It is heartbreaking that this once fine institution will be a thing of the past, or at the very best, a shell of its former self in the not to distant future.
DeVry was absolutely ruined by Keller, Taylor, Hamburger and his minions.
First point - DeVry was once a 'normal' college, with many high school graduates enrolling for degrees in Electronics Tech, Engineering Tech, Computer Tech, etc., but the focus on high school was lost in lieu of the 'adult learner'. This made DeVry look like EVERY OTHER FOR PROFIT SCHOOL and, thus, a target for politicians, DOE and critics. DeVry could have easily morphed into a decent STEM school with a niche focus - which brings me to my point #2.
Keller and Taylor got greedy and had to be the first to go public. Why? To grow, grow, grow - generate more revenue and more income. Mission accomplished. Each of them became multi millionaires - Keller is worth $200M+, Taylor $50M+. Taylor continues to draw a nice salary from Adtalem as a Senior Advisor. Gimme a break. Hamburger walked away with $100M+ in compensation. Is that not just outrageous? Don't get me wrong - there was a time when I thought he was a good leader. Now we know he allowed and was probably complicit in lying about DeVry's placement statistics.
DeVry could have remained a very successful niche school for High School grads and Adult learners who are competent and at least had a chance of succeeding in rigorous curriculum. But DeVry was all about GROWTH, so practically anyone with a breath was admitted. Many failed and were saddled with 5, 10, 15 thousand dollars while they tried to make it.
This is what haunts me about my latter years at DeVry, when the focused turned from helping good students get a leg up to allowing DEM to literally push everyone who showed an interest in DeVry to a 'butt in a seat'.
I can't tell anyone one where I used to work because of the shame I feel for what happened at DeVry. I stayed at the end of my career because I was handcuffed by my position, salary and not wanting to start over somewhere else. This is my biggest regret. I allowed my personal ethics to be compromised and I am ashamed and disappointed in my self for letting it happen.
Don't be me. Move on from this scourge of a institution. Yes, you can change the name and sell (or give away) a once fine institution but you will never change the culture of the FOR PROFIT industry. At least not until they can develop a conscience.