Organization: Ambassador College Bookstores
Hometown: Westbury, N.Y.
Alma Mater: Albany University
Major: Bachelor of Science in Economics
Locations: Headquarters in Farmingdale, N.Y. and marketing offices in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York.
Company History:
Ambassador College Bookstores (Ambassador) was founded in 1973. Now celebrating our 34th anniversary, we have maintained continual management since our inception. We are a privately held corporation headquartered in the heart of the bookselling industry. We are a premier provider to the career college sector, dispensing cutting-edge technology, customized interfaces and unsurpassed service to students, faculty and administrators.
How did you get started in the career college sector?
My father and I founded the company in 1973. My father retired in 1986. Steven M. Blicht became an equity partner of Ambassador in 1998 and is our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
In the early years, Ambassador provided library book fulfillment services to colleges and universities. While we have been working with career schools since our company’s inception, our work with this sector began to expand exponentially in the early to mid-1990s.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about our firm and our industry are the partnerships we enjoy with both our client schools and publishers. Together we are committed to providing an outstanding service to students who ultimately rely on Ambassador for seamless and timely delivery of textbooks and customized kits required to achieve their career goals and objectives.
What has your work taught you about life in general?
The underlying lesson I have learned from my work is that if you maintain the right values, treat people fairly, and work smart and hard, good things will happen.
What motivates you most in your job?
What motivates me most is my desire to maintain Ambassador’s leadership position in this sector and our commitment to excellence.
Please describe your philosophy in working with schools.
The overriding philosophy of our company is to listen to the needs of our clients. If Ambassador is to continue to provide comprehensive bookstore solutions, it is paramount that we listen and understand the issues and concerns of our clients and design and customize services and products to respond to those needs.
What is your perception on marketing?
We know that if we are passionate about our company’s products and services, our prospective client will be, as well. While it is always critical to state our value proposition and illustrate why a school will benefit from outsourcing its bookstore requirement to Ambassador, the excitement and enthusiasm of all of our executives and marketing, project and account managers permeate virtually every discussion and interaction.
Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you.
I enjoy animated discussions about business, politics and sports; am a huge Yankees fan; an avid golfer; have been married nearly 31 years to a beautiful actuary and mathematician; have two fabulous children, one an attorney and the other an accountant; and have a Shih Tzu named Cody.
What is your company’s reputation in the community?
Since our inception over 34 years ago, service has been and always will be the hallmark of our success. Because of our commitment to service, we maintain an outstanding reputation for providing a truly responsive, customer-driven service to our clients.
Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why.
There are too many people I admire and respect in this industry to single out just one.
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success is providing accurate and timely delivery of 100% of each student’s requirements 100% of the time, as we do hundreds of thousands of times each year.
Name: Elise Scanlon
Organization: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
Number of members: 800
Hometown: Gaithersburg, Maryland
College: Dickinson College, BA; Georgetown University Law Center, JD
Major: History
Association history: Formerly the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools Accrediting Commission, ACCSCT will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year as an accrediting organization.
Office location: Arlington, Virginia
How did you get started in the school business?
I started my career as a high school history teacher and became interested in accreditation after a visit to my school by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. I later worked in accreditation and government relations for the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). After a brief hiatus and finishing my law degree, I came to ACCSCT.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I believe sincerely that accreditation makes a difference in improving the quality of education in our sector. I enjoy working with our institutions to facilitate the sharing of best practices and improvements that come about through self-assessment and planning.
What do you like least about your job?
Frustration over a lack of progressive thinking in traditional sectors of higher education and … delivering bad news.
What has your work taught you about life in general?
Leadership matters.
What motivates you most in your job?
The 250,000 students who count on ACCSCT accreditation to mean quality.
Please describe your values and philosophy in operating your organization.
ACCSCT has a values-based culture. A number of years ago, the Commission, staff and volunteers undertook a values study and prioritized 5 values: integrity, teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement and open communication that guide our daily work and strategic initiatives. Our goal is to strive for and maintain alignment between our personal and organizational values.
Tell us something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you.
I love football.
What is your organization’s reputation in the sector?
I would hope that there is stature and credibility associated with being accredited by ACCSCT and that the commission has a reputation for rigor and fairness.
Name another professional in this sector whom you admire and explain why.
All of the professionals who serve as volunteers: commissioners, on-site evaluation team members, ad-hoc and interim committee members. The enterprise of accreditation would come to a grinding halt without them.
What is your definition of success?
“Constancy of purpose.” (Benjamin Disraeli)
Name: Renee Herzing
Title: Executive VP
School: Herzing College
Number of Students: 4,500
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
College: BA from Brown University; MBA from the University of Phoenix.
School History: Herzing College was founded by my father, Henry Herzing, in 1965, so we have been providing career education for 42 years.
Accredited by: HCL-North Central Association (regional accreditation)
Campus Location: We have 7 physical campuses in the U.S. (Midwest and Southeast), 4 campuses in Canada, and an online division based in Milwaukee.
School Curricula: Bachelor, Associate and diploma programs in business, healthcare, technology, design and public safety.
Number of Class Starts Per Year: 6 on-ground; 12 online
Q. How did you get started in the school business?
As our college system is family owned, my true start in the business was literally compiling direct mail packets as a kid. After going to college, I wanted to “do my own thing” and that ended up teaching and then, more specifically, teaching adults. I decided to move into the business side of education, and then it just made sense to get involved in our career college system.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love working to make people’s dreams come true, and in the end that is what education is about. The best part is working with a group of people who all share that same passion. It is a wonderful high to hear how passionate staff and faculty are about students’ success and how rewarding they find it. It’s like a cult in a good way.
Q. What do you like least about your job?
My least favorite aspects are paperwork and how litigious our society is becoming. I figure administrative help can help with the former, but the latter is not so easy to fix. I prefer the “old school” of good relationships and working together to solve conflicts rather than the rush to get lawyers involved, which can often result in a lose-lose situation.
Q. What has your work taught you about life in general?
It has taught me that attitude is paramount and that anyone can be successful if they try hard enough. I have seen students come from disadvantaged backgrounds with financial challenges and lack of family support, and I have seen them hold down full-time jobs, take care of their kids, and go to school full-time. They don’t complain about their situations, are often the most successful in school, and just keep focused on what they want to achieve. I find that incredibly motivating.
Q. What motivates you most in your job?
Students like the ones I described above – they deserve the very best of my efforts every day.
Q. Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools.
My values are the same as my father’s: students come first for everyone in the company, and you have to take good care of all your staff and faculty who serve them. You need to provide a great value proposition, so your programs must be of high quality and prepare students for well-paying jobs, and your staff and faculty need to be supporting them every step of the way.
Q. What is your perception on marketing?
We often say lately, “it’s the Wild West out there.” The Internet has opened up a lot of opportunities for communication but also for a lot of questionable practices. Marketing success on a large scale requires a lot of sophistication and investment, as traditional media costs have skyrocketed. In any case, you need to be able to back up whatever claims you are making. We have great stories to share; it’s just challenging getting the word out. So smaller systems like us need to focus on our customers’ positive experiences and get creative.
Q. Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you.
I like to rock out. I sing in the basement and in a just-for-fun band with my guitar-playing husband.
Q. What is your school’s reputation in the community?
Our college is known for its focus on students as individuals and for its high-quality graduates. Students repeatedly tell us they chose us for the personal approach and that they value the individual attention from instructors, and employers tell us that our graduates are well-prepared for positions in their chosen fields.
Q. Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why.
My father. He has been very successful due to hard work and a tireless dedication to students and quality. He is greatly respected in our company and the industry as a whole for his integrity and vast experience. As his recent donation to the Imagine America Foundation shows, he is willing to commit to ideas he believes in. He is someone who does what he thinks is right no matter what, and I think that strength of character is rare today.
Q. What is your definition of success?
Doing something you believe will make the world a better place, and doing it with passion and excellence.
Name: Jonathan Liebman
Title: President/CEO
School: Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Inc.
Number of Students: 625
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Mich.
College: Bachelor’s degree earned at Wayne State University; Master’s at University of Miami.
Majors: Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media; Master of Music, Studio Music & Jazz
School History: In 1970, my father, known professionally as “Specs Howard” during his many years as a rock & roll DJ, bought the Lee Alan School of Broadcasting from Detroit radio legend, Lee Alan, and changed the name to Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. The School had two students, both of whom, Dad says, “stiffed” him. Programs were offered in radio broadcasting and broadcast electronics. Growth was gradual and incremental. Eventually, a television/video curriculum was added and enrollment began to accelerate as the School became more widely known and respected. In 1998, Specs relinquished his role as president, handing the reins over to me. Today, the school trains over 625 students a year in all aspects of radio and television broadcasting and audio and video production. Specs Howard has a staff of 60 employees, mostly full-time, and over 12,000 graduates working worldwide.
Accredited by: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
Campus Location: Southfield, Michigan
School Curricula: Radio & Television Broadcasting
Number of Class Starts Per Year: 15 (plus our Continuing Education courses)
Q. How did you get started in the school business?
My Dad opened up the school on my 10th birthday. I grew up in this place!
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Hearing our grads on practically every radio station in Michigan and knowing the impact they’ve made in the broadcasting industry throughout the U.S. and abroad. We also have alumni who’ve worked on TV shows, including Lost and The West Wing and on movies, including Blade and Bruce Almighty. I especially enjoy seeing our grads work on those fabulous commercials during the Super Bowl!
Q. What do you like least about your job?
When things don’t go as fast as I wished they would.
Q. What has your work taught you about life in general?
Being in management and leadership positions teaches you so much about yourself and about relationships with other people. You can’t help but grow wiser (albeit with plenty of battle scars). I’ve also learned an awful lot about business and corporate governance from being a director on numerous boards and committees in and out of the industry.
Q. What motivates you most in your job?
With an outstanding management team in place, I’m able to focus on long-term strategic planning, the high-level stuff.
Q. Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools.
Provide a solid, practical, real-world education with marketable employment skills; always do what you say you’ll do, but try to do more; hire the best people you can get and treat everyone exceptionally well – students, staff, visitors, guests, vendors, etc.; keep everything 100% above-board and squeaky clean!
Q. What is your perception on marketing?
Hire hip, young people who “get it” and know how to reach your target demographic!
Q. Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you.
I’m a crossword fanatic!
Q. What is your school’s reputation in the community?
We have an outstanding reputation in the community. Most people remember hearing our ads while growing up.
Q. Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why.
Art Keiser and Al Sullivan are two names that come to mind, simply because they’ve had success doing what I strive to do. They’ve both been very helpful to me over the years.
Q. What is your definition of success?
When you’ve achieved what you set out to do and that you’re happy. The best indication of happiness is when you find yourself really looking forward to coming in to work in the morning, and then really looking forward to going home at night!
Name: Russell “Wicker” Freeman
Title: President/Owner
School: Coyne American Institute
Number of Students: 650 at two Chicago, IL locations
Hometown: Elmhurst, IL
College: Northwestern University J.L. Kellogg School of Management, Master of Management 1990, Indiana University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1985.
Major: Finance/Marketing
School History: Coyne American Institute, Chicago, IL is a 108 year old career college originally started in Boston, MA in 1898.
Accredited by: ACCSCT
Campus Location: Main School started in 1899; branch campus opened in 2004
School Curricula: Electrical Maintenance; Electronic Systems Technician; Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration; Medical Administrative Assistant; Medical Assistant; Medical Billing and Coding Specialist.
Number of Class Starts per year: 8
Q. How did you get started in the school business?
My father bought into Coyne American Institute in the early 1970s and took over complete ownership in 1976. I worked at the school during my high school and college summers and joined the staff full time in 1985 after graduating from college. I started off enrolling all government sponsored admissions students from the City of Chicago and the neighboring counties.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy seeing our students graduate from our programs and enter career employment positions.
Q. What do you like least about your job?
I think I spend too much time administratively dealing with all the regulations. It would be nice to spend more time on educational matters.
Q. What has your work taught you about life in general?
My job has taught me to take advantage of opportunities, work hard, make key contacts, and push yourself to set and attain your company’s goals.
Q. What motivates you most in your job?
I am motivated by the desire to grow Coyne American Institute and start more locations in the future. I still like seeing the face of a successful graduate being recognized at graduation ceremonies.
Q. Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools.
I think it is important to operate highly ethical colleges/schools that offer a quality education at a reasonable price.
Q. What is your perception on marketing?
Marketing is constantly changing as new methods of marketing are introduced that must be used. One example is the growth of internet advertising.
Q. Tell something about yourself that people might not just by looking at you.
I am an intensely competitive person who hates to lose.
Q. What is your school’s reputation in the community?
Coyne American Institute has a very good reputation in the community as a quality career college.
Q. Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why?
I admire Rene Champagne of ITT Technical Institutes. With all of the success that Rene has accomplished with ITT Technical Institute, he always has time to give excellent advice to others in the industry. I can think of many times when I have asked him for advice on a business matter. Rene has always answered my questions. He has set a great example for the rest of us in this industry.
Q. What is your definition of success?
As a second generation school owner, my definition of success is to expand Coyne American Institute to more locations in the Chicago area and other states.
Name: Brian Stewart
Title: President/CEO
School: Bryan College
Number of Students: 300+
Hometown: Springfield, MO
College: Friends University, Oakland City University
Major: B.S. Human Resource Management, M.S. Management
School History: Established in 1982 to meet the needs of the Travel and Tourism industry. The College continued to grow and evolve into a progressive educational institution that focused on local employer and community needs. This focus guided us into Business, IT and Allied Health fields.
Accredited by: ACICS
Campus Location (year opened): Springfield, Missouri (1988); Topeka, Kansas (1982)
School Curricula: Computer Networking, Computer Programming, Business
Administration, Travel and Tourism, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, Personal Trainer
Number of Class Starts per Year: 10
Q: How did you get started in the school business?
I was a college student at the local university and enrolled in Bryan College. After graduating, I began in admissions and developed a recruitment system for the college. Gradually, I moved up through the organization and now have been afforded the opportunity to own the company.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Coaching and mentoring students, faculty and staff while watching them grow and unleash potential that they never knew they had.
Q: What do you like least about your job?
With our sector of education so tightly regulated, it is easy to begin worrying about regulations and lose focus on truly what is important in our business – helping students change their lives. When I find this happening to me, I leave my office and spend time visiting with students to regain the students’ perspective of attending college.
Q: What has your work taught you about life in general?
Life is too short to spend it working in a job you do not like. If you truly love your career, there is very little separation between your personal and professional life. One way of putting it is, “You do who you are.” There will not be any doubt when you find your true passion and life’s work.
Q: What motivates you most in your job?
Seeing a vision become reality.
Q: Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools.
Honesty and integrity. In any business, you are faced with opportunities every day. How you handle the challenges will determine the culture of your organization. I believe the team you build is your most important asset. Without their unique personalities and abilities, the college would lose its character. We go above and beyond our students’ expectations to deliver “fanatical customer service.” Fortunately, our students feel they are a part of the college. This connection creates comfort to them and allows them to focus on their educational objectives. I personally explain to each new student that our goal is to enroll positive students. I also explain to them that their assignment from me is they must replace themselves with another positive student prior to completing their program of study. What’s exciting is that they accomplish that assignment. We have entire families (father, mother, son, daughter) enrolled in our college because we deliver a level of consistency they have not been able to find anywhere else and they know we care.
Q: What is your perception on marketing?
Finding unique, cost-effective methods to get your product or services in front of your customer. Then, creating such a vivid impression that the customer will take the time and make the effort to seek out the organization.
Q: Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you.
In the office, I am rather conservative and daily attire is suit and tie. Outside of the office, I like to cook. I have a 7′x7′ smoker on a 16′ trailer and love to smoke any kinds of meat. It is very relaxing to me, and the food’s not too bad either!
Q: What is your school’s reputation in the community?
I believe both campuses are well respected. Each has been in its respective community for several years and is well established. We are involved with various charitable organizations and work to make a difference in the quality of life of the people around us.
Q: Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why.
I am not sure I can name just one! There are quite a few that have motivated me to continue to grow in the education business. Bill Coward-Cambria-Rowe Business College, Johnstown, PA, Gary Carlson – Senior Vice President of Education, ITT Educational Services, and Ed Colon - Director, ITT Technical Institute, Kansas City, Missouri. These great guys have been sounding boards when I needed someone to talk to. They have always provided encouragement and a positive perspective on life.
Q: What is your definition of success?
Setting a goal and then inventing a path to get there. Each person is responsible for the choices they make in life. Knowing this, life is exactly what you make of it.
Name: Kevin Quinn
Title: Corp. Director of Marketing /Admissions
School: Computer Learning Network (CLN)/Edutech Centers
Number of Students: 1600
Hometown: Langhorne, PA
College: Trenton State College
Major: Communications/Business
School History: Founded in 1982 and 1996
Accredited by: ACCSCT, Council on Occupational Education
Campus Locations & Year in Which They Opened: CLN schools are located in Mechanicsburg and Altoona, PA; they opened in 1982. Edutech Centers are located in Clearwater (1996) and Brandon, FL (2003).
School Curricula: Computers, Medical, Massage Therapy, Pharmacy Technician, Paralegal, Legal Assistant and Criminal Justice.
Number of Class Starts per Year: There are about 35 class starts a year.
Q: How did you get started in the school business?
I started as an Admissions Representative with Lincoln Tech – Philadelphia in 1976.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Creating leads and managing them into starts.
Q: What do you like least about your job?
Dealing every now and then with people who don’t understand or appreciate how critical Sales and Marketing is to an operation.
Q: What has your work taught you about life in general?
Expect the unexpected, and deal with the highs and lows without getting too complacent or upset.
Q: What motivates you most in your job?
Being successful.
Q: Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools.
I feel that I play a pretty big role in striking nerves that motivate people to improve themselves through career training. I help people turn around their situations, generally for the better.
Q: What is your perception on marketing?
In regards to the school business, we are in a very competitive direct-response arena. You have to create new leads all of the time and be continually on top of strategies that are going to keep lead flow momentum sustained.
Q: Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you.
I’m a basketball nut and have been playing one to two times per week in leagues for about 20 years. I’m also a big fan of ’60s and ’70s soul, R&B and funk music.
Q: What is your school’s reputation in the community?
The schools are respected, well-known and looked upon favorably.
Q: Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why.
The president of our company, Gabe Royer. Not just because I work for him, but also because he is a very smart person who really knows all aspects of the school business and understands the sales and marketing process.
Q: What is your definition of success?
Having a job you can feel good about and excel in, the feeling that you are respected by your peers and employees, providing well for your family, and having outside interests to keep you involved and motivated.
Name: Michael Stiglich
Title: Regional Vice President of Admissions for the Central Region
School: Corinthian Schools, Inc. (a division of Corinthian Colleges, Inc.)
Number of Students: Approximately 6,300 students at 12 campus locations
Hometown: Wheeling , WV
College: University of Tampa
Major: Business Management
School History: Corinthian Schools, Inc. comprises the allied health division of the Corinthian Colleges, Inc. operational structure, primarily offering diploma programs in various healthcare disciplines. The Central region has been carved out of the Eastern region, including a myriad of mature schools, start-up schools and acquisitions.
Accredited by: Various accrediting bodies
Campus locations: Ohio, Louisiana, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Texas, and Minnesota
School Curriculum: Diploma allied health programs – Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Surgical Technology, Nursing Continuing Education and Pharmacy Technician.
Number Of Class Starts per Year: Approximately 800 starts per year amongst all of our schools in the Central region. Each school has a start every 5-6 weeks, and they could have multiple start dates within a month.
Q: How did you get started in the school business?
For some time, I had known a friend who had been working in the business. Through many passing conversations, I became very interested in learning more about what he did. The more I found out, the more respect I gained for the field, and I began to have a great appreciation for the short-term, skill-based training program. I knew it was something that greatly benefited the community, and I started to spend time investigating it further. During my investigation, I obtained a position as an Outside Admissions Representative for a proprietary school. Since then, I have held various positions in this industry and have been in my current position for about six years.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
I have a real feeling that what we do matters. On a daily basis, I get to be a part of helping people improve their quality of life and achieve their goals. Albeit a small part, it is rewarding to be a part of their success stories.
Q: What do you like least about your job?
Professionally, I do not have as much direct contact with the students as I had when I was an Admissions Representative or Director of Admissions. I miss the day-to-day, face-to-face interaction with students. Personally, I travel a lot, so I do not get to see my beautiful wife, Sheila, and my son, Jakob, as much as I’d like to, and this can be very tough.
Q: What has your work taught you about life in general?
My work has shown me that human beings have the ability to overcome obstacles that may seem insurmountable at times. This is a testament to the human spirit and its perseverance. To be able to witness people persevere through tough times and have the courage and will to better their lives is an inspiration.
Q: What motivates you most in your job?
Being a part of impacting a student’s quality of life for the better and knowing that it may transcend upon future generations. Being a part of their journey of getting what they want out of life creates a very positive and upbeat environment.
Q: Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools:
It is important to do everything ethically and honestly at all times, and to do what is right for the customer – and this means both the internal and external customer. In addition, delivering a quality education and marketable skills to students as well as providing employers with well-qualified and well-trained employees.
Q: What is your perception on marketing?
I believe that marketing is a very valuable piece of our business. All mediums used to get the word out about how people can benefit from your product are beneficial, but in my opinion, one of the best marketing methods is through graduates. When they are placed with a company and the positive word of mouth is spread, it creates a great image for the school. Additionally, if a person has a reference point, either from an employee at their company or a friend or family member, they will recognize the school when they hear about it. Graduates sharing their positive experiences coupled with your traditional advertising methods to create the awareness, such as radio, TV and direct mail, is an invaluable combination. One reinforces the other.
Q: Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you:
I really enjoy live theater.
What is your school’s reputation in the community?
I believe we are known as the leading provider in the allied health education industry. We want to walk away at the end of the day providing students with a good education and the medical community with quality employees. We also have an Advisory Board made up of members of the local community to offer information about workforce needs. This ensures that we are keeping up with the demands of local employers.
Q: Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why:
I really admire the front line folks in this industry. The receptionists are the first people the students talk to on the telephone and the first they see when they walk through the door. I like to call them the Directors of First Impressions. They handle so many tasks at one time and truly understand how important their job is. They are always professional, pleasant, upbeat and accommodating, and they never let any task suffer.
Q: What is your definition of success?
For me, success is a journey, not necessarily a destination. I think that the people around you will let you know when you are successful. For example, a great indicator of success to me is when people under my direction get promoted. Watching the folks you have mentored attain leadership roles and having them share knowledge down the line is a great measure of success – it proves that you have given something back to the community and made the path smoother for those around you.
Name: Gary Yasuda
Title: President
School: Trinity College, Golden State College, Academy of Professional Careers, Texas Beauty College and Nevada Career Academy
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
College: UCLA
Major: Biology & Economics double major
School History: Started in March of 1985
Q: How did you get started in the school business?
My father started Golden State College in Visalia, CA in 1985. I started working there right after college. My positions included receptionist, janitor, admissions representative and account clerk. Every day was a new experience, and I was always learning.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
After 19 years in this industry, I’m best qualified to do strategic planning. Luckily for me, it’s also what I like to do.
Q: What do you like least about your job?
Every year our industry seems to become more and more litigious.
Q: What has your work taught you about life in general?
Being too entrepreneurial or too type-A personality is not healthy. Balance is important.
Q: What motivates you most in your job?
I would say I’m motivated when our schools are hitting benchmark numbers: starts, completion rate percentages, placement rate percentages and profitability goals. When the schools are not hitting their goals, I’m even more motivated.
Q: Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools:
Staff retention is very important to our schools’ philosophy of operations. If you have an experienced staff that’s motivated, you will have an excellent chance of school success. We are always striving to come up with ways to improve our staff retention.
Q: What is your perception on marketing?
Having the right advertising agency is important. A full-service ad agency has helped us lower our cost per start significantly.
Q: Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you:
Believe it or not, I work out five to six days a week. It definitely releases stress.
Q: What is your school’s reputation in the community?
To be frank, I think our reputation in the local community is unknown. This is an area where our schools can improve. Each school is involved in at least one community activity; however, we can and should do more.
Q: Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why:
Roger Williams, Executive Director of ACCET. I’ve known Roger for over 14 years, and I really respect his constant strong message about providing a quality education and serving our students’ needs. His passionate “lectures” have helped me tremendously. Plus, he has a great sense of humor.
Q: What is your definition of success?
Have fun and be happy. I’m not always successful in this regard.
Name: Robert L. Martin
Title: Executive Director/Vice President
Foundation: Career College Foundation
Number of Students: N/A
Hometown: Saginaw , Michigan
College: Central Michigan University (B.S.) Indiana University – Bloomington, Indiana (M.P.A.)
Major: Political Science/Public Administration
Foundation History: The Career College Foundation was founded in 1982 as the research and public education affiliate of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools (NATTS), now the Career College Association. The original name was the Career Training Foundation.
Q: How did you get started in the school business?
I was hired to direct the Career College Foundation in 2000, but had been actively involved in this sector of higher education since 1982.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
I get the greatest joy from directing the Foundation in two areas: First, knowing that we are helping thousands of graduating high school seniors and adults pay for their career education through our scholarship and award programs. The phone calls, letters and e-mails from recipients are frequent and often very touching. Second, I get great joy from my job assisting in the personal and professional growth of the Foundation’s staff. We are a small but growing organization with great staff!
Q: What do you like least about your job?
I dislike most the commute from my suburban home in Virginia to downtown Washington, D.C.
Q: What has your work taught you about life in general?
This job has taught me to appreciate the educational opportunities provided by my parents, and that I have a responsibility to try and help others reach their personal and life goals.
Q: What motivates you most in your job?
Helping people and seeing what a difference our sector is making in changing people’s lives.
Q: Please describe your values and philosophy in operating schools:
I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed. I also believe that education is the key in realizing success. Career colleges are providing programs, services and opportunities to a group of students underserved by traditional higher education. Frankly, most of these students would be left behind if it were not for today’s career colleges.
Q: Tell something about yourself that people might not know just by looking at you:
I have a wonderful family that includes two great daughters, of whom I am very proud, and a supportive wife that has directed us on our “wild ride” of marriage for nearly 30 years. I simply would not be where I am or doing what I am doing without them.
Q: Name another professional in this industry whom you admire and explain why:
I am a great fan of Mr. Hank Herzing of Herzing Colleges. Hank is a class act. He totally embodies the best traits of our sector of higher education – the vision, the honesty, the commitment to student success and the need to pay back and nurture the next generation in this business. He has been in this business for more than 25 years and continues to run a very successful and growing organization and “give back” to our sector through his work with the Foundation, the Career College Association, scholarships and membership activities.
Q: What is your definition of success?
Success is leaving your office at the end of the day knowing that you have helped someone realize their goal of attending college. What a great feeling!
