Nova's Proud Achievement

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Gus Sainz, Jul 21, 2002.

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  1. Gus Sainz

    Gus Sainz New Member

    Editorial in today’s Miami Herald lauds Nova Southeastern University. See Nova’s Proud Achievement (link probably won't work for long).

    ”The university, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, is the nation's top producer of African-American doctorates, according to the June issue of Black Issues in Higher Education.”

    ”Nova also tops the list in the number of Hispanics it graduates with their first professional degree.”

    ”Nova was tied with Walden University (Minnesota) for top honors in African-American doctorates in business.”
     
  2. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Why should we measure quality of education based on the ethnical background of the graduates?
     
  3. Tom

    Tom New Member

    The article is not measuring NSU's quality of education at all. The article does provide an indication in how Nova is a leader in granting minorities with more terminal degrees then any other school in the nation. “Nova awarded Ph.D.s to 65 African Americans, more than any other school in the country “

    It also compares other schools that are doing the same, but are not as successful as Nova, “By comparison, the University of Miami awarded Ph.D.s to 15 African Americans, predominantly black Florida A&M University awarded 12, and Florida International University granted eight doctorate degrees to African Americans in the same period.”

    I think this is one heck of an achievement for not only Nova, but for the D.L. industry.
     
  4. sulla

    sulla New Member



    I mean, why can't we see everyone as equal without seeing them as a color, ethnic group, number, statistic, etc? I'm tired of this race obsessed environment. I don't see these graduates as African Americans, I see these 65 doctoral graduates as people like you and me. And they should not be used as a trophy to hype a school.

    again, my thoughts.
    -S
     
  5. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I totally agree with you. In my opinion, this is a cheap marketing strategy to attract minorities to Nova
     
  6. Homer

    Homer New Member

    Yes, I would have to agree and have mixed emotions about this. On one hand, it's a great acheivement while, on the other, if, in fact, this whole thing is just a pretext for hyping a school, it's almost morally reprehensible.

    But it certainly **is** good to see an institution take affirmative steps to achieve some semblance of equality. Until there's evidence to the contrary, I'll have to assume it's an honest effort to do so with no hidden agenda.
     
  7. Dennis Ruhl

    Dennis Ruhl member

    65 doctorates to African Americans is excellent. This begs the question - How many doctorates are thay handing out in one year? 100 - 500 - 1000?

    I have a feeling that Nova, the Union Institute and other distance only schools are in the doctor business.

    What is the ratio of doctoral graduates to doctoral academic staff compared to traditional universities? This number may reveal a lot.
     
  8. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    The numbers are from 'Black Issues in Higher Education'. They publish this information every year. They also have a sister publication, 'Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education', that publishes similar figures.

    The California State University posts the numbers from these magazines for their campuses every year on the CSU systemwide website's PR section.

    The 7-3-01 'Black Issues' named CSU Los Angeles as #1 in the nation in awarding education degrees to minorities. The same issue had CSUDH #38 in awarding bachelors degrees (all subjects) to Afr.-Americans.

    The 5-23-01 'Hispanic Outlook' had CSUDH #28 in awarding bachelors degrees to Hispanics, and #27 in awarding Hispanics masters degrees.
     
  9. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I think you are right that they are in the doctor business. That certainly does not mean that they are producing anything less quality oriented than anyone else. When you visit the PHinisheD site and realize the circumstances many traditonal doctoral students suffer at the hands of *regular* universities (much of the antics have little to do with producing scholars and more with power issues) you realize why DL institutions arose that could be in the doctor business. Possible in a sense they are *doctorate light*..........all the academic challenge......less abuse. Also explains some of the problems DL doctorates face in that people have have made the gauntlet of the normal PhD progression may feel everyone needs to suffer the way they did.

    North
     
  10. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I disagree, I don't think it's any sort of achievement at all for DL or for Nova.

    OTOH, it's one hell of an achievement for all of the NSU doctoral grads last year, including the 65 who happened to be black.


    Bruce
     
  11. Tom

    Tom New Member

    Bruce,

    It all depends how you look at it. This is all subjective.
     
  12. 9Chris

    9Chris New Member

    I think the fact is not so much as NOVA awarding the degrees, but the fact that 65 African Americans were able to achieve this goal.

    Statistics show that although the number of minorities pursuing a higher education has increased, the number continuing after a 4 year degree is not very impressive.

    Hooray to the 65 who were able to do it.
     

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