Company: Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ
Company Description: Grand Canyon University is a dynamic, vibrant, interdenominational university that has helped students find their purpose since 1949. The university has a legacy of graduating some of the most well prepared teachers, nurses, healthcare professionals and fine arts students in Arizona and across the Southwest. GCU offers bachelor’s, master's and doctoral degree programs on campus and online.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Diversified Services

Nomination Title: Grand Canyon University

Tell the story about what this nominated organization achieved since January 1 2012 (up to 525 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Arizona and especially greater Phoenix have taken a beating, with thousands of people out of work and businesses struggling to weather the economic storm that ravaged the nation. But while the past few years were challenging for most, Grand Canyon University has risen from the proverbial ashes. What was once a small Christian university teetering on the brink of insolvency has come into its own as a world-class, private liberal arts institution and the region’s major economic driver. GCU built an operational and financial model that has put a quality education within reach. The model does not rely on taxpayer subsidies, yet keeps costs low – about two-thirds less than most private universities and lower than many public schools – for students. In 2012, GCU welcomed the largest student body in its history and was ranked as one of Fortune’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies and Forbes’ America’s Best Small Companies.

As universities cut budgets, eliminated programs and raised tuition, GCU underwent a colossal $200 million expansion to serve a burgeoning student population. In all, GCU built five residence halls, four lecture halls and contemporary college buildings, as well as a student recreation center, food court and bowling lanes. This was in addition to a 5,000-seat, state-of-the-art arena completed in 2011. The expansion was one of the most significant construction investments in Phoenix by a single organization in recent years, accounting for nearly 500 construction jobs.

At the same time, GCU reinvented its academic programs, aligned its curriculum with high-growth fields and increased its workforce by 16 percent in 2012. All told, GCU added 1,197 faculty/adjunct faculty and 984 full-time and student jobs. And the school made an $80 million investment in new technologies, including an online learning system. GCU’s academic programs also garnered attention. In particular, the nursing program ranked first among all bachelor’s degree nursing programs in Arizona in 2012. This led to partnerships with the state’s top hospitals, enabling students to apply their skills in the real world, while filling a shortfall of 2,500 advanced practice registered nurses. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton lauded the number of GCU graduates who were recruited as nurses in top-quality hospitals, along with teachers in inner-city schools and business leaders at top companies.

Outside of the classroom, GCU forged a $1 million partnership with the Phoenix Police Department on a Neighborhood Safety Initiative to strengthen local businesses, link families to an affordable education, and enhance the character of the area. Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia heralded the partnership as a model for other companies and cities to follow. GCU also extended its commitment to excellence in another way by celebrating its invitation to the Division I Western Athletic Conference. And the school enhanced the culture of greater Phoenix with robust, Broadway-quality theater and music productions.

Undoubtedly in 2012, GCU cemented its place as an economic driver in greater Phoenix. As a result, the university is exploring plans to build satellite locations in other areas of Arizona and the Southwest. With its visionary plan beginning to take shape, GCU will continue its upward trajectory and contribute to students, the economy and the community in even bigger ways.

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Provide a brief (up to 125 words) biography about the leader of this nominated organization:

Brian Mueller is president and CEO of Grand Canyon University. With an eye to the future, Mueller took GCU public in an effort to generate capital for a campus expansion. The $230 million initial public offering ushered in a new era of growth and anticipation for the university and its parent company, Grand Canyon Education Inc. Under Mueller's leadership, GCU has built an operational and financial model that has put a quality liberal arts education within most everyone’s reach.

Mueller joined the university in 2009 from Apollo Group Inc., parent company of University of Phoenix. At Apollo, he served as president from 2006-2008 and before that as CEO of University of Phoenix Online.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Concordia University.