Hodges University

Last updated

Hodges University
Hodges University logo.svg
Logo from 2007 to 2019
MottoStay Near. Go Far.
Type Private university
Established1990;33 years ago (1990)
President Charlene Wendel
Provost Diana Schultz
Academic staff
101 total: 17 full-time, 84 adjunct faculty (2021)
Students410
Undergraduates 340
Postgraduates 70
Address
4501 Colonial Blvd
,
Fort Myers
,
Florida
,
U.S.

26°16′33.1″N81°44′18.3″W / 26.275861°N 81.738417°W / 26.275861; -81.738417
Campus10 acres (0.04 km²)
Colours Navy Blue and Coral Red
MascotHawk
Website hodges.edu

Hodges University is a private university in Fort Myers, Florida. Founded in 1990 in Naples as International College, it was renamed Hodges University in 2007 in recognition of a $12 million donation from local residents Earl and Thelma Hodges. [1] In August 2023, citing declining enrollment and ensuing financial challenges, Hodges University announced plans to close permanently by the end of August 2024. [2]

Contents

History

Hodges University was founded in Naples, Florida, in 1990 as International College with 85 students. It focused on providing education and training opportunities for adult learners. It began offering online degree programs in 1995. [2] International College achieved regional accreditation in 1998 and received the authority to offer master's degree programs in 1999. [3] In 2000, International College moved out of its original location, a rented storefront in East Naples, and constructed a new campus at 2655 Northbrooke Drive in Naples. [4] The college was renamed Hodges University on June 1, 2007, in recognition of a $12 million donation from Earl and Thelma Hodges, founders and owners of Hodges Funeral Home in Naples since 1964. [1] [5] [6]

Long-time Hodges faculty member Charlene Wendel became the university's president on July 6, 2023, after the board of trustees dismissed former president John Meyer. [2] Meyer, a former Florida Southwestern State College dean, had been appointed president on December 15, 2017. Past presidents were Donald Wortham, former vice president for strategic initiatives at the College of St. Scholastica, appointed in February 2016; David Borofsky, former president of Dakota State University, appointed in December 2014; Jeannette Brock, a long-time Hodges academic administrator appointed in July 2013; and Terry McMahan (1990–2013). [7]

Since 1990, Hodges University has conferred more than 14,000 degrees. [8] Enrollment declined from 2,800 students in 2013 to only 410 students in 2023, leading to serious operating deficits. The Naples campus closed in September 2021, with classes and operations consolidated to the Fort Myers campus. [1]

In December 2022, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges placed Hodges University on probation, "the most serious public sanction imposed by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees short of loss of accreditation." Hodges was continued in accreditation during probation. [9] [10]

In August 2023, citing low enrollment and ensuing financial challenges as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian, Hodges University announced plans to close permanently by the end of August 2024. Hodges ceased accepting new degree-seeking students ahead of the fall 2023 semester. The majority of classes and degree offerings will cease at the end of April 2024. Hodges is working to develop teach-out partnerships and identify a permanent custodian for the university's academic records. [2] [10]

Academics

As of May 2023, Hodges offers 11 associate degree programs, 14 bachelor's degree programs, 6 master's degree programs, and several certificate programs. [11] The university also facilitates a comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program. [12]

In addition to in-person classes in Fort Myers, Hodges offers many courses online and in an accelerated 4-week format. [13] As of Fall 2021, 41% of undergraduate students and 92% of graduate students are enrolled only in distance education courses. [14]

Hodges University also operates the Frances Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning, the Dr. Peter Thomas Veterans Services Center and Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency. [15]

The university is organized into five colleges with 17 full-time and 84 part-time faculty: [14]

Accreditation

Hodges University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. [16] In December 2022, the accreditation agency placed Hodges University on probation, "the most serious public sanction imposed by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees short of loss of accreditation." The university remains accredited during the one-year probation period. [9]

Eight degree programs within the Johnson School of Business are accredited through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. The Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling degree program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The Associate in Science in physical therapist assistant (PTA) is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Library

The Terry P. McMahan Library serves the Hodges University community. The library participated in the Federal Depository Library Program beginning in 2003 as one of two federal depository libraries in Southwest Florida. [17] As of 2023, Hodges University was no longer listed in the FDLD directory. [18]

Rankings

Hodges was ranked #103-135 in Regional Universities South, and #133 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, by U.S. News & World Report in 2023. [19]

Hodges is federally recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution, [20] with 34% Hispanic student enrollment as of fall 2021. [14]

Students

Related Research Articles

College of St. Joseph was a Private Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Rutland County, Vermont. It occupies a 117 acres (0.47 km2) wooded campus. Although the college was accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, it was placed on probation in August 2018 because of the college's financial challenges. It closed at the end of the spring 2019 semester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethune–Cookman University</span> Private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.

Bethune–Cookman University is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune–Cookman University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The primary administration building, White Hall, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Home are two historic locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina State University</span> Historically black university in Orangeburg, South Carolina, US

South Carolina State University is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It is the only public, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina, is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Tennessee at Martin</span> Public university in Martin, Tennessee, U.S.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is a public university in Martin, Tennessee. It is one of the five campuses of the University of Tennessee system. UTM is the only public university in West Tennessee outside of Memphis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erskine College</span> Liberal arts college in Due West, South Carolina

Erskine College is a private Christian college in Due West, South Carolina. It is an undergraduate liberal arts college and a graduate theological seminary. The college was founded in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Its sports teams compete in NCAA Division II as a member of Conference Carolinas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnson University Florida</span>

Johnson University Florida is a private Christian university in Kissimmee, Florida. It is part of the Johnson University system with its main campus outside Knoxville Tennessee and an online campus. It is affiliated with the Independent Christian Church of the Restoration Movement. The campus will be closing in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Gulf Coast University</span> Public university in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a public university in Lee County, Florida near Fort Myers. It is part of the State University System of Florida and is its second youngest member. The university was established on May 3, 1991, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It offers 58 bachelor's degree programs, 25 master's degree programs, 6 doctoral degree programs, and 12 graduate certificates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida SouthWestern State College</span> Public college in Southwest Florida, United States

Florida SouthWestern State College is a public college with its main campus in Fort Myers, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System. The college has satellite campuses in Charlotte County and Collier County, and outreach programs in Hendry County and Glades County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nova Southeastern University</span> Private university in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida, U.S.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private research university with its main campus in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida, United States, in the Miami metropolitan area. The university consists of 14 total colleges, offering over 150 programs of study. The university offers professional degrees in the social sciences, law, business, osteopathic medicine (DO), allopathic medicine (MD), health sciences, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, education, occupational therapy, and nursing. As of 2019, 20,576 students were enrolled at Nova Southeastern University, with more than 210,000 alumni. With a main campus located on 314 acres in Davie, Florida, NSU operates additional campuses in Dania Beach, North Miami Beach, Tampa Bay-Clearwater and campuses throughout the state of Florida. There are also campuses in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Denver, Colorado.

Baptist Bible College (BBC) is a private Baptist bible college in Springfield, Missouri. Founded in 1950, BBC focuses on training Christian professionals and ministers. It offers accredited associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern University at New Orleans</span> Public HBCU in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Southern University at New Orleans is a public historically black university in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a member of the Southern University System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ave Maria University</span> Catholic university in Southwest Florida

Ave Maria University (AMU) is a private Roman Catholic university in Ave Maria, Florida. It shares its history with the former Ave Maria College in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which was founded in 1998 and moved its campus in 2007. The two schools were founded by philanthropist and entrepreneur, Tom Monaghan. In 2021, the enrollment was 1,245 students. In 2016 its student body was 80% Catholic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Andrews University (North Carolina)</span> Private Presbyterian college in Laurinburg, North Carolina, U.S.

St. Andrews University is a private Presbyterian university in Laurinburg, North Carolina. It was established in 1958 as a result of a merger of Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs and Presbyterian Junior College; it was named St. Andrews Presbyterian College from 1960 until 2011 when the college changed its name to St. Andrews University. That same year, it merged with Webber International University of Babson Park, Florida. It is also home to the St. Andrews Press. In 2013, St. Andrews added its first graduate program, an MBA in business administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hannibal–LaGrange University</span> Private Christian university in Hannibal, Missouri, US

Hannibal–LaGrange University (HLGU), formerly Hannibal–LaGrange College, is a private Christian university in Hannibal, Missouri. It is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. It enrolls 494 (2022) students and offers 29 majors. Although the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it is currently on probation for issues related to its finances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South University</span>

South University is a private university with its main campus and online operations in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1899, South University consists of its School of Pharmacy, College of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Professions, College of Business, College of Theology, and College of Arts and Sciences. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The FAU College of Education is located in Boca Raton, Florida and is one of the ten academic colleges of Florida Atlantic University It offers education degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College of Education is one of the original colleges that opened when Florida Atlantic University first began offering courses in 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ECPI University</span>

ECPI University, or East Coast Polytechnic Institute, is a private for-profit university based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It provides undergraduate- and graduate-level education in an accelerated format. ECPI University has six colleges with thirteen campus locations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and online. Campuses are located in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Manassas, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Lake Mary, and San Antonio. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Everglades University, formerly known as the American Flyers College, is a private university with its main campus in Boca Raton, Florida, and several other campuses throughout the state. Everglades offers bachelor's and master's degree programs, both via online and on-campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Texas Rio Grande Valley</span> Public university in Texas, U.S.A.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university with multiple campus throughout the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas and is the southernmost member of the University of Texas System. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 after the consolidation of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas–Pan American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AdventHealth University</span>

AdventHealth University (AHU) is a Seventh-day Adventist institution specializing in healthcare education that is located in Orlando, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and online. It is associated with AdventHealth, which is operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system. The physical facilities are located next to AdventHealth Orlando and Centura Health in Denver. The university offers over 20 undergraduate and graduate degrees from associate to doctorate level, including online and post-baccalaureate certificates.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Aten, Tim (September 5, 2021). "Mason academy acquires building at Hodges University's Naples campus". Naples Florida Weekly. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Freeman, Liz (August 26, 2023). "Hodges University shutting down by August 2024; no degree seeking enrollment this fall". Naples Daily News . Archived from the original on August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Hodges University Fact Book 2010-2011" (PDF). Hodges University. 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Hodges University - what a difference 20 years makes". Naples Daily News. February 3, 2010. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Longtime Naples resident, philanthropist Earl Hodges dead at 86". Naples Daily News . October 19, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ "International College Receives $12 Million Gift, Changes Name". Philanthropy News. May 26, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ Bland, Thyrie (January 19, 2018). "Hodges University graduate named school's fourth president since 2013". The News-Press. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ 2015-2016 Fact Book.
  9. 1 2 "Disclosure Statement Regarding the Status of Hodges University" (PDF). Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges . December 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Lederman, Doug (August 25, 2023). "Another Small College, Hodges University, Will Close". Inside Higher Ed . Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Training You Want - Certificate Programs | Hodges University". www.hodges.edu. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Teaching English Classes Online | Fort Myers, FL". www.Hodges.edu.
  13. ↑ "Search Our Degrees and Programs » Hodges U". www.hodges.edu. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "College Navigator: Hodges University". National Center for Education Statistics . Fall 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Center & Institutes".
  16. ↑ "About Hodges".
  17. ↑ "Terry P. McMahan Library".
  18. ↑ "FDLD Directory". U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  19. ↑ "U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings Hodges University". U.S. News & World Report . September 12, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)". National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture . Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.