Former Iowa State president to lead Ashford board

**SwirlingFloater** · 12-21-2012, 11:39 AM

Former Iowa State president to lead Ashford board | 9 On Your Side

AMES, Iowa (AP) Former Iowa State University President Greg Geoffroy (Joh'-free) will become the chairman of the board of Ashford University, the for-profit online education school in Clinton.
Geoffroy tells the Ames Tribune (http://*******/UhR4V2 ) that he took the unpaid position because he wants to help shape the future of online education rather sit "on the sidelines."
He says its fast growth will be driven by for-profit schools such as Ashford, which has 18,000 students, including 1,200 on the Clinton campus.
Parent company Bridgepoint Education enrolled 91,000 students this semester. Bridgepoint and other for-profit schools came under scrutiny during a U.S. Senate investigation for aggressive recruiting practices, heavy reliance on federal financial aid for revenue, and high student costs and debt.
Geoffroy says he believes the for-profit sector is improving and needs to continue.

http://amestrib.com/sections/news/ames-and-story-county/former-isu-head-takes-new-role-ashford-university.html#small

**JBone84** · 12-21-2012, 11:45 AM

Not sure how I feel about this, but I think I am biased against for-profit educational institutions. More of a gut feel than any first hand experience. Would be open to hearing others' thoughts.

**SwirlingFloater** · 12-21-2012, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by JBone84

Not sure how I feel about this, but I think I am biased against for-profit educational institutions. More of a gut feel than any first hand experience. Would be open to hearing others' thoughts.

I am the same way. There have been some unflattering investigative reports on for-profit institutions.

Interesting that Geoffroy's position as chairman is unpaid.

**Acylum** · 12-21-2012, 12:00 PM

Somewhat surprised, but I believe the Mayans called this.

**only4cy** · 12-21-2012, 01:57 PM

Probably impressed by their brochure. Hope he doesn't show up at the stadium expecting to see a game.

**ruxCYtable** · 12-21-2012, 02:05 PM

Ashford is a dump. The school has changed its name at least three times in the last 10 years. Then they went the for profit route to save themselves from going under. They built a football stadium so they could include pictures in their promotional material but they have no football team. Really a shady organization if you ask me.

**WhatchaGonnaDo** · 12-21-2012, 02:10 PM

Not sure how I feel about this. The for-profit education stuff just seems to be filled with scumbags.

**SwirlingFloater** · 12-21-2012, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

Ashford is a dump. The school has changed its name at least three times in the last 10 years. Then they went the for profit route to save themselves from going under. They built a football stadium so they could include pictures in their promotional material but they have no football team. Really a shady organization if you ask me.

This is what I had heard about Ashford. I was surprised to see GG accept a position on their board especially if it is truly unpaid as the article said. If they were laying a huge pile of cash in front of him to accept the chair position, I wouldn't fault him for making the money grab.

**LindenCy** · 12-21-2012, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by SwirlingFloater

This is what I had heard about Ashford. I was surprised to see GG accept a position on their board especially if it is truly unpaid as the article said. If they were laying a huge pile of cash in front of him to accept the chair position, I wouldn't fault him for making the money grab.

I agree about for profits to some extent. You can get some education there, but for the price, you should just go to a traditional school. The quality is really inconsistent and they pay their instructors very low wages.

I think him taking it for no money may speak better of him. Maybe he thinks he can help somehow without the appearance that he just sold out for the cash. Still it is an interesting move.

**cyclone87** · 12-21-2012, 02:50 PM

My guess is the current issues with then Harkin institute here at ISU influenced this move, Geoffroy was on the board at the institute which has come under heavy scrutiny as of late. Plus there has been controversy over the role the Harkin Institute should have on researching/implementing new policy (as CARD is already well known agricultural policy research institute on campus).

Harkin mum on role in fundraising for institute | Ames Tribune
$1 coin backers give to Harkin center | Ames Tribune

**2Xclone** · 12-21-2012, 04:06 PM

Hope he fixes their current tactics with regard to "stealing" money from students. My oldest daughter decided to finish her degree via their on-line program ( wish she would have talked to me first before she signed...:(. ) and is paying for it now. She is learning a tough life lesson and is 3-4 classes short of a degree now. These guys are scum, pure and simple. I believe they are under investigation by the Iowa Attorney General's office. I may have to send him a letter.