Current Issue - Thunderbird Magazine - Thunderbird School of ...

special report
Planned partnership Q&A
Q
A
Q
A
Did Thunderbird consider other partners
besides Laureate?
Yes. Thunderbird looked closely at four potential
partners.
Will Thunderbird be swallowed in a merger
or acquisition?
No. The planned partnership is not a merger or
acquisition. Thunderbird will retain its independence
and distinctive identity.
Q What is the nature of the planned partnership?
A
The partnership includes two components. The fi rst
will preserve Thunderbird’s status as an independent
not-for-profi t 501(c)3 organization. Thunderbird will
retain academic control of its operations, and the Board
of Trustees will continue to provide governance. Laureate
will provide a cash infusion that will allow the 501(c)3 to
become debt free. The second component will involve a
commercial joint venture equally owned by Thunderbird
and Laureate. Academic control of programs, admissions,
etc. via the joint venture will remain with Thunderbird, the
not-for-profi t (501(c)3). The joint venture is planned to
include access to multiple international campuses, the
development of additional online programs, the expansion
of Executive Education programs, and the return to
undergraduate degree programs.
(FROM PAGE 5)
Q What will happen to Thunderbird’s accreditation?
A
Accreditation will not be affected because Thunderbird
will retain academic control. As appropriate,
Thunderbird will follow its normal processes of
bringing specifi c initiatives to accreditors for approval.
Q What’s in it for Thunderbird?
A
The planned partnership will enable Thunderbird to
grow its brand and increase enrollment, creating
economies of scale. The size of the faculty will likewise
grow, allowing Thunderbird to add new specialty areas
of study. Students also will benefi t from new study abroad
and job placement opportunities. Ultimately, Thunderbird
rankings will improve.
Q
A
How will Thunderbird prevent the dilution of
its brand?
As an elite specialized institution, Thunderbird will
maintain rigorous admissions standards. Successful
applicants will continue to be students with a global mindset
who are keenly interested in international business and
global opportunities. Rather than being diluted, the brand
will be enhanced by the capacity that Thunderbird gains.
Laureate’s presence in 29 countries will help Thunderbird
maintain international diversity among its study body.
Thunderbird Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees Ann Iverson, Laureate Chairman and CEO Douglas L. Becker, and Thunderbird President Larry
Edward Penley announce plans for a new partnership on March 18, 2013, at Thunderbird.
TIM CLARKE
6 spring 2013