Purdue, Former Kaplan Leaders Launch Online College 'Purdue Global'

Purdue University officially launched its controversial joint venture with what was formerly known as Kaplan University Monday. Officials say the newly-rebranded Purdue Global is targeted toward working adults.

The Purdue Global Board of Trustees, which consists of current Purdue trustees and one former Kaplan University trustee, will set goals for the school in the coming months.

It will also be responsible for evaluating the job performance of new chancellor Betty Vandenbosch, who’d previously led Kaplan University.

The school’s target student would be someone like Maile Quinton, who works at Purdue’s Child Development Lab School and is pursuing an online master’s degree in psychology.

Quinton says she enrolled because it’s the option that fit best with her schedule.

“I get off at 3:45 p.m., and so I have the evening to work on classes,” Quinton says. “I don’t work on weekends and I can really devote my attention to both things.”

Purdue officials say the online university’s success will be measured by enrollment, graduation rates and an evaluation of Vandenbosch’s performance that the trustees will construct.