PEORIA, Ariz. (June 21, 2012) – The city of Peoria
and Trine University of Angola, Indiana have entered into an exclusive
negotiating agreement to explore the development of a branch campus in Peoria.
The campus will offer bachelor and master’s degrees in engineering, as well as a
variety of other programs that are in line with Peoria’s 2010 Higher Education
Feasibility Study, and Economic Development Implementation Strategy (EDIS).
The purpose of the agreement is to provide both parties an opportunity to
determine the project’s parameters including the site plan, program roll-out,
student enrollment targets, as well as identify partners for the project. The
results of the negotiations will be determined over the next few months.
“We are very pleased to explore the possibilities in Peoria," said Earl D.
Brooks II, Ph.D., president of Trine University. "Trine’s engineering program is
the culmination of more than a century of experience, and this is an exciting
opportunity for us to invest in educational advances in yet another community to
provide educational resources for students that will, in turn, meet the needs of
the region in terms of workforce development, technical training and access to
private, nonprofit higher education.”
Founded in 1884 in Angola, Indiana, Trine University offers more than 35 degree
programs on its main campus, as well as online and at regional campuses and
education centers throughout Indiana and Michigan. The university has become the
fastest-growing private university in Indiana over the last five years, with a
68 percent increase in enrollment. U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton
Review have ranked Trine among the Midwest’s Best Colleges every year since
2008.
University recruitment has been a top priority of the City Council since the
EDIS was adopted in 2010.
“We are very happy to enter into these negotiations with Trine,” said Scott
Whyte, director of Economic Development Services. “Our EDIS stipulated that
university recruitment should focus on STEM (science technology, engineering,
and math) programs, and Trine’s robust engineering program offers a perfect
complement to other recent innovation developments in Peoria, namely the
location of Maxwell Technologies and the establishment of our Bioinspire medical
device incubator.”
The university’s job-placement rates are above the national average. Of the
university’s 2011 graduating class, 91 percent of graduates found meaningful
employment or were enrolled in graduate school within six months of
commencement.
“Trine’s multiple achievements can be attributed to numerous advancements,
including the leadership’s vision and constant quest for creativity and
innovation in our academic programming,” Brooks said. “We believe our successes
will lead to economic prosperity, growth and progress in Peoria.”
Trine is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools, and its education, engineering and business
programs are nationally recognized and accredited.
