuse scandals. According to data cited by the American Principles Project, Christian colleges — though they serve fewer than 10% of US students — account for about 70% of the enforcement actions by the Department's Office of Enforcement. The average fine against Christian schools was reported to be significantly higher than that for non-religious institutions. GCU faces additional scrutiny Following the original fine, GCU was also targeted by a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit and an audit by the Department of Veterans Affairs. As reported by Christian Post, the lawsuit was later dismissed by the US District Court of Arizona, which ruled that the FTC lacked jurisdiction over GCU. A department spokesperson, quoted by Christian Post, contrasted the current administration's approach with that of the previous one, stating that the Trump administration would not target institutions based on religious affiliation, and enforcement would be based strictly on facts and fairness. Founded by the Southern Baptist Convention, GCU transitioned to a for-profit model amid financial challenges and has since become the largest Christian university in the country by enrollment. The university continues to position itself as a leader in transparency and innovation in higher education. Invest in Their Tomorrow, Today: Equip your child with the essential AI skills for a future brimming with possibilities | Join Now
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mom Hugged a Stranger in the Produce Aisle, Then Sent Her Daughter This Wild Text (Exclusive)
Sarah Bridge's biggest hype woman is her mom, Christina Recently, Sarah was minding her own business, studying on the couch, when she got an unexpected text from her mom In the photo, Christina was hugged a random man in the grocery storeSarah Bridge's biggest hype woman is her mom, Christina. The mother-daughter duo share the kind of bond where they can go from a deep heart-to-heart to laughing until they cry — all in less than 30 seconds. So it came as no surprise when, recently, 22-year-old Sarah was minding her own business, studying on the couch, when she got an unexpected text from her mom: a photo of Christina beaming as she hugged a random man in the grocery store. It was followed by a message that read, 'Found your husband!' "My initial reaction was just confusion — like, who is this tall man and why is my mom holding him like she's known him for years?" Sarah, who lives in Phoenix, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I didn't recognize him at all, so I knew he wasn't from our hometown, which made it even more random. I couldn't tell if I should be concerned or impressed." 'I genuinely thought she was joking — like, was this some prank? Nope! She was dead serious,' she adds. 'She had walked up to this guy in the middle of the produce section and told him, 'I have a 6-foot single daughter who doesn't believe there are tall guys here at home — can I get a picture with you?' ' After reading the text, Sarah, a Grand Canyon University graduate, was torn between laughing and spamming her mom with 20 question marks until she finally explained herself. While her mom, who works as an ultrasound technician in Olympia, Wash., had meddled in her love life before, this was a whole new level. "She went from gentle nudges to full-on casting director for my love life in the span of one produce aisle," Sarah jokes. "It was peak mom energy: totally unhinged but kind of iconic." Not long after, Sarah decided to share the moment on TikTok. Since her mom hadn't gotten the guy's name, number or even his Instagram, posting about it felt like her best shot at tracking him down. Plus, she knew her friends would get a kick out of it — especially since they all know and love her mom's antics. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. But then, the video blew up. Sarah woke up to more than 8 million views and thousands of comments and suddenly, it felt like the whole Internet was invested in the grocery store love connection. "I expected maybe a few people to laugh along with me ... not millions," Sarah says. "It was wild to see how many people thought it was just as funny and chaotic as I did. My phone basically turned into a second job overnight with all the notifications. I kept thinking, 'Wait, this is the thing that's going viral?' " "Reading through the comments was honestly one of the best parts," she adds. "I was cracking up, people are so clever. Some of my absolute favorites were: 'Does your mom have business cards?' and 'When my mom goes to the store, she only comes back with groceries.' " She continues, "I also loved how invested everyone got, people were saying, 'We all need an update,' and 'So we're all invited to the wedding, right?' " But everything changed when Sarah got one specific message less than 12 hours after posting the video. 'Hey there!! I'm that guy your mom found at the grocery store. Really nice lady, by the way — no need to apologize!' it read. "I was shocked," Sarah says. "Not only is he not from my town, but he's not even from my country, he's from Canada. It's not too far, but I never expected the TikTok algorithm to reach all the way there! Boy, was I wrong. Even his friends reached out and said things like, 'Hey! The guy your mom found in the grocery store is my boyfriend's brother. What a small world,' and 'That guy your mom took a picture with? I kid you not, he's my best friend.' " After getting in touch, Sarah and the man exchanged contact information and they've been chatting ever since. "We do have plans to meet up, but for now ... people will just have to be patient and stay tuned," she adds. "I hope people got a good laugh out of it — and maybe even a little reminder to let moms be their hilarious, bold selves," she adds. "Instead of thinking, 'Mom, stop embarrassing me,' maybe just let her do her thing ... you never know what kind of unexpected adventure might come from it!" Read the original article on People
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Education Department Rescinds $37.7 Million Biden-Era Fine Against Christian University
The U.S. Department of Education has rescinded a record-setting $37.7 million fine against Grand Canyon University (GCU), closing a years-long legal battle over the school's nonprofit status. The Phoenix-based university, one of the nation's largest Christian institutions of higher learning, celebrated the outcome in a GCU was founded in 1949 as a nonprofit, but converted to for-profit status in 2004 while on the brink of bankruptcy. The institution flourished financially during its for-profit years, especially through an expansion of online degree programs. In the face of increased regulatory scrutiny under the Obama administration, GCU restructured to return to its nonprofit roots. While both the state of Arizona and the IRS approved the change, the U.S. Education Department in 2019 denied GCU's petition to become a nonprofit, arguing that the university's financial structure continued to benefit its former for-profit owner, and barred GCU from marketing itself as a nonprofit. In October 2023, GCU filed a lawsuit challenging the Education Department's decision not to recognize its nonprofit status, The university also became the subject of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Related Stories 5/15/2025 5/20/2025 The dismissal came after GCU scored two victories in federal courts. In November 2024, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously In March 2025, the U.S. District Court in Arizona 'The facts clearly support our contention that we were wrongly accused of misleading our Doctoral students and we appreciate the recognition that those accusations were without merit,' Brian Mueller, the university's president, said in a press release. When Grand Canyon University announced its intention to appeal the $37.7 million fine, Mueller The American Principles Project, a conservative think tank, released a These institutions, according to the report, have received the 'largest fines' and faced 'some of the most aggressive legal harassment' from the Education Department's Office of Enforcement, a unit created in 2017, disbanded during the first Trump administration, and later revived under President Joe Biden. The report cited GCU's now-rescinded fine, as well as the unprecedented The amount far exceeded previous high-profile penalties under the same law, including a $2.4 million fine levied against Pennsylvania State University in 2016 for its handling of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal and the In response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for the Education Department contrasted the agency's approach under Biden and President Donald Trump. 'Unlike the previous administration, we will not persecute and prosecute colleges and universities based on their religious affiliation,' a spokesperson told The Epoch Times. 'The Trump administration will continue to ensure every institution of higher education is held accountable based on facts, but department enforcement will be for the purpose of serving students, not political bias.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Education Department walks back $37.7M fine against Grand Canyon University
This story was originally published on Higher Ed Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Higher Ed Dive newsletter. The U.S. Department of Education walked back a $37.7 million fine levied against Grand Canyon University under the Biden administration, the large Christian institution announced Friday. When the Education Department announced the fine in October 2023, it accused the university of misleading thousands of current and former students about the costs of its doctoral programs. Grand Canyon University quickly appealed the decision. The agency's Office of Hearings and Appeals has now ruled in Grand Canyon University's favor, dismissing the case 'with no findings, fines, liabilities or penalties of any kind,' according to the institution. The office dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be reconsidered. When Grand Canyon University announced its intention to appeal the $37.7 million fine, it cast the financial penalty as government overreach and the Biden administration as targeting it for being a Christian institution. Grand Canyon University also said at the time that the Higher Learning Commission, its accreditor, deemed its disclosures 'robust and thorough' in a 2021 review — a point it reiterated last week. 'The facts clearly support our contention that we were wrongly accused of misleading our Doctoral students and we appreciate the recognition that those accusations were without merit,' Brian Mueller, the university's president, said in a Friday statement. The Education Department confirmed the news Monday. 'Unlike the previous Administration, we will not persecute and prosecute colleges and universities based on their religious affiliation,' Ellen Keast, a department spokesperson, said in a statement. The university has notched other victories amid the handful of legal challenges it has faced in recent years. Just a few months after the Education Department fined Grand Canyon University in 2023, the Federal Trade Commission sued the institution over similar allegations regarding its doctoral programs. The lawsuit accused the university of telling applicants that they would only have to pay the equivalent of 20 courses to finish accelerated doctoral programs, even though almost all required more. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit's claims against the university in March. However, the FTC's case is still ongoing against Grand Canyon Education, a for-profit company that provides marketing and enrollment services to the institution. Grand Canyon University was a part of GCE until 2018. When it split off from the company, the university entered a 15-year contract for educational services in exchange for about 60% of its tuition and fee revenue. Mueller also serves as the CEO of GCE. Last September, the FTC filed an amended complaint alleging that GCE has falsely advertised Grand Canyon University as a nonprofit institution, made 'abusive telemarketing calls,' and misled students about how long it would take to complete the university's doctoral programs. Although the IRS considers Grand Canyon University a nonprofit, whether the Education Department does as well was the subject of a long-running legal battle. In 2019, the Education Department denied Grand Canyon University's request to be considered a nonprofit for federal financial aid purposes. But a federal court ruled late last year that the agency applied the wrong legal standard when making that determination and ordered it to reconsider the university's request under the correct statute. Grand Canyon University said Friday it hopes that process will be completed soon. In Friday's announcement, Grand Canyon University described the ongoing allegations against GCE as 'the same manufactured nonprofit and doctoral disclosure claims that have been refuted, rejected and dismissed.' Late last year, Mueller predicted during one of GCE's earnings calls that the company would face a friendlier regulatory environment under the Trump administration. In Friday's announcement, Grand Canyon University also pointed to a 2023 appeals court ruling that in part dismissed allegations from a former student, Donrich Young, who had argued in a class-action lawsuit that the institution breached its contract by making it impossible to finish doctoral programs in 60 credits as promised. In its ruling, the appeals court wrote that the university did not make such a promise and that enrollment documents said 60 credits was the minimum needed to complete a doctoral program. Young further argued that the university breached its contract by not providing the faculty support he was promised to complete his dissertation. A three-judge panel overturned a lower court's decision to dismiss that claim and sent the case back to it for further proceedings. The student and the university agreed to end the lawsuit in late 2023. GCE faces another major lawsuit alleging the company has engaged in a racketeering scheme by misleading students about the cost of the university's doctoral programs. Earlier this month, a federal judge rejected GCE's motion to dismiss the case. Recommended Reading Grand Canyon CEO expects a friendlier Education Department under Trump Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
