Northwood University is leveraging and expanding its current programming for the corporate and executive sector, capitalizing on its unique specialty degree tracks by establishing a new corporate and executive education program. This is part of a system-wide, strategic restructuring program with a strong focus on growth and sustainability.
Northwood says its support of free-market thinking and business enterprises reaches beyond the borders of its Midland, Michigan, campus. As a premier business university based on the free-enterprise model, the university has a long history of offering specialized corporate learning programs to the global business community. The university plans to build upon this already strong foundation to develop and deliver targeted and customized programs for business partners in all sectors both in the United States and globally.
The enhanced business program will involve tailoring the following components for corporate and industry partners:
- Continuing and executive education
- Undergraduate programming
- Graduate programming
- Training and Development programs
- Certification programs
- Opportunities for traditional undergraduate internships and career development
- Other “value-added” options, such as research partnerships and more
Classes offered through this enhanced program will provide students with the opportunity to begin, continue or complete a degree or earn certifications toward specialized learning accreditations designed specifically for Northwood University’s corporate partners.
“We are dedicated to further building committed strategic partnerships with the corporate sector,” said Dr. Timothy Nash, Northwood University’s senior vice president for corporate and strategic alliances. “Our specialty degree programs have long fostered strong industry ties that have helped us attract knowledgeable faculty and guest lecturers; develop industry-specific, targeted curriculum; create and offer scholarships; and help our graduates find quality jobs in their areas of study. We’re taking these relationships to the next level.”
Nash will lead the program. He will be assisted by Dr. Kevin Fegan, president of Northwood University’s Texas operations, who also will assume the additional leadership role as vice president of corporate and executive education.
“This new program, designed to build key relationships with corporate and industry partners, is in good hands,” said Keith Pretty, Northwood University president and CEO. “Both Tim and Kevin not only have long, successful careers at Northwood University, but they also are alumni. They are well connected in the business world and truly believe in Northwood’s philosophy of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.”
Nash has a bachelor’s degree from Northwood University, a master’s degree in Economics from Central Michigan University, and an EdD in curriculum and instruction with his cognate in business administration from Wayne State University. He has been with Northwood since 1980, has co-authored three books and conducted research and consulting for a number of organizations and Fortune 500 companies.
Fegan holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Northwood University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Central Michigan University and an EdD in curriculum and instruction from Wayne State University. He joined Northwood in 1987 and has held numerous leadership positions with the university over the years.
“Through this effort, corporations, mid-level companies, trade and professional associations and other organizations can invest in high-potential employees to help them enhance their performance; improve worker retention across the organization; and prepare the next generation of leaders,” Nash says.
Northwood University first positioned itself as a leader in corporate education with its Adult Degree Program (ADP), working closely with key corporations to provide a degree track for numerous middle- and lower-upper-level managers who had not completed a bachelor’s degree program. Through its DeVos Graduate School, the university also has developed numerous corporate programs, starting with two in-house Master of Business Administration program cohorts for The Hantz Group and The Dow Chemical Co.
The university currently offers a GM Executive MBA program. Northwood University also has offered a wide variety of continuing and executive education programming and seminars at its Midland campus and at various industry and corporate sites, including its groundbreaking University of the Aftermarket and Tire 2.0 program, which offers a variety of leadership programs for the $350 billion U.S. motor vehicle aftermarket.
“As organizations continue to invest in their employees by offering increased training and development opportunities to stay relevant and lean in today’s economy, the demand for such programming only will increase,” Pretty added.
