Spokesperson Advisory: Brandman University Chancellor Available to Comment on New Regulations From Department of Education

WHO:

Gary Brahm

Chancellor of Brandman University, a 50+-year-old non-profit, fully accredited adult university within the Chapman University System, based in Orange County, California.

WHAT:

Chancellor Gary Brahm is available to respond to the Department of Education's new regulations for higher education, which were to be announced today, but have been delayed until Friday, June 18.  Chancellor Brahm is available for media interviews through Friday.

"There has been much concern expressed about the current state of higher education in America, and its inability to meet the needs of today's student population and corporate America's talent needs.  Since its inception, Brandman University has been committed to providing our students with transparency in their educational investment.  Brandman is proud of its legacy of high graduation rates, currently at 68 percent for a transfer-to-graduation rate in four years, which is coupled with a very low 2.2 percent loan default rate for two years for the Chapman University System.  We applaud Secretary Arne Duncan for showing the same commitment to accountability and outcomes, and leading the way to reforming higher education."

GARY'S SPEAKING TOPICS:

• The importance of transparency in higher education; graduations rates, loan default rates
• Understanding changing employer needs
• The importance of placing emphasis on spending for student services to set students up for success
• How traditional not-for-profit universities can serve the needs of adult students and compete effectively with for profit universities

BIO:

Prior to his present position with Brandman University, Brahm served as the executive vice president for finance and administration and chief operating officer of Chapman University for more than 13 years.  Brahm also served as a member of numerous Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) visiting teams and in 2007, he was appointed for a three-year term to the WASC Interim Review Committee.

WHEN:

Upon request, contact Kirsten Clausen at 213-438-8726.