Carol Palmer, President, Amberton University
In an interview with Invest:, Carol Palmer, President of Amberton University, highlighted the launch of a data analytics degree and the expansion into AI and Healthcare Administration programs. Palmer emphasized that maintaining affordable tuition without compromising quality is a key priority for the nonprofit institution.
How have your various roles influenced your approach to leadership?
I started as an adjunct instructor at Amberton University 14 years ago, then became a full-time Professor, Academic Dean, and Director of Business Division accreditation. Eventually, I moved into the vice president role for academics and now serve as president. My rise through the academic ranks shapes my decision-making at Amberton. Additionally, I have business experience from various organizations outside higher education. I believe that this blend of academic and business experience is crucial for Amberton University’s future.
What have been some key milestones and achievements for Amberton University during the past year?
Amberton has been actively developing new programs and certifications. A significant highlight is our new Data Analytics degree and certification, launched during the summer 2024 session, which has been well-received by our graduate students. Our largest programs — Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Strategic Leadership, and General Business — continue to thrive. We are also seeing great success with our new business degrees and certifications.
Amberton University is venturing into artificial intelligence with plans to launch a new AI course and potential certification in the future. We’re currently working on expanding into Healthcare Administration to meet a significant need in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We’ve introduced a new Finance certification and Forensic Accounting certification and are emphasizing soft skills, which are highly sought after by industry partners. Our new Soft Skills certification reflects this focus.
What strategies are you employing to attract students from different demographics?
Amberton University has always catered to working adults, and for over 50 years, this focus has served us well. Many working adults are returning to school due to life circumstances such as family and career interruptions. This sector is our specialty, and I’m proud to say our enrollment is growing. While enrollment is a challenge for many higher education institutions, our strategy focuses on offering relevant programs, courses, and certifications that meet market demands at an extremely affordable price. This approach is working well for us, and we will continue to prioritize working adults in the future.
I’d also like to highlight our history in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Amberton has been serving the working adult student for over 50 years. Our faculty members are working practitioners, bringing real-world experience into the classroom. In today’s higher education landscape, the value of a degree is often questioned. Students want to know what they’re getting for their money, and at Amberton, they receive practical, applicable education that meets their needs at an affordable price. And, unlike many academic institutions, Amberton did not increase tuition this academic year.
How is Amberton adapting its programs and services to better support working adults?
Technology is key; we must offer the most up-to-date technology for our working adults. Flexibility is also imperative. Our classes are available online, on campus, or as a hybrid combination of both. Most of our students prefer online degrees, and we have been successfully offering online degrees for over 25 years. We also offer flexible classes at night, on weekends, and online to accommodate our adult students balancing work, life, family, and travel.
How does Amberton University collaborate with businesses and industries to align with the needs of the region?
We have several key partnerships, including a notable one with the City of Dallas. Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to strengthen this relationship. Our professors have been offering free webinars to the city of Dallas for their Workforce Wednesday program. Topics have included workplace stress, burnout, managing the generations, and customer service. These webinars have been well received. This partnership allows us to share our expertise with the community, and is also a great opportunity to showcase what Amberton has to offer.
How does Amberton maintain affordable costs for its students?
As a nonprofit, we work hard to maintain affordability. I’m pleased to highlight the fact that we had no tuition increase this year, thanks to our growing enrollment. We also strive to keep fees minimal, avoiding hidden charges. Despite our low costs, we maintain high education standards. We’re regionally accredited by SACSCOC, and most of our business programs are accredited by ACBSP. In addition to this, our Project Management programs are accredited by PMI GAC, and our Human Resource Management program aligns with SHRM standards.
Most of our students “pay as they go,” avoiding debt, and immediately use their new skills to advance their careers. Our low-cost model reflects our efficiency and focus on essential educational services. We don’t have the overhead costs of sports teams or on-campus housing for example, which helps us keep tuition low without compromising the quality education that our students receive.
We’re proud of our ability to offer high-quality education at an affordable price. Our mission is to help students achieve their goals without the burden of debt, ensuring they pay only for their education, not services that are unnecessary for the working adult student.
How does Amberton University engage with the local community?
We’re actively involved in many Chambers of Commerce, including Garland, Richardson, and Frisco. This year, we’re focusing more on community service opportunities. We partner with municipalities such as the City of Dallas, offering benefits such as fee waivers and reduced financing charges for their employees. We’re also involved with organizations like the North Texas Crime Commission, supporting our law enforcement officers. This partnership has been particularly rewarding, and we look forward to continuing and expanding our community engagement in North Texas.
What are your vision and top priorities for Amberton University for the next two to three years?
Amberton’s outlook is positive. Our top priority is to offer new programs, courses, and certifications that align with market changes and student needs. Innovation within our degree programs and educational offerings is crucial as we adapt to the ever-evolving marketplace.
We also plan to continue focusing on technology innovation, and enhanced teaching methods. We consistently train our faculty and staff through seminars, webinars, and conferences to enhance their skills which directly benefits our students.
