Brian E. Mueller will be this month's guest speaker at the Southern Arizona CCIM Chapter meeting being held March 10, 2015 in Tucson, AZ.
Mueller joined Grand Canyon University in July 2008 to usher in a new era for the institution - from an entrepreneurial venture to a market-supported private university. Taking the successes he experienced as a teacher and coach at the high school and small college level as well as his 22 years of experience at the Apollo Group (the parent company of University of Phoenix), Mueller has transformed GCU from a financially-troubled university into a $2 billion institution that has become a driving force in higher education today.
As the university's president and CEO, Mueller is progressive and anticipatory in an industry that is slow in adapting to change. Since Mueller joined GCU, the university has experienced unprecedented growth. Enrollment on the Phoenix campus has jumped from less than 1,000 to 11,000, while online enrollment has gone from 12,500 to 55,000. Mueller has also overseen a $400 million expansion of the campus through new technologies, classrooms, laboratories, athletic facilities and student amenities, with another $400 million scheduled for the next four years.
These efforts to create a better educational environment have been accomplished at no additional cost to students or taxpayers in Arizona. By creating a hybrid education model that relies on operational efficiencies and fiscal responsibility on its ground and online campuses, Mueller has been able to freeze tuition on GCU's Phoenix campus for seven straight years. That ensures one of the GCU president's highest priorities - that a high-quality, private, Christian education is affordable to all socioeconomic classes. GCU awards approximately $140 million in institutional aid to students every year and remains among the most affordable private universities in the country.
Academically, Mueller has led a reinvention of GCU's programs, aligning the school's curriculum with high-growth fields such as computer science, information technology and engineering, among others, while continuing to produce graduates with the high character and servant leadership the university is known for. The university now has eight colleges and offers more than 160 degree programs.
Another emphasis for Mueller has been his five-point plan to revitalize west Phoenix by 1) Developing a STEM workforce that attracts businesses to the area, 2) Creating jobs for local residents, 3) Supporting K-12 education, 4) Making the surrounding neighborhood safer through a $1 million partnership with the Phoenix Police Department, and 5) Helping hundreds of homeowners in the community through a first-of-its-kind partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
GCU's involvement in the community is reflected in more than 100 service projects its students and staff have embraced.
Mueller's vision for Christian education draws from his own experiences as a student, teacher and coach in Christian schools. His passion is also seen in his inspiring Chapel service addresses, which draw standing-room only crowds at GCU Arena.
Prior to joining Grand Canyon University, Mueller was CEO of the University of Phoenix Online, when it grew from 3,000 students to 340,000 students in an eight-year time frame. He was eventually president of the Apollo Group, where the university as a whole grew to more than 450,000 students.
Mueller began his higher education career as a teacher and coach at Concordia University. He earned a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia.
Mueller serves on a myriad of boards, including the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Arizona Commerce Authority, and is executive director of the Joy Community Church Foundation. He has been married to his wife Paula for 38 years and has four grown children who also work at GCU.
The luncheon will be held at the TAR Building at 2445 N Tucson Blvd., Tucson on March 10th, registration begins at 11:30 with lunch and speakers from 12:00 to 1:15.
CCIM Designee Monthly luncheon fee shall be $0
Member/Guest Monthly luncheon fee shall be $25
Walk-In fee, when space is available, shall be $35 (walk-ins must be members or guests)
MRED Student Member luncheon fee shall be $15- effective Feb 2015
A continuing education class follows the luncheon from 1:30 – 4:30pm for those interested.
This month’s class is When Bankruptcy and Real Estate Meet: Keeping it Cool with Cheryl Copperstone Esq. CEU in Real Estate Legal Issues
To RSVP for the luncheon meeting click here: RSVP
If you are unable to register online at this site please contact Aaron Reid at sazccim@tucsonrealtors.org