(Richardson, TX) - On Monday, August 27th, DeVry University won approval before the city council to open a center in the Telecom Corridor area, just west of Central Expressway and north of Campbell Road. Pending other government approvals, DeVry plans to move its Plano campus to Richardson with hopes to expand as the program grows. They intend to start classes in Richardson starting in January 2008.

According to DeVry University, “DeVry University provides rigorous, career-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs in technology, business and management. Students access these programs through a North American system of more than 80 locations.” DeVry University was started in 1931 by Dr. Herman DeVry to offer training in electronics. DeVry currently offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a number of technical fields at approximately 80 locations and online.

It might come as no surprise that the strengths of Richardson’s technological business community are what attracted DeVry to Richardson.

"DeVry’s presence in Richardson brings yet another leading higher education institution into our thriving business community,” said Dave Anderson, who is vice chair of economic development for the Richardson Chamber of Commerce,  “The Keller Graduate School’s emphasis on cultivating professional management skills will feed into the Telecom Corridor’s many opportunities for professional leadership, and the school's training will further deepen the talented workforce that Richardson offers.  Ultimately, this is further evidence that Richardson truly offers synergistic opportunities for leading companies who require highly skilled workers and managers."

“We want to increase our sense of visibility in the tech corridor and the Telecom Corridor,” stated Kevin LaMountain, President of Devry’s Dallas area operations, “We want to build better relationships with our partners in the area.”

According to DeVry, 92% of its system wide 2006 graduates were employed within their fields within six months at an average salary of $41,000.

“The Dallas area probably has a higher rate,” said Dan Dement, DeVry’s Western Region Public Relations Manager. As far as we can ascertain, Mr. Dement is correct. According to figures we obtained from DeVry, 94% of Dallas area graduates were employed in their fields within six months.

Their new facility will start out at just under 10000 square feet with an administration area, lecture rooms, a technology lab and an academic support center which Mr. LaMountain describes as being akin to a technological tutoring center.

They will offer graduate and undergraduate programs. Their undergraduate programs will include Bachelor’s degrees in business administration and technical management. Their graduate program will offer a Master’s degree in business administration (or MBA) from the Devry’s Keller Graduate School of Management. They will have day and night classes that are flexible for working students.

It is not just the technology of the Telecom Corridor that attracted DeVry to Richardson. Richardson’s transit advantages also contributed to DeVry’s descision highlighting once again Richardson’s advantages in transit.

“Our new facility is located on major public transportation corridors,” LaMountain stated, “With DART Rail, the public bus schedules, Central Expressway, we can expand to reach more potential students.”

If successful in Richardson, DeVry might expand in both size and programs.

“With this new facility we have the ability to expand our programs,” Mr LaMountain said, “As we grow the programs will grow. The facilities management team is great. They are excited to have us.”

DeVry hopes to start classes in January 2008. Potential students interested in enrolling can reach them at their current DeVry University Plano Center admissions office at (972) 943-8041 and through their website at http://www.devry.edu.