Covering the business of education and training

Wall Street called University of Phoenix's performance last quarter disappointing. The result was a 22% drop in the company's stock value.

Apollo Group, Executive Chairman, John Sperling, obviously doesn't agree with Wall Street.

Here are 15 reasons why University of Phoenix will continue to grow and dominate the online learning and for-profit education industry.

1. Revenue grew 10% last year - how many other companies wish their revenue grew that much in one year.

2. Decreasing margins are the results of significant and necessary investments in our business - investments lead to growth.

3. There is a new open communication culture that allows for good communication up and down the chain in UoP.

4. There is a new executive team with clear lines of authority under Brian Mueller.

5. The company has a very strong, committed, and enduring leadership team.

6. The company is consolidating and aligning campus with online operations.

7. The company has made great strides in consolidating and optimizing its information systems.

8. The company is devoting more resources to strengthening research and curriculum development (for example, to offer more MBA degree programs).

9.  More emphasis is being placed on academic function - numbers 8 and 9 are traditionally absent from forpros. Not any more.

10. Academics, operations, and information systems is focusing on retention.

11. More than 400 new enrollment advisors have been hired and trained place students into programs (like online graduate programs) that are best for the student – online or on campus. 

12. UoP has formed alliances with Ad.Com and Monster.Com to improve the quality of prospecitve students while lowering costs.

13. The company has re-energized its public affairs function - Think naming rights to the Arizona Cardinal’s “University of Phoenix Stadium.”

14. The company has embarked on its first ever comprehensive branding and image campaign to begin in January.

15. The company has established teams to build international operations in Canada, China, India and Latin America to make acquisitions and form alliances with foreign institutions.

Wall Street can drive up or down the value of a company rather simply. But, that value only goes up or down for the people on Wall Street or the few who buy and sell stock in a company daily.

It seems that University of Phoenix is in this for the long haul, when Wall Street wants to know what they can get today.

University of Phoenix has been around for more than 30 years. My bet, now that they have their eyes on Latin America, India, China and Canada, they have at least 30 years of more work ahead of them.

What do you think?