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Introduction
Depending on how you slice the numbers, the non-traditional adult student now accounts for somewhere between 60% and
84% of the total population of roughly 16 million higher education students in the United States. This is astonishing considering
that in 1970 the proportion of adult learners was only 28%. This trend shows no signs of slowing or reversing.
It is likely that this trend will spread globally as other countries follow the U.S. In light of this trend the majority
of institutions must at least consider whether their mission needs to evolve in concert.
One does not have to stray far from the Liberty Bell to find a case study of success in establishing a focused mission consistent with filling the important societal mission of
providing greater access and accountability to working adult students. Peirce College, founded in 1865 by Thomas May Peirce, is located in Philadelphia’s business district. Arthur J. Lendo has been
President of Peirce since 1991. He first presided over a comprehensive assessment of the college in the first half of
the 1990’s, followed by a laser focus on the core mission of the institution that will make many of our readers envious.
Starting from the first key principle, that the college’s purpose is primarily to provide “teaching and learning”,
as opposed to “campus management”, Peirce has devised and implemented a strategy that truly reflects their new
mantra: “On campus, on-site, and online.” Under Dr. Lendo’s leadership, Peirce has successfully launched
Peirce Corporate College and Peirce Online. The later initiative involved over 5,000 course registrations in fiscal
year 2003 with students from some 43 states and some half-dozen countries. The college, including online delivery,
is accredited by Middle States.
Prior to coming to Peirce, Dr. Lendo’s credits include administrative and faculty positions at The American University,
Boston College, Northeastern University, and Saint Joseph’s University (PA). In the middle of his academic experience
there was a stint at Sperry Univac, during a tumultuous transition of the computing industry. From this experience Dr.
Lendo says he learned many lessons about business practice - both good and bad. He holds a Ph.D. from Boston College,
a M.Ed. from The American University, and a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.
In this A-HEC interview we probe for some of the key lessons from the transformation experience at Peirce and get the
President’s thoughts on the changing face of higher education.
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