ARGOSY UNIVERSITY LED BY DIVERSE TEAM
(San Bernardino, CA) – The Inland Empire’s newest university boasts an ethnically diverse administrative team with women and men in strong leadership roles. They believe all students receive the best opportunities to succeed in their careers at Argosy University/Inland Empire.
“Our leadership team, as well as many others here at Argosy University/Inland Empire, know the challenges of trying to work, raise a family and at the same time, further your education,” said Interim Campus Director Wendy Vasquez-Osborn. “We believe Argosy University presents the Inland Empire with great opportunities to work university into busy schedules, and look forward to helping each of our students and prospective students on a path to success.”
Vasquez-Osborn, who comes to Argosy University/Inland Empire with vast experience in higher education. Business, education and psychology are the major focuses of Argosy University’s curriculum. While completing her studies for bachelor’s degrees in psychology and history at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. this Mexican-American woman served as a “Macess Mentor,” where she helped 30 Black and Latino students learn about the college environment and get ready to attend Macalaster.
After living in Colorado for a few years, Vasquez-Osborn came to the Inland Empire and began working for the Ontario campus of the University of Phoenix in 1999. She once again took advantage of her workplace being a school, and obtained a master’s degree in organizational management in 2005.
Dr. Marilyn Al-Hassan, the program chairman for Argosy University/Inland Empire, also has an extensive background in psychology and education. This African-American woman holds a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from the Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Sarasota/Argosy in Orange. She is a certified drug and alcohol counselor, as well as a certified anger management counselor.
At Argosy University/Inland Empire, Al-Hassan oversees all of Argosy’s educational programs. She tracks students’ performance on tests, and hires and trains faculty. She comes to Argosy University/Inland Empire from Argosy University/Orange County campus, where she had the same job in that school’s education department. Al-Hassan has previously overseen educational programs at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science and at the Get Off Drugs treatment program, both in south central Los Angles. One of the programs she managed at Charles Drew University promoted the medical benefits of sexual abstinence for teenagers, another worked to prevent violence in families and communities.
In addition to running programs such as those at Argosy University, Al-Hassan gives presentations throughout the United States on the topics of education and violence prevention.
Another veteran of Argosy University/Orange County is registrar Michelle Gradillas. This Mexican-American woman has worked for Argosy University since 2004, first in the Admissions Department at Argosy University/Orange County campus before joining the Inland Empire team.
Here in the Inland Empire, she oversees the registration of Argosy University students, and keeps records of their courses grades, attendance and official college transcripts. Gradillas obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Argosy University/Orange County campus while she was working there. She received her bachelor’s degree just one year after completing an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice at Everest College in Rancho Cucamonga in 2003. Prior to Argosy, she worked in the parole department of the California Youth Authority.
Business Manager Michael Andruski came to Argosy University/Inland Empire with much previous experience in the business world, which helps him as he keeps track of the campus’s financial affairs. He’s Polish, and speaks Portuguese fluently.
Immediately prior to working for Argosy University/Inland Empire, Andruski was the controller for American Integrity Corporation in Apple Valley. He also was an accounting manager for Universal Technical Institute in Rancho Cucamonga, and worked as an accountant/office manager for several other companies in southern California.
Andruski is a graduate of Brigham Young University, having obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from there.
“At Argosy University/Inland Empire, our courses are thoroughly oriented to the real working world. We focus on the development of technical proficiency in your field as well as the overall professional approach expected in business, industrial, or medical environments,” Vasquez-Osborn said.
Argosy University/Inland Empire officials say the school schedules its classes to make them convenient for students. Sessions are offered in the day, the evening, or blended, online and in classroom. “We help you work your education around the other demands of your life—whether it’s your family, a job, or other pursuits that are important to you,” Vasquez-Osborn said.
Financial aid is available from the University’s fulltime financial aid department for those who qualify.
For more information on Argosy University/Inland Empire call (866) 217-9075 or visit www.argosyu.edu/inlandempire.
Photo caption:
From left are Larry Gable, director of the Inland Empire Field Office for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; Dr. Donald L. Averill, chancellor of the San Bernardino Valley Community College district and Argosy University/Inland Empire staff members Kim Woods and Dr. Marilyn Al-Hassan. The group is pictured during the university’s grand opening.
Argosy University/Inland Empire is one of 18 Argosy University (www.argosyu.edu) locations in twelve states. Argosy University offers doctoral and master’s degree programs in psychology, business, counseling, and education. Argosy University also offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in psychology and business, and associate’s degree programs in various health sciences fields. Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA) (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602, 1-800-621-7440, www.ncahlc.org).
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