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President
Neumont University
July 2006
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When we interviewed Scott McKinley last year, the school was named Northface University. What happened?
The name was changed due to confusion with the similar name of an established clothing company. We chose Neumont, the etymology of which is 'new mountain,' to represent a first-ever approach to higher education in computer science, that provides both classroom theory and real-world projects. |
How has your Wall Street background helped you as a college president?
For 14 years from 1986 to 2000, I helped build new businesses around new products, customers and, geographies. For example, I helped establish mortgage-backed securities in Asia for Merrill Lynch. I extended Lehman Brothers' fixed-income business in Japan. These business-building skills have served me well during the past four years at Neumont. I learned that to build any business the product and customer must be well defined. Our product is a competent entry-level employee and our customer is his or her eventual employer. The project-based curriculum flowed naturally from that approach. |
What signs of progress are evident after two years educating software technicians?
Our mission is to educate the most sought-after software developers. Employer demand for our students is the most important evidence of our success. Even before commencement ceremonies in May 2006, 100 percent of Neumont graduates had accepted employment with average starting salaries of $58,646. That's 15 percent above the national average of $50,892 for computer science graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Spring 2006 Salary Survey. |
What is your size now and your growth prospects?
We grew from zero to 280 students in two years. They come from 40 states and 10 foreign countries. We expect our 2008 enrollment to be 500 students. If those numbers seem small, a graduating class in computer science in the United States averages 59 students, according to the CRA Taulbee Survey, which includes all colleges and universities. So, in our first year we are a medium-sized program. And that's the smallest we ever expect to be. Within three to five years we will be the largest single source of Bachelors degrees in Computer Science in the United States. |
If I were going to borrow to attend your school, what could you tell me to help me evaluate the future?
The opportunity to be real-world work-ready in 30 months is especially valuable to you. There's a real demand among U.S. employers for the skills of a software designer, software engineer, project manager or quality assurance tester. The skills you'll receive at Neumont aren't readily off-shoreable or out-sourceable. Meanwhile, education may be the second largest lifetime investment you'll make. Consider the potential return on your investment. Even if you can attend another school at zero cost, you'll likely get a better return on your investment in time and money here. Meanwhile, your student loan payments will be much less painful with a high-end starting salary. |
TOPICS: Executive Briefing, Finance, Leadership
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