The Revitalization of Jones International University

Since its start in 1993, Jones International University, Englewood (JIUE) has stayed strong in its evolution. The vision began when Glenn R. Jones founded the cable television network Mind Extension University in 1987, which allowed more than 30,000 students to watch courses from over 30 institutions and universities. After which, in 1999, Jones International University became the first entirely online university in the United States to get accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Despite its great start, JIUE encountered some setbacks that resulted in it shutting down briefly. After 22 years of consistent service and the provision of high-quality university education to countless students all over the world, JIUE decided to close its doors on March 31, 2015. The decision was largely due to a decline in enrollment and a need for financial reorganization.

2,000 students had to transfer credits or quit attending school at the time. However, JIUE did not abandon its students when the time came. For the students that would finish that year, JIUE allowed the winding down operations to last around a year to 15 months so that the Class of 2015 did not have to transfer for completion of their degree.

The school was finally reopened for Spring intake in 2017. The reopening was made possible thanks to an EEI investment of USD 3.5 million, as well as a USD 15 million operational reserve investment and an additional 5 million annual investment for research and development in the Finance, Business and Economics units of the University. These investments have aided the University to continually finance programs for its students in over 70 countries around the globe.

In the words of the President, Dr. Henry S. Wyatt, JIUE “wants to further develop capacity in the College of Business and Economics, specifically in the finance, management, and marketing segments.” The investments received made it possible to improve the University's capabilities.

Education continued without a hitch until the University once again experienced another obstacle. This time it was the Covid pandemic that wreaked havoc worldwide in the years 2020 and 2021.

The challenges the University faced in 2015 were sort of repeated during the Covid outbreak. This put a strain on the University’s existing resources while also exacerbating some of the challenges they were already dealing with. Although they were able to continue operating, there were several setbacks along the way.

For schools and institutions alike, the epidemic created a slew of logistical issues. Some pupils had a variety of concerns, ranging from technological difficulties to motivational ones. A difficult aspect to address has been the absence of feedback and contact between students and teachers. Jones International University like many other institutions around the world was affected by the epidemic, and navigating through it as an institution of higher learning was not without some difficulty. Fortunately, the University has risen above these challenges.

The epidemic allowed the University to restructure its few inadequacies. But the education process wasn’t disrupted a great deal because JIUE's courses have always been online. However, they improved their procedures to make internet communication even easier. To stimulate communication and skill acquisition, they made extensive use of the Internet, streaming audio and video, and other developing technologies. The Jones International University e-global Library was also completely online and accessible to students during the Covid pandemic. Students used e-mail and asynchronous forums to collaborate with professors and classmates thus providing a highly participatory community where learners could exchange ideas and experiences. To date, students can learn at home, or wherever they are in the world, as long as they have access to the Internet.

Studies have conclusively suggest that with online education experiencing a significant growth during this past decade, Jones International University, being one of the early fore-runners, has mastered the trends very well to improve the effectiveness of distance learning programs and hence ensure online student success. This has no doubt proven their immense strength, tenacity and credibility globally.