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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > June > 10 > Entry
Guest column: Article, editorial distorted situation at Miami-Jacobs
This article was written by Darlene Waite, president of Miami-Jacobs Career College.
A few weeks ago, we sat down with members of the Dayton Daily News editorial board and Reporter Christopher Magan in an attempt to clear up false information being disseminated about Miami-Jacobs Career College.
For the past few months, the Dayton Daily News has been reporting on accusations from a few disgruntled students — without regard to all the facts.
We provided background information, supplied facts to replace false allegations, and acknowledged where we had issues with one program accreditation body and one approval board. We explained how we are addressing these issues.
We have hired consultants to address these issues, and we expect this to be resolved soon.
We are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. We’re authorized by the Ohio Board of Regents to offer associate degrees. We are approved by the Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools.
Additionally, we have programmatic accreditation for several of our programs.
The students in all of our programs are able to sit for the appropriate certification or licensure exams and obtain well-paying jobs.
After our meeting, the Dayton Daily News published an article on May 24, followed by an editorial on May 30, written by editorial writer Scott Elliott. The article, and to a lesser degree the editorial, ignored important factual information.
For the facts, let’s start at the beginning.
Most important, we have been educating and training Dayton-area students for 150 years. We regularly survey employers, observe changes in workforce needs and changes in technology and develop courses and programs to specifically meet the needs of employers.
The Dayton Daily News charges us to “deliver” on our promises. We have delivered. The result is a placement rate of 92 percent for all graduates.
While our graduation rate is in line with other area schools, our placement assistance is second to none. We work with students and employer/partners to match trained graduates with appropriate career positions.
Based on our strong and long history, we have grown to nearly 2,400 students. We have added four new campuses in Ohio since 2005; and the truly inspiring results of our programs can be witnessed in mid-June, when approximately 900 area students will graduate.
Nine out of 10 will join the workforce as contributing citizens, employees and taxpayers.
The article and editorial got some of the facts right, but often the information was taken out of context or was missing an important nuance that would allow readers, in a more balanced way, to fully understand Miami-Jacobs’ position.
It was reported, for instance, that the college has had issues since the corporate takeover. The two are in no way related.
We carefully explained the accreditation or approval status of two of our programs, the actions we have already taken, and plans already in place to address any issues and further enhance the quality of all of our programs.
The editorial board mistakenly jumped to the conclusion, and erroneously assumed, that the acquisition was at the heart of these issues. We vigorously defended against that notion, but the editorial board chose to make it anyway.
Most egregious, however, was the erroneous headline on May 24. It said we shut down two programs; this is completely false. We never stated that we were shutting down these programs; we clearly stated that we elected to suspend new enrollment into two of our programs until current issues were resolved.
Every day at Miami-Jacobs we celebrate with our students whose lives we have changed by educating and training them for successful careers. We applaud them and their accomplishments.
We would not have been able to stay relevant and strong this long without our ability to determine what Dayton employers need and by educating and training members of our community to meet those needs.
We have a long history of proud graduates, all of whom can be potentially hurt by the continuing inaccuracies regarding their alma mater.
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Comments
By cathleen Carter
June 10, 2010 9:37 PM | Link to this
you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig
By joe2
June 10, 2010 9:45 PM | Link to this
We here your explaination and excuses but did the students that paid you to get them ready to take certifcation test in their training program able to do so.
By joe2
June 10, 2010 10:11 PM | Link to this
I spelled hear wrong and .in place of? No I did not attend Miami- Jacobs.
By brad
June 11, 2010 4:19 AM | Link to this
nice,but answer this-were your two programs in question accredited or approved at the time you enrolled students? Were the students informed if they were not? Probloms with these programs(current issues) mean what? Your double speak needs work.
By wrc
June 11, 2010 7:14 AM | Link to this
Your stupidity shows!First you were the one in control.Secondly,you were there when the state told you about the problems the first time.You ignored it instead of fixing it all caused you believed them to be wrong.Even your students knows to keep repeating the mistake once told you’re wrong won’t changed the answer.Thirdly,caused of your stupidity an trying to bend long standing rules the students suffer not caused of the DDN.To blame anyone other than you and management just shows how you don’t really care as long as you make money.If you were a felon an tried this in court,you be serving time as even a felon knows their limits you can’t push.
By Ms grad
June 11, 2010 8:42 AM | Link to this
How about Fortis even. Promises of lollipops, rainbows, etc. when you are starting. Final month, they started telling us jobs were in other states if we could move we might be okay. They just want your money.
By yeah right
June 11, 2010 9:17 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe she is praising their placement assistance program. When I know for a fact that they have not helped 92%of graduates get jobs in their career fields…BOGUS
By MjCc ST GrAd
June 11, 2010 10:22 AM | Link to this
I graduated from MJ this year and had a job within a few weeks. MJ helped me realize my potential and acheive something I never imagined. Every school, business, company has problems people. It’s called the real world.
By Greg
June 11, 2010 10:36 AM | Link to this
I do not know why anyone would want to go to a school where their credits do not transfer to other local colleges. Had a friend who went there (for what ever reason) because she was told that the credits she earned there would transfer to Wright State, maybe Sinclair. Well, guess what happened when she tried to transfer those credits earned at Miami Jacobs? They did not transfer. People just don’t waste your money. There are much better schools out there, that aren’t as expensive.
By Monkey
June 11, 2010 11:06 AM | Link to this
Honestly, how does Darlene sleep at night? Probably quite well in a huge mansion, paid for by the outstanding loans taken out by the desperate unemployed to attend this for-profit shenanigans of a school.
By Mollie
June 11, 2010 11:17 AM | Link to this
Those credits WILL NOT transfer. I work at a local college and I reject transcripts from Miami Jacobs on a regular basis. The students are very upset when they find out they have been lied to by Miami Jacobs. That place is shameful.
By SMH
June 11, 2010 11:59 AM | Link to this
If their credits don’t transfer then explain to me why I’m at Wright State with transferred credits from MJCC. Just a bunch a liars on this board!
By Rem
June 11, 2010 12:48 PM | Link to this
I am so tired of the negative people bashing MJ. I graduated there May of this year and thanks to my externship, I am working. MJ deals with many employers in the area who are proud to call their employees MJ alumni. I love my new career and know I made the right choice to go there.
By Dustin
June 11, 2010 12:49 PM | Link to this
I just graduated last night and am very proud to say I am an ST grad who got placed at the Dayton Surgical Center making $25 an hour. Maybe the reason some of you can’t find a job is because you are posting untrue comments on DDN.com instead of posting your resume somewhere like responsible adults! Get a grip with reality people and wake up and find a job!
By jen
June 11, 2010 12:52 PM | Link to this
Yea I’ve had credits transfer from MJCC as well with no problem! People need to stop with the negative comments…MJCC is a great college!
By Wanda
June 11, 2010 1:29 PM | Link to this
I am a recent grad and I loved the school. I got to take one class at a time for the most part which really helped me when it came to taking care of my family. I now have a great start in my career field and plan to start my own Spa/Massage Clinic in the future. I wish everyone would stop with the bad mouthing of this school.
By LNSN
June 11, 2010 1:45 PM | Link to this
I am very discouraged when I read many of these comments. First off, learn how to spell and use proper grammar. Second, Miami-Jacobs has been serving the Miami Valley for 150 years for a reason. Like any college education or job, you get out of it what you put in. I was at graduation last night (which was beautiful and inspiring)and witnessed hundreds of lives changed in a positive way because of hard work and Miami-Jacobs Career College. I am behind you MJCC and I believe in what you are doing! I know the storm will pass and you will continue to do what you have been doing for so long: providing quality education and job assistance that not only changes the lives of the students, but of their families and our community.
By weh
June 11, 2010 1:51 PM | Link to this
MJCC is a great organization that cares about its students and the success of those students. Those placement numbers are true! Don’t blame MJCC for your own inadequacies.
By csmm
June 11, 2010 3:32 PM | Link to this
Refreshing to read the posts that speak the truth of MJCC, from placement success to transfer of credits. I am proud to say, as a long-time staff member of MJCC, this institution meets and/or exceeds all accrediting standards necessary to operate as an educational facility. I witness on a daily basis, the sincere efforts put forth by staff and faculty to provide the tools our students need for success. We do not take that responsibility lightly. We will continue to graduate successful individuals, prepared to move into the workforce as qualified professionals.
By jts
June 11, 2010 4:54 PM | Link to this
I attended National College from 2005-2007. I was told by admissions that the program that I was attending was accrediated. The program was not. I graduated and received my degree, but this certain program did not receive their accredidation until August 2009. I have not been contacted by the college, or have any information about sitting for the exam. Miami Jacobs is not the only school with problems.
By Eric Stratton
June 11, 2010 5:45 PM | Link to this
All this talk of “for profit” schools and the money the director may make, anuone have any comment on the alledged “public” schools like OSU and the fistfuls of cash those administrators get paid?
By Travis
June 11, 2010 9:24 PM | Link to this
miami jacobs is as worthless as any “college” can get. I was enrolled for nine months there and for the first month things were great, everyone seemed so great and caring but once your locked in its a joke. The staff is awful, the teachers were flat out ghetto, had one named mr. stone who did nothing but flirt with all the little ghetto girls whom attended. If you didnt have breast then he had no interest in speaking with you or helping when needed. Even with financial aid I now owe $15,000 for nine months of wasted time. would never reccommend.
By LPN-MJCC 2009 Graduate
June 11, 2010 9:39 PM | Link to this
MJCC fully informed me of the cost and the effort required to succeed. MJCC fully supported me through my journey to change my life. I graduated with honors in August of 2009. I have been working in the Dayton area as a LPN since October of 2009. Go get yours…I got mine.
By Jeremiah Wilson
June 11, 2010 11:13 PM | Link to this
As a recent graduate with honors of MJCC and as a graduate who attended last night’s ceremony with pride, i want to say to all that are bashing this school you get what you put into it, if you failed it was because you failed to try.I had a great experience with the school, my instructors, and the faculty and staff. As a recent graduate and a current student of MJCC I think the school it’s staff and the instructor’s are well trained and knowledgable. I look forward to what they can teach me.
By Violet Wilson
June 11, 2010 11:28 PM | Link to this
I am PROUD to say that I am a current GRADUATE of MJCC with honors, as well a an employee. I went on to recieve my CMA certification and I could not have done it without the excellent guidence of the staff and instructors! I am proud to be a CMA and a Lab Assistant for the Medical Assisting program. I worked and studied hard and that contributed to my success! Life is what you put into it, Jobs are not going to fall into your laps… you have to do a little footwork of your own. MJCC is not at fault for what the economy has done to our work force community! I think that MJCC has excellent staff and instructors, and Im so proud to be apart of it! So proud that I am returning to further my education in the medical field!
By KDB
June 11, 2010 11:38 PM | Link to this
The majority of students who attend career colleges would not attend college at all if such institutions did not exist. Education is expensive and students have the choice of receiving the intensive one-on-one attention they receive at MJCC or paying less with the responsibility of completely fending for themselves at some other institutions. MJCC graduated 450 students last night who were provided a key component…opportunity. As far as transferring credits, yes, credits do transfer. All of them? Probably not. However, not all credits from OSU transfer either. Does that make OSU a bad school? Perhaps that sacred cow should be left alone. After reading some of the comments on the board, I would remind all of us that an educated individual deals with issues, not personalities. Mrs. Waite cares deeply about MJCC, the students, faculty, and staff. She is an educator, business women, and professional, the community can be proud of.
By Student Loans
June 12, 2010 10:48 AM | Link to this
Hey Travis…9mths doesn’t add up to $15000 in student loans. It adds up to $9500 for 1st yr students at ALL universities (the max amount of student loans you can received from Title IV funding). Instead of hating on Mr. Stone, maybe you should have been in math class learning how to count!
By Transferred to Urbana
June 12, 2010 10:59 AM | Link to this
I would just like to say THANK YOU to MJCC. I graduated the other night (with honors) and I will be attending Urbana University, WHERE MY CREDITS TRANSFERRED, in a few months! People don’t believe the negative comments. Visit MJCC, do your own research, speak to people who don’t depend on others to hold their hand. MJCC gave me the tools and I decided to USE those tools. THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU!!!
By Max
June 13, 2010 12:49 PM | Link to this
Ms. Waite charges DDN with misrepresenting facts while she asserts 92% of MJ graduates are hired after graduation. But, upon closer examination what percentage actually graduate before running out of financing? If the drop out rate is, as many contend, greater than 50%, then it is Waite who is shaping her figures. ‘Job placement’ figures with MJ include part-time, temporary, and internships which ARE NOT differentiated in Ms. Waite’s figures. In no category, including placement, does MJ equal liberal arts schools; JC’s or 4-year. Before Ms. Waite proudly asserts MJ’s accrediting body as being ‘validated’ by the U.S. Department of Education, that same Department recognizes a G.E.D. which is acceptable for entrance requirements to liberal arts colleges. How many, Ms. Waite, of your classes will transfer for credit to any college or university? That places, in terms of transferable value, MJ as a dead end.
By so Dustin. . . .
June 13, 2010 12:49 PM | Link to this
So Dustin I am pretty sure pretty sure you didn’t start out making $25/hr and where is the Dayton Surgical Center? I called 411 and there is no “the Dayton Surgical Center” nice try MJCC employee.
By David Rankin
June 14, 2010 4:52 PM | Link to this
I’m compelled to respond to comments maligning Miami-Jacobs and other Ohio career colleges and schools. Career colleges are the best avenue for students with non-traditional backgrounds and working adults to earn a degree. On average, in the State of Ohio, career colleges graduate over 47% of students who enroll, whereas public colleges graduate only 17%. In contrast to taxpayer-subsidized public colleges, nearly 75% of career college graduates find jobs in their field within 90 days of graduation, according to the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges. Enrollment in career colleges and schools has grown 43% since 2002. That’s solid evidence that students are satisfied with the job opportunities that await them as career college graduates. R. David Rankin, Executive Director, Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools
By bachelors56
June 17, 2010 2:01 AM | Link to this
What a joke! MJCC only wants your money. Absolutely nothing will transfer unless your attending another substandard school. They paint a pretty picture and hope you’ll believe it. I aced every class I took, because I knew more than the instructors. According to people I’ve talked to, employers in Dayton hospitals are staying away from MJCC grads because they are not properly trained and the school is not respected. If you want a “Mickey Mouse” school with poor instructors and a useless piece of paper than this is the one for you.
By wtf
June 26, 2010 2:43 AM | Link to this
I would like to hear from the respiratory program graduates. Where are all the 92% graduates? Why don’t they stand up and help MJCC? Because they DON’T EXSIST! SHUT MJCC DOWN!
By bull
July 9, 2010 7:28 AM | Link to this
If all the students would default on their loans then MJCC would not receive government grants, etc. SHUT THE PLACE DOWN!!! THEY ARE SCAMMERS!!!!!
By smmjhb
July 20, 2010 1:44 PM | Link to this
Seriously, do people actually believe they will not have to pay those loans back? No one is promising a free education. If you are not ready to study, work and have debt then you should not jump into the college world, whether it’s for profit or not. MJCC has accredidation or it would not receive govt. funding.
By joke
July 23, 2010 2:20 AM | Link to this
im currently a student at mjcc. they assured me everything with my program was great. told me everything i needed to hear. once i signed on and started all of a sudden we were “conditionally approved” and im told we are still able to graduate and take the nclex. they NEVER told my class that before we signed on.. then they stopped accepting students for the nursing program. i cringe when people ask me where i go..but if my employer didnt reassure me i would have a job after i pass my boards i would have left awhile ago. this school only wants the money and the teachers are worthless. they dont care.. they only want a paycheck which is coming from my pocket!
By chris gray
July 27, 2010 10:44 PM | Link to this
Some of you people are idiots! Every college is in it for the money it’s a buisness. Some people that don’t get hired after graduating mjcc is probably because they have p**s poor attitudes and it shows. I am not worried for one second after I graduate from mjcc, because I know what I’m capable of and I’m working to do good in school not bitching about made up rumors. And Travis your a moron! Stone’s the man! And yes I’m a dude!