Northcentral University appoints new President

Dr. Claudia Santin to lead growing 100% online university

Prescott, Arizona–September 5, 2006 — Northcentral University (NCU), a leader in accredited 100% online education, announced today that the NCU Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Claudia Santin to the position of President of Northcentral University. “It is my pleasure to announce Dr. Santin’s appointment, and I am confident she will be instrumental in the continued growth and success of NCU,” said Dr. Don Hecht, NCU founder and president of the institution since its inception in 1996. All departments now report to Santin, whose appointment was effective September 1, 2006.

Santin joined the NCU staff in 2004 as its first Dean of the School of Education, launching its master’s, Ed.D., and Ph.D. programs. Santin went on to serve NCU as Academic Vice President, Provost and Chief Operating Officer. Her original association with NCU was as a member of the Board of Directors, beginning in 2001.

Since her arrival at NCU, Santin has played a progressively vital role. “She understands NCU’s mission and is dedicated to providing Learners with access to quality online degree programs,” commented Hecht.

Santin’s ascension to the President’s position comes as NCU is expanding rapidly. The institution is achieving steady growth in enrollment, thanks in large part to its solid reputation as a premier accredited online university.

At the end of August, 2006, NCU had over 3,600 Learners enrolled in courses. Beginning 2006 at fewer than 2,400 Learners, growth has exceeded 40% during the first eight months of 2006.

NCU has outgrown its Prescott headquarters building and is leasing additional space in two buildings nearby, as it builds a new state-of-the-art “world headquarters” a dozen miles away in Prescott Valley, to accommodate the school’s growing staff and infrastructure.

Just as important as building sufficiently large quarters, however, is developing an organizational structure that will enable continued growth and simultaneously maintain the high education standards NCU Learners, faculty and staff expect. And with Santin in charge of academics and day-to-day operations, NCU founder and out-going president Don Hecht will now be better able to concentrate on corporate growth and development.

“I will continue to serve as a member of the NCU Board of Directors”, Hecht explains, “and provide continuity of history, mission and vision as NCU expands its leadership presence in higher education.”

Uniquely qualified by a background in traditional as well as non-traditional education, Dr. Santin is the right individual to assume the reins of NCU’s academic and administrative energies.

Prior to joining NCU, Santin served as Full Professor and Dean of Graduate Leadership Studies, then Dean of Academic Affairs at the Fischler School of Education (2001-2003), and was Associate Dean of the Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship (1996-2001)—both institutions of Nova Southeastern University.

Santin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (cum laude) and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Personnel Services at the College of New Jersey, where she was Graduate Salutatorian, as well as Graduate Fellow, Teaching Assistant, and a Chi Sigma Iota inductee. Her Doctorate in Education was awarded by Nova Southeastern University in areas of specialization perfectly tailored to meet the challenges of her new role: Higher Education Administration and Leadership with a concentration in Institutional Advancement.

Santin's education credentials and experience also include training and certification for Teaching the Online Student, and Executive Certificate in Corporate Strategy from the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, and a graduate Certificate in Marketing Management from NSU.

A native of Trenton, N.J., Santin has two children—one an attorney practicing in Florida, the other pursuing a Ph.D. in E-Commerce.