Strayer University: A Legacy of Innovation for Working Adults
For more than 130 years, Strayer University has stood as a pioneer in American higher education, consistently adapting to meet the evolving needs of working adults seeking to advance their careers through education. Founded in 1892 by Dr. S. Irving Strayer in Baltimore, Maryland, the institution began as Strayer’s Business College of Baltimore City, born from a simple yet powerful observation: the business world was evolving rapidly, and traditional education was failing to keep pace . Dr. Strayer recognized that working adults needed a focused, practical education to help them further their careers and improve their lives .
From its earliest days, the institution demonstrated a progressive spirit that would define its entire history. In the early 1900s, Strayer welcomed women into its classrooms at a time when many institutions did not . This commitment to accessibility and inclusion would become a cornerstone of the university’s identity. The institution expanded to Washington, D.C., in 1904, establishing a presence in the nation’s capital that would eventually become its headquarters . Buy fake USA diploma online.
Throughout the 20th century, Strayer continued to evolve. In 1970, the institution was licensed to offer four-year bachelor of science degrees and was renamed Strayer College . The 1980s brought further expansion, with authorization to award master’s degrees in 1987 and accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a recognition the university maintains to this day . By 1998, reflecting its growing academic scope, Strayer College officially became Strayer University .
Perhaps no milestone better illustrates Strayer’s innovative spirit than its embrace of online education. In 1996, when the internet was still in its infancy for most Americans, Strayer was among the first institutions in the nation to offer classes online . This foresight positioned the university as a leader in distance learning long before online education became mainstream. Today, every course offered on campus is also available online, allowing students unprecedented flexibility to balance education with work and family responsibilities .
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The university’s mission has remained remarkably consistent throughout its history: to make high-quality postsecondary education accessible to adult learners of diverse backgrounds and foster their intellectual growth and professional success . This mission manifests in practical ways—91 percent of Strayer’s approximately 37,000 students attend part-time, and the average student age is 33, reflecting the institution’s focus on working adults juggling multiple responsibilities .
Strayer’s commitment to academic quality is validated through multiple accreditations. The university holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, with its accreditation status most recently reaffirmed in 2017 . Business degree programs have earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance program has been designated as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2027 . The university is certified to operate in Virginia by SCHEV and maintains campuses across the country .
A transformative moment in Strayer’s history came in 2011 with the acquisition of the Jack Welch Management Institute (JWMI) . Named after Jack Welch, the legendary CEO of General Electric whom Fortune magazine called “Manager of the Century,” JWMI brought a prestigious executive MBA program to Strayer’s offerings . The institute’s philosophy—transforming professionals into leaders by teaching Jack Welch’s practical management principles—resonated strongly with Strayer’s career-focused mission. Today, the JWMI MBA is consistently ranked among the nation’s best, earning recognition as a top 10 online MBA program by The Princeton Review . Students learn from “Experts of Practice”—current and former CEOs and executives from companies including Berkshire Hathaway, Netflix, and Boeing—who bring real-world leadership experience directly into the virtual classroom .
Strayer’s academic structure today encompasses 23 degree programs with 75 concentrations and specializations across undergraduate and graduate levels . Fields of study include business administration, accounting, information technology, criminal justice, health services administration, public administration, and education . The university has also expanded into non-degree programs through acquisitions like Devmountain and Hackbright Academy, offering intensive bootcamps in web and mobile application development .
Innovation continues through initiatives like Strayer Studios, launched in 2016 to reimagine course content and keep students engaged with learning . The Center for Well-Being, established in 2022, supports students holistically, recognizing that academic success depends on overall wellness . Through Sophia Learning, an affiliate, bachelor’s students can complete general education courses at no additional cost, making degrees more affordable and accessible .
The university’s global reach extends far beyond American borders, having hosted more than 4,000 international students from over 143 countries . Approximately 18 percent of JWMI MBA students live outside the United States, representing 67 countries, and half of the JWMI student body is female—a remarkable achievement in business education .
Strayer’s impact is perhaps best measured through the success of its alumni. Belita Strudwick, who earned her MBA in 2018, exemplifies the transformative power of a Strayer education. As the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, she went on to become manager of quality management and accreditation for one of the largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the country, impacting 1.2 million lives . “Earning my degree really made me confident to speak to health care executives,” she says. “It gave me the foundation to be able to have those high-level conversations” .
Carmalitha Gumbs (MBA 2004, MHSA 2010) and Sarah Sims (BBA 2012) represent thousands of alumni who have built on their Strayer education to achieve career goals and create lasting change in their communities . These stories embody the university’s core belief that education should lead directly to professional advancement and personal fulfillment.
Under the leadership of Dr. Antoinette Farmer-Thompson, appointed as the 18th president in April 2024, Strayer continues to refine its mission of empowering adult learners . The university’s commitment to affordability, flexibility, and career relevance remains as strong today as when Dr. S. Irving Strayer first opened his business college in Baltimore.
For 130 years, Strayer University has demonstrated that education can adapt to students’ lives rather than demanding that students adapt to education. From welcoming women in the early 1900s to pioneering online learning in the 1990s, from teaching typing and shorthand to offering nationally ranked MBAs and cybersecurity programs, Strayer has consistently honored its founder’s vision: providing practical, accessible education that helps working adults advance their lives and achieve their goals. As the university looks toward its next century, it continues to embody the spirit of innovation and inclusion that has defined it from the very beginning.