Bryant & Stratton College Graduates 2,984 Students in 160th Anniversary Year

BUFFALO, NY (Aug. 19, 2014) – Bryant & Stratton College announced a college-wide annual graduation total of 2,984 students for the period July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014, as it celebrates its 160th anniversary of providing career-focused education. Bryant & Stratton College has graduated more than 28,000 students since 2000, reflecting the strength of its academic programs and the motivation of its students.

“Our students come from many different backgrounds, but they all share a desire to succeed,” said Cindy Susienka, President and CEO of Bryant & Stratton College. “Earning a college degree is one of the most important ways that individuals can prepare themselves for success in their careers and in their lives.

“As they enter the workforce, these graduates have a significant, positive impact on the local economy,” added Susienka. “The investment in their education is also an investment in the future of their communities. I’d like to congratulate each of our graduates for their achievement and their commitment.”

Today, demand for post-secondary education in jobs has never been higher. It is estimated that by 2025 there will be a gap of more than 20 million unfilled jobs due to the lack of post-secondary degrees.

To meet the demand, Bryant & Stratton College is developing innovative approaches to education that will foster greater student satisfaction and ensure that students have the skills to be successful in a technologically savvy workplace. This includes academic programs in which traditional classroom time is being supplemented with online learning activities.

“The purpose of integrating digital learning into the classroom is to better meet the needs of individual students and offer more personalized instruction,” said Susienka. “The traditional ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to education is no longer valid in today’s dynamic market. We are planning to introduce new technology that helps students learn at their own pace by adapting to the student’s knowledge level and tailoring future lessons to match the student’s progress.”

Susienka said that blending online learning with classroom study takes advantage of the best features of both by reinforcing, complementing, and elaborating on one another. “A blended approach to education enables students to participate fully in the learning process on-campus as well as remotely. They are able to learn and study in a fashion that is consistent with today’s workplace,” she added.

Innovation has been the key to the 160-year longevity of Bryant & Stratton College. “The founders of Bryant & Stratton College developed an educational approach that was unique for its time,” said Susienka. “When Bryant & Stratton National Business College was founded in 1854, most people entering the business world had to rely on scarce apprenticeships. The idea of teaching business skills in classrooms and business labs was an innovation that helped build the foundation of American business.

“For 160 years, the primary focus of the College has been to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities that employers want so our graduates can enter the workforce with the competitive advantage of proven performance in their field,” added Susienka. “Although our teaching methods have changed over time, that basic philosophy has not.”