Annual Report 2017-2018anagmendez.net/agmus-2017-18-annual-report/print/print... · 2019. 3. 13. · Annual Report 2017-2018. 71,(8%#2(1 Over the past 68 years, the Ana G. M ndez

Annual Report 2017-2018

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Because of the ravages of the storms, our community outreach efforts took on a new meaning this year.


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IndexIntroduction 6

Our Guiding Principles 7

Institutional Mission 8

Strategic Vision 2020 10

Message from the 11 Chairman of the Board of Directors

2017-2018 Board of Directors 13

Message from the President 14

Executive and Operations Vice Presidency 16

Our CoverOur Annual Report cover represents the puertorican spirit, which rises in the face of adversity and an uncertain future. We saw the light of hope in the horizon, and it became our North. AGMUS is a reflexion of this spirit, and today more than ever, we aim to rise to new levels of excellence.


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Financial Affairs 18

Planning and Academic Affairs 20

Marketing and Student Affairs 22

International Affairs 24

Human Resources 26

Universidad del Este 31

Universidad Metropolitana 35

Universidad del Turabo 39

Universidad Ana G. Méndez Online 43

Continental USA Campuses 46

Projections 48

Organizational Chart 49

General Information 50

Index


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IntroductionOver the past 68 years, the Ana G. Méndez University System has been renowned for offering quality programs and academic degrees that have transformed the lives of our students and graduates. This legacy of educational excellence and social responsibility towards the communities we serve has made us what we are today, and has helped us maintain our position as the leading private higher education institution in Puerto Rico.

Because of the current fiscal and economic situation facing all industries on the island, we have moved swiftly to minimize the impact of external factors that influence our operations.

The measures and strategies adopted by all our institutions and administrative units have worked well and, because of forward vision as an organization, we can proudly state that we are successfully confronting the challenges of today’s world.

Please feel free to examine herein the most significant achievements of our institutions over the past year. In each section, you will discover how Universidad del Turabo, Universidad del Este, Universidad Metropolitana, Universidad Ana G. Méndez Online, each of our Vice Presidencies, and our campuses on the Continental US are forging ahead and continue making history.


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Our Guiding PrinciplesThe following fundamental principles, on which the Ana G. Méndez University System was founded 68 years ago, serve as the backbone for a new vision that is being formulated to successfully take University System forward to the year 2020 and beyond.

• In a democratic society, every human being has the right to an education, regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, social status, physical or mental condition, religious, political or social belief.

• The development of human potential requires an open-door policy that allows students to benefit from academic programs to the full extent of their ability.

• All educational institutions should aspire to achieve academic excellence and should commit themselves to fostering such excellence through enlightened approaches to education.

• Academic institutions are integral components of the communities they serve.

• Faculty members must innovate for the benefit of their students and for their own professional growth.

• The real needs of Puerto Rico must be understood so that its human resources can be enriched and graduates can make a positive contribution to the progress of society in the work force.

• The educational development of the students should emphasize academic skill and growth that is productive in both daily living and employment.

• The fundamental commitment of the Ana G. Méndez University System promotes a better quality of life for our students, employees and the community at large.


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Institutional MissionThe Ana G. Méndez University System is a nonprofit higher-education organization whose primary mission is to promote the cultural, social and economic development of Puerto Rican society and sectors of the Hispanic community outside Puerto Rico, by expanding educational opportunities to benefit the communities it serves. The Institution operates and develops its educational mission through an integrated multi-institutional system, comprising the following units:

• Universidad del Este (UNE) • Universidad de Turabo (UT)• Universidad Metropolitana

(UMET)• Universidad Ana G. Méndez

Online (AGM Online)• Central Administration

Fulfillment of the educational mission of Ana G. Méndez University System is the main role and responsibility of the system’s institutional units----UNE, UT, UMET, and AGM Online.

On the part of the Central Administration, the role of its main structures and units is to advise, help and support institutional units in different specialized areas and ensure the proper development and implementation of systemic policies and processes.

To fulfill its mission, Ana G. Méndez University System will develop initiatives and projects within the framework of the following guidelines and general objectives:

1. Establish, develop, manage and supervise institutions and centers of post-secondary and higher education in Puerto Rico, the United States and abroad, that provide academic offerings at every educational level authorized by law, regulations and the corresponding licensing and accreditation entities.

2. Establish, carry out and evaluate teaching programs of the highest relevance and academic excellence, according to the needs and interests of the diverse sectors of the communities it serves.


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3. Set up, carry out and evaluate programs of continuing education and other non-traditional programs.

4. Establish and develop academic and scientific research programs, both undergraduate and graduate, aimed at creating knowledge as well as contributing solutions to Puerto Rico’s needs.

5. Develop a leadership role in public service and in the discussion, analysis and effective solution to the social, economic and environmental challenges facing Puerto Rico.

6. Promote constant innovation by applying the latest emerging technologies to all academic, student and administrative process.

7. Set up ancillary businesses related to academic operations, as well as unrelated business activities that contribute to the financial strength of the organization.

8. Develop and identify new sources of revenue and external funds to mobilize resources in support of its mission and educational goals.

9. Maintain a sound administration and a fiscally strong and responsible operation to ensure the permanence and development of the organization.

Our primary mission is to promote the cultural, social and economic development of Puerto Rican society and sectors of the Hispanic community outside Puerto Rico.


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By 2020, the Ana G. Méndez University System will be recognized as an institution of excellence in learning, research and in public service, with great social responsibility and growing global expansion. Ana G. Méndez University System will stand out for its decisive contribution to the economic and social development of Puerto Rico, providing innovative solutions to the developmental needs of the Island, and will be recognized as the leading institution serving the educational needs of Hispanic communities outside Puerto Rico, in the United States and other communities it serves.

Ana G. Méndez University System will be characterized as a transformative entity of constant innovation and sound financial strength, focused on the human being, and making effective use of its technological, physical and managerial resources in support of its mission.

The Ana G. Méndez University System and its institutions shall guide all of their operations, actions and administrative development

Strategic Vision 2020under strict compliance with the following values as a rule and parameter of its institutional conduct:

Excellence: as the maximum aspiration in all teaching, research and service endeavors.

Freedom: of thought and expression as an indispensable basis in the search and diffusion of knowledge.

Respect: for the diversity and dignity of human beings.

Equality: in recognizing the value of education as an instrument to provide better opportunities and to fully develop the potential of human beings.

Integrity: in all our dealings as an educational entity.

Innovation: a constant to guarantee the pertinence of programs and services.

Social Responsibility: regarding the needs of the community, the country and the humanity of which we are part.

...a transformative entity of constant innovation and sound financial strength...


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Message from the Chairman of the Board of DirectorsThe Year of Transformation

Mr. Ramiro Millán CatasúsChair

This year will be written in history books as one of the most transformational periods for both Ana G. Méndez University System and Puerto Rico. The devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria, plus the sluggish performance of the island’s economy, added to the fiscal woes of the government, among others, posed unprecedented challenges for all.

Facing this scenario, our administration rolled up its sleeves and got to work, to overcome and recover, not only from the aftermath of the storms, but also to reengineer all operations and strategies, building anew to transform Ana G. Méndez University System into a superior, more resilient, and stronger university, both financially and academically.

Our audited financial statements for fiscal year ending July 31, 2018 showed a net increase in assets of $3.7 million, mostly attributed to the strict financial controls and sound financial corrective measures and decisions put in place

throughout the year. This served to more than offset the decrease in enrollment income experienced.

On the academic end, the Board of Directors approved the honorary Doctorate degree bestowed upon Dr. Justo Méndez Aramburu for his exemplary professional career and leadership in the island’s education. Dr. Méndez Aramburu is the founder of Nuestra Escuela (Our School), an alternative educational model that has helped thousands of school dropouts, and students who were falling behind in their studies, to attain their academic goals. We also began a new 5-year commitment with the Arecibo Observatory, working on the educational offer of this world-renowned scientific center, in partnership with the University of Central Florida and Yang Enterprises, Inc. Additionally, we reached several agreements with universities in Spain and Colombia to continue expanding our international reach for students and professors at the masters and doctoral levels, as well as for English-language studies.


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We are pleased to inform that our board of directors welcomed this year Dr. Migdalia Torres Rivera as a new member. She retired after more than three decades of a professional career in Ana G. Méndez University System as a distinguished faculty member, administrative associate, staff member, and Chancellor of Universidad Ana G. Méndez Online.

Additionally, Universidad del Turabo welcomed Dr. David Méndez Pagán as its new interim chancellor, upon the retirement of former chancellor Dr. Dennis Alicea, who had led UT through 25 years of progress and expansion. Dr. Méndez Pagán is extremely qualified for the position, having served as a professor at UT and as Ana G. Méndez University System Vice-President of International Affairs, in addition to his extensive academic, cultural, artistic, and administrative experience.

As we move beyond the unprecedented mishaps of 2017, we continue to prepare Ana G. Méndez University System for a new phase to enhance its tradition of excellence, reorganizing academics and operations, with a long-term vision of progress, as the utmost challenge to solidify our position as the best private higher education institution in Puerto Rico and the region.

Our administration rolled up its sleeves and got to work, to overcome and recover, not only from the aftermath of the storms, but also to reengineer all operations and strategies...


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Board of Directors 2017-2018Finance Commission• Rafael A. Nadal Arcelay,

Commission Chair• Manuel Agosto García• Herminio Martínez Escudero • Wilfredo Cosme Ortiz• Delia Castillo de Colorado• Migdalia Torres Rivera

Academic and Student Affairs Commission• Félix Rodríguez Schmidt,

Commission Chair• Héctor A. Jiménez Ramírez• René A. Soto Torres• Rita DiMartino• Delia Castillo-Colorado• Migdalia Torres Rivera

Audit Commission• Manuel Agosto García,

Commission Chair• Héctor A. Jiménez Ramírez• Wilfredo Cosme Ortiz• Dr. René A. Soto Torres

• Ramiro Millán Catasús, Chair

• José F. Méndez Méndez, President

• Félix Rodríguez Schmidt, MD, FAAFP, CCHP, Vice Chair

• Héctor A. Jiménez Ramírez• Rafael A. Nadal Arcelay, Esq.• Manuel Agosto García• Herminio Martínez Escudero,

Ph.D.• Wilfredo Cosme Ortiz• René A. Soto Torres, DBA• Rita Dendariarena DiMartino• Delia Castillo de Colorado, Esq.• Migdalia Torres Rivera, Ph.D

Governance Commission• Herminio Martínez Escudero,

President• Rafael A. Nadal Arcelay• Félix D. Rodríguez Schmidt,• José F. Méndez Méndez• Ramiro Millán Catasús


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The havoc wrecked on our island by hurricanes Irma and María is well documented and will forever remain etched in our memories and our souls. The brunt force of the storms and the physical damage caused on an entire society already dealing with a decade-old economic recession, multi-billion dollar governmental deficits, and a dwindling population, sparked in all of us a spirit of resilience that has transformed our vision of the bright future ahead of us.

For Ana G. Méndez University System, that positive future is set on firm fiscal grounds. The $19M in storm-related damages to our buildings and facilities were covered 100% by our insurance companies, leaving our coffers intact to continue with our plans to expand and enhance our academic offer, as well as our physical plant. Our $70M endowment fund adds another level of financial stability, while controlling and reducing overall expenses has remained the focus of our Financial Affairs team. Additionally, given an inevitable environment of decreased enrollment in all schools, colleges,

and universities throughout Puerto Rico, we can confidently state that maintaining a stable enrollment of nearly 30,000 students this year has been an achievement that generated more than $65.1 million in revenues.

Meanwhile, demand for programs and courses continues to evolve, with ever more undergraduates looking for short-duration technical courses, as well as study programs geared towards nursing, business and entrepreneurship. More adult students are seeking post-graduate degrees, and an entire new mix of future professionals are discovering the advantages and flexibility that our on-line educational offer can deliver.

Our branch campuses in Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C. continue to relish the success of their dual-language programs, which attract many Hispanic students in those regions, but also entices bilingual individuals whose Spanish may not be so strong, or students seeking to improve their English skills while getting a degree.

Mr. José F. Méndez MéndezPresident

Message from the PresidentTransforming to Ensure a Brighter Future


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Beyond our shores, the alliances we have already established in Spanish-speaking countries -primarily Colombia, the Dominican Republic, México, Perú, and Spain- continue to open our doors to foreign students who clearly understand that they can earn a degree from Ana G. Méndez University System with the same accreditation as in the USA and at a highly competitive cost.

Because of the ravages of the storms, our community outreach efforts took on a new meaning this year. All our campuses were active participants in delivering water, food and other supplies to affected communities, as we collaborated with the mayors of the hardest-hit towns to establish partnerships and special cooperation initiatives to help people recover and rebuild. For our students, their campuses became the place to go to get a meal, basic supplies, connect to the Internet, charge computers and phones, and find support from classmates, faculty, and staff during those trying weeks.

After experiencing one of the most challenging years we have learned that the most taxing situations are the ones that truly inspire us to transform for the better and keep moving forward

They say that time and Mother Nature are the best teachers. And after experiencing one of the most challenging years on record for both Puerto Rico and Ana G. Méndez University System, we have learned that the most taxing situations are the ones that truly inspire us to transform for the better and keep moving forward.

Regardless of the obstacles we may face, our university remains steadfast to the commitment of educating the top professionals that will lead our society towards a brilliant future.


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The daily operation of a university system is a constant challenge, even under normal circumstances. Add the destruction wrought by two powerful hurricanes within a two-week period, and the task of operating an institution becomes almost untenable. Yet it must be done. We are proud to say that we managed to get Ana G. Méndez University System up and running in record time after the storms of September 2017.

The hurricanes’ adverse impact on Ana G. Méndez University System, and for that matter on Puerto Rico, cannot be overstated. The entire island suffered a complete collapse of the electrical system, communications were down, radio and TV stations remained inoperative for days, there were water and fuel shortages, roads and bridges were impassable or simply washed away, thousands of homes sustained severe damages or were completely destroyed, and only a handful of hospitals were providing services made possible only by provisional power generators. The situation was chaotic, to say the least.

At Ana G. Méndez University System, we managed to maintain servers and keep basic IT and communications systems running during the storm using our back-up generators. However, after just two days it became apparent that fueling the generators would become an issue. After setting up logistics to solve the fuel supply dilemma, we continued bringing all systems up, keeping them 94.1% operational through November 20, when we finally connected to the regular electric grid.

It is estimated that we suffered nearly $19 million in damages, all covered by our insurance companies. Five structures (1 at UMET, 1 at UNE, and 3 at UT) had to be demolished because of the severe damages they sustained, and we launched 207 reconstruction projects system-wide. Working diligently, Ana G. Méndez University System had 85% of its regular operation restored only 26 days after hurricane Maria, making us the first higher education institution on the island to announce the resumption of classes.

Executive Vice Presidency and VP of OperationsUp and Running in Record Time

Mr. Ricardo Rodríguez Domenech


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We ran a student satisfaction survey to measure the students’ sentiments regarding the administration’s handling of the aftermath of the storm, and 70% said they were satisfied with how quickly classes resumed, with the availability of faculty members, and with the attention that university faculty and staff paid to students throughout the emergency. Also, 80% expressed satisfaction with the cleanliness and safety of the campuses when classes restarted.

The main lesson learned from the hurricanes went beyond our resolve to restore and reopen our campuses. This experience gave us the opportunity to rebuild better than before, to create a more robust human and technical infrastructure, and to revise emergency preparedness and response procedures, ensuring that we are always ready to expect the worst while hoping for the best.

Another lesson learned in 2017-18 is that the operation must go on and that we must continue investing in improvements, generating savings, and identifying new sources of income. We have invested over $2.8 million this year in improvements and new equipment on our 3 main campuses, saved over one quarter of a million dollars in multi-annual contracts, installed new LED lighting and energy-efficient A/C units, and our auxiliary businesses generated $1.5 million at year end.

In all, we can reiterate that we are proud of the work done this year and even prouder of working relentlessly to make Ana G. Méndez University System one of the top higher learning institutions in Puerto Rico.

85% of our regular operation restored only 26 days, making us the first higher education institution on the island to announce the resumption of classes


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The 2017-18 fiscal year proved to be one of the most challenging on record for Ana G. Méndez University System. The impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, coupled with the economic downturn and the dwindling population in Puerto Rico, tested our resolve to remain strong and manage our finances with utmost precision.

Our audited financial statements (filed on time and without adjustments) for the end of FY 2017 reflect a positive change of $12.4 million, as compared to the previous year. Moreover, the audits show a Composite Score of 1.8 for Financial Responsibility, which allows us to maintain eligibility for economic assistance funding.

Cash flow management was key this year to cover all expenses related to hurricane damages, as well as covering all payroll and priority payments, including payments to suppliers. As of June 30, 2018, the aging of accounts payable showed a balance of $9.1 million, or $5 million less than the previous year. Additionally, we made budget adjustments in Salaries and Benefits,

Marketing, Professional Services, and Physical Plant Maintenance, all totaling $10.4 million. These savings allowed us to mitigate reductions in income.

Yet despite the reduction in expenses that we put in place, we identified the funds to strengthen student retention strategies on all our campuses. Also, the US Department of Education certified Universidad del Este’s eligibility to receive funding from economic assistance programs under Title V. Additionally, we will continue benefiting from the Year Round Pell program, which translated this year to an increase of $7 million for the Summer of 2018, as compared to 2017.

Technology has played an important role in our financial management goals this year. We developed a PCI-compliant web portal to receive payments online for non-student activities such as symposiums, workshops, and donations.

Mr. Ricardo Rodríguez Domenech

Vice Presidency of Financial AffairsSolid Finances in Challenging Times

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We are looking forward to continue working relentlessly to maintain AGMUS’ financial wellbeing and foster its academic excellence

We also modified our Cost Analysis per Program software to analyze more accurately the income and expenses associated with each academic program we offer. We look forward to continue working relentlessly to maintain Ana G. Méndez University System financial wellbeing and foster its academic excellence.

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While 2017-18 was not a typical year, either for Ana G. Méndez University System or Puerto Rico, due to the havoc created by hurricanes Irma and Maria, we can point to significant achievements that have had a positive impact on our students and on our entire university system. Our Institute of Public Safety (ISEP, in Spanish) made great strides this year to become the premier training center for first-responders and public safety officials in Puerto Rico. We have presented a proposal to create and manage the Centro de Capacitación y Desarrollo en Seguridad Pública (Public Safety Training and Development Center). This new facility will serve as the main training center for all personnel of the 7 public safety agencies housed under the Department of Public Safety. This proposal is currently in the second phase of evaluation. Additionally, we signed a contract with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to have Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez become the training academy for the new recruits of

the agency. Along the same lines, we are currently negotiating with the Puerto Rico Police to have our Associates Degrees accepted as equivalents to the education provided at the Police Academy for municipal officers.

Another significant achievement has been maintaining student retention rates steady, given the current economic and demographic trends on the island. After boosting our Systemic Commission on Student Retention with representatives of professors from all our institutions, and assigning funds for this purpose, retention rates have maintained over the 70% benchmark, with UT boasting the highest rate at 77.2%. Graduation rates have also been climbing steadily for four consecutive years (starting with the 2008 cohort) in our three main campuses, with UMET enjoying the highest level.

Jorge L. Crespo, Ph.D

Vice Presidency of Planning and Academic AffairsA Year of Achievements


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Regarding the Teachers Certification Exam (PCMAS, in Spanish), our students continue to pass with flying colors. Over the past three years, passing rates have increased from 82% (2013-14) to 94% (2016-17). This is the highest score ever for Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez and it is above the island-wide average. To better asses our performance and develop proper work plans, we launched a new interactive online platform that integrates all institutional units. This new instrument allows us to coordinate annual work plans and develop metrics, reports and indicators to ascertain the overall performance of our institutions. The platform will later integrate special tools to measure the individual performance of our associates.

We also worked to ensure the proper commercialization of our intellectual property. Through a five-year agreement, the Puerto Rico Science and Technology Trust will now manage all market studies and commercialization processes for all patents and innovation projects developed by our researchers. The outsourcing of these services will support the potential sale of the innovations created at Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez, without having to invest our own funds and resources.

To better assess our performance and develop proper work plans, we launched a new interactive online platform that integrates all institutional units

Teachers Certification Tests Results

60.0

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90.0

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2006 2008 2010 2014 2016 2017

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76.0

82.9

89.8 90.1

94.0

71.774.0

82.5

86.489.1

95.0

73.0

77.0

81.7 82.3 83.0

93.0

UMET Turabo Une

Additional savings of $4 million were also generated by revising the Capital Improvements Plan for 2018-19, thus allowing greater liquidity for other purposes, including critical maintenance projects and student services.

The 2017-18 academic year was indeed full of challenges, but we rose above them and worked diligently to accomplish our goals.


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The challenges we faced in 2017-18, including the ravages of one of the most devastating hurricanes in our history, served to create new opportunities to grow stronger, more resilient, and become a role model for our students and our community.

In the aftermath of the storm, our campuses became an oasis for students and members of the community. We resumed classes 26 days after María, making us the first higher education institution on the island to open its doors and re-establish operations. Students were able to regain a certain level of normalcy in their lives, having a place to gather, get basic supplies such as water and food, access the Internet, and charge their computers, phones and other devices. They also found in their campuses the moral support they needed in the first difficult weeks of the recovery.

For the community, we launched the Todo lo que puedo dar (All I Can Give) social media campaign to communicate everything that our institutions were doing to

help Puerto Rico and our students during the emergency.

At the forum Our Recovery is in Education: Solidarity in a New Vision of the Association of Private Colleges and Universities (ACUP, for its acronym in Spanish), we presented our Emergency Management and Business Recovery Plan. It served not only as a model for other institutions to follow in the future, but also positioned Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez as a leading institution on the subject. Likewise, we had the opportunity to present our relief initiatives related to the storm at the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.

We are convinced that our efforts this year have led to our current 97% student retention rate, making us the number one non-profit higher education institution on the island in terms of enrollment. And we can say the same for the head count projections being met by all our institutions, particularly Universidad del Turabo, which achieved 100% of enrollment and income projections.

Mayra Cruz Rivera, Ed.D

Vice Presidency of Marketing and Student AffairsTurning Challenges into Opportunities

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Our image campaigns this year included targeted positioning strategies for our Institute of Public Safety (ISEP, in Spanish), making presentations at several events where potential applicants could be attending, and even at the Puerto Rico Senate. These strategies also included a sports component to attract future student athletes and to position our sports programs as unique and well-rooted. This effort was highly evident during the celebration of the Intercollegiate Athletic League competitions (Justas de la LAI), where Universidad del Turabo won the men championship and the female team won the second place.

Additionally, to show our commitment to providing a quality education and the best college experience, we recognized the achievements of 160 outstanding students by awarding them the Medal of Honor from our PRHONOR program.

Our Vice Presidency also presented the first College Night that is celebrated on the island by a higher education institution. More than

700 parents and students from high schools attended the event, obtaining in one place all the information, guidance and tools necessary to start a university career.

We are proud of having turned the challenges we faced this year into an opportunity to deliver the best we have to offer and set an example for others to follow in the future. We strongly believe that now we have the tools and the ability to overcome any trial that we may face, coming back stronger and better than before.

Our campuses became an oasis for students and members of the community and we deliver the best we have to offer and set an example for others to follow in the future

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Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez Vice Presidency of International Affairs and the university’s International Committee had a busy year exploring possibilities of expansion, partnerships, and exchanges with countries abroad, focusing on Latin America.

Our proposal to open an office in Barranquilla, Colombia was approved, launching as such our first international project. The search for players in the higher education field and other human resources has begun, as we prepare to develop key partnership agreements with our Colombian counterparts.This year we also launched a new initiative to promote 50 of our academic programs through the Keystone Academic Solutions platform, which is the most successful tool used by top universities in the recruitment of international students. This effort is complemented by the partial scholarships we began offering to Ministries of Education in key partner countries that support our globalization goals.

These are just some of the results of continuous efforts to expand Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez international presence. These actions include analyzing recruitment, admission, and enrollment practices for international students. They also include participating in Lab 2.0 of the American Council on Education (ACE), allowing each of our institutions to reevaluate the 2014-17 Internationalization Plan and bring it up to current standards.

Aside from attending monthly luncheons with Puerto Rico’s Consular Bureau, our global outreach efforts this year also include holding Ambassadors’ Roundtable sessions in Washington, D.C. to present Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez at the embassies of México, Ecuador, Perú, the Dominican Republic, Panamá, and Colombia. Additionally, we participated in NAFSA Expo 2018 in Philadelphia, allowing Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez to establish new contacts throughout the world.

Vice Presidency of International AffairsExploring Beyond our Shores

Rafael Nadal Bosch, Ph. D


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It has been a year of unthinkable challenges, but also a highly productive one, and it has opened the door to myriad future opportunities. At Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez we will always be looking to make the most of these prospects to advance our mission of delivering a world-class education.

Our Vice Presidency are always exploring possibilities of expansion, partnerships, and exchanges with countries abroad


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Our main focus this year was the fiscal health of our institutions. How to reduce costs, generate savings, and still provide the quality services that our faculty and staff deserve, was the roadmap that guided our efforts.

To achieve our goals, we implemented a new Incentive Retirement Program in all our institutions. The projected savings for this initiative should total more than $6.5 million over the next two years. Additionally, we saved another $5.6 million through several strategies to reduce, eliminate or consolidate positions, and reorganization process. This included changing 20 position titles to align them with market needs, freezing 51 vacant positions, eliminating 145 positions no longer needed, reclassifying 33 positions and consolidating or reducing positions related to academics and students units.

The reorganization of our operations, however, did not interfere with Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez mission of delivering academic excellence. We recruited this year a total of 36 new faculty members (21 term, 12 multiannual, and 3 visiting professors), plus two research fellows. This is in addition to the 113 new employees recruited throughout the system, and the 15 new employees who will work at the Arecibo Observatory.

Additionally, we continued with our staff and faculty training process, offering more than 180 workshops, academies and computer-based trainings programs that emphasize continuous learning. A variety of training programs were offered including: how to develop effective proposals, management academies, retirement planning, how to file a hazard insurance claim, the Americans with Disabilities Act, conflict resolution policy and recruitment procedures and compliance, among many other subjects.

Victoria de Jesús de Jesús, Ed.D.

Vice Presidency of Human ResourcesA structured approach, aligning strategy with changing needs


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The benefits that our staff and faculty receive were also effectively managed this year. Aside from fully renewing our employee Health Plan, our Savings and Investment Plan benefit closed the year with over $30.6 million in assets. Likewise the asset balance for our Pension Plan stayed at more than $60.9 million, and our Deferred Compensation Plan remained solid with a balance of more than $1.4 million.

Moreover, in the aftermath of hurricane María, we conducted a survey of the losses suffered by our employees. We provided employee lunches for a period of time, and gave out vouchers for purchases and financial support, plus collected emergency provisions for the most in need. We also established tech centers facilities so that employees could file applications online for FEMA and SBA help.

As Puerto Rico moves forward towards a brighter future, the faculty and staff at Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez will continue delivering educational excellence and community support every step of the way.

We remain positive and with great enthusiasm to reach higher levels goals and dreams.

We continued our staff and faculty training process, offering more than 180 workshops, academies and computer-based trainings programs

Our Institutions


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After succeeding in a year like 2017, we can confidently say that UNE –and the whole Ana G. Méndez University System– is well-grounded and ready for the future.

On academics, we are proud to maintain the history of achievements that our School of Education continues to accomplish. A solid 94% of our graduates passed the Teachers Certification Tests (PCMAS, in Spanish) given by the Puerto Rico Department of Education, thus classifying UNE as an institution of excellence in the development of our island’s future teachers.

The same can be said for our Continuing Education programs, which have been certified in 10 new specialties, including: Nursing Administration, Autism, Applied Forensic Sciences, Cyber Crimes,

and Social Media Strategies, among others. Additionally, our Associate’s Degree in Engineering received the accreditation of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), while our Nursing programs were accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). In distance learning, we are poised to develop four programs that promise a worthy return on the efforts invested: Criminal Justice,

Mildred Huertas Solá, Ed.DChancellor

Universidad del Este (UNE)Building Excellence with More Accreditations, a Stable Enrollment, and Fiscal Stability


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Social Work, Nursing, and Pharmacy. What motivates us to continue developing current and relevant courses is that our students remain engaged with their study programs. In our main campus in Carolina, the full-time bachelor retention rate reached 72.5%, with this metric going as high as 82.1% for our Yauco center. Another promising measure of student interest in our academic offering is the positive conversion rate of students applying, admitted and enrolled

in all our programs. Out of 9,146 applications received, 5,660 have been admitted, representing a 62% conversion rate, or 7% above last year’s numbers.

Going forward, we are looking to improve on these metrics by joining the Common Application platform. This is a collaborative effort involving over 750 universities nationwide that allows high school seniors to apply to multiple universities at the same time. As

UNE will continue reinforcing its academic offering, thus attracting and retaining more students

of August 2018, UNE will become an option for over one million students throughout the United States who seek advice from the college counselors regarding the universities that would best fit their academic and professional future.

Financially, UNE has remained solid and continues to implement cost reductions and achieve additional savings that result in a healthier budget. Each of our offices made a voluntary budget review, which translated into $2,441,000 in savings over the previous year.

Additionally, we implemented a mandatory Request for Expenses system for all our units, delivering an operating budget that was $2,661,180 leaner than 2016.

UNE will continue reinforcing its academic offering, thus attracting and retaining more students, which will in turn make our institution not only more financially vigorous, but also a center of learning excellence for the working force that will lead our island in years to come.


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In spite of the impact of the aftermath of last year’s back-to-back hurricanes, UMET has stayed strong in the areas that make up the core of our institution: solid academic offerings and student services, growing research activities, and committed community outreach initiatives.

On the academic front, the Puerto Rico Education Council approved two new programs in business: a Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA), with a major in Human Resources Management, and a BBA with a major in Organizational Development. These programs will be offered at our main campus in Cupey and the university centers in Bayamón and Aguadilla. We also received approval to offer the Bachelor in Nursing at our university center in Jayuya. In addition, the Council is evaluating a Master in Education specializing in Montessori Curriculum Development and Teaching to be offered at Cupey in our accelerated (AHORA) program. In the coming year, we will be submitting an additional program to the Council for a new program in science: a

Bachelor in Science in Biomedicine for the Cupey Campus and the Aguadilla University Center.

To strengthen our faculty and graduate students’ research and publications output, we created a new unit, the Academic Unit for Research Development, (UnADI, for its acronym in Spanish) to offer specialized support and training for the research publication processes. This unit is led by Dr. Beatriz Zayas, who obtained approval this year – with her collaborator Dr. Osvaldo Cox – for another patent for cancer biomarkers. Already this new center has hosted university-wide trainings and an innovative online course developed by our faculty member from Spain, Dr. José Gómez Galán, to guide the faculty through the necessary steps to successful publications and broader dissemination of their research results.

Dr. Gómez Galán currently leads a center which is an international initiative of UMET and the University of Avila in Spain: The Research Center for International Cooperation in

Carlos M. Padín Bibiloni, Ph.DChancellor

Universidad Metropolitana


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Education Development (Centro de Investigación en Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo Educativo).

We are pleased to say that in several areas, the data points to continued advances in our students’ achievements. The approval rate for the Puerto Rico Teacher Certification Test, known as PCMAS, showed a 14-point increase for the 2016-2017 cohort, as compared to 2015-2016, resulting in a 93% approval rate. Our graduation rates have also been steadily increasing since the 2006 cohort, from 21.9% to 32.8% for the 2011 cohort. In addition, our student retention rate for the 2016 cohort remained steady at 69.5%, as compared to 69.3% for the previous year. These gains achieved this year, considering the

aftermath of two back-to-back hurricanes, are positive signs in our midst.

Additional salient points during this year are the initiatives which took care of our environment and our communities. The first is the project implemented on our Cupey Campus, which achieved the recognition as a USA Tree Campus of the Arbor Day Foundation. This unique project in Cupey brought together staff, faculty, and students from environmental sciences and computer sciences in the development of an app that will enable any member of the community to learn the science and history about any and all trees on the campus by simply using their phone and the tag on the tree. The second project is our new Volunteer Initiative, which brings

together faculty, staff, students and representatives from the community at large, in an effort to assist in need. The volunteers are organizing a Solidarity Store – to offer food, clothing and supplies for students in need – in additional to the creation of a corps of volunteers committed to creating communities prepared to respond to the new economic situation on the island. This initiative incorporates the model of service exchanges, in which students volunteer their time and expertise in exchange for the articles they need.

Most certainly, the current economic and demographic indicators in Puerto Rico point to many challenges, but we foresee for Puerto Rico economic stabilization and improvement, with a slight reversal of the population migration, in the coming years. As such, UMET will be ready to meet these opportunities with the necessary dedication to deliver the education our workforce will need to succeed.

UMET has stayed strong in the areas that make up the core of our institution: solid academic offerings and student services, growing research activities, and committed community outreach initiatives


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Despite the challenges faced during the past year, Universidad del Turabo (UT) stood its ground and continued to deliver academic services and opportunities. UT community demonstrated its commitment through its resilience and drive to move forth in its mission. During the academic year, the Institution submitted 28 new programs (13 at the main campus and 15 for our university centers) to the Puerto Rico Council on Education.

UT Schools have taken great strides to promote research by both its faculty and students in diverse local, regional, national, and international forums. Furthermore, the Institution incorporated entrepreneurial development for its students. The Schools developed new venues to obtain external resources for its faculty and students to obtain additional financial support. It is notable to mention that the Institution continues with its process to achieve specialized accreditations for its academic programs.

UT is convinced that the quality of its academic programs allows the institution to have a student retention rate of 72.6%, comfortably above the 70% benchmark established in the Institution’s strategic guidelines. For the Full-Time Bachelor metric, this rate holds high at 77.2%; while for the doctoral programs, retention increased from 87.8% (2016 cohort) to 93.3% (2017 cohort).

The institution is also reaping positive results in enrollment. For the 2018-01 term initiated in August, the current enrollment attained 100.4% of its projections, while new student enrollment increased by 13% over the previous year. Summer enrollment surpassed the established projections. UT also experienced an increase in applications and admissions. All of the prior are indicative of a myriad of recruitment activities such as: Open House; Turabo Expo; corporate visits; booths at expos and conventions; visits to private and public high schools, among others that have reached 21,610 prospects, consequently producing 12,884 applications, 8,265

David Méndez, Ph.DChancellor

Universidad del TuraboResilience, Retention, Commitment: Leading to Continuous Success


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admissions, and 2,304 enrollments. In addition, UT projected $6.5 million in external funds and achieved $9,638,861 during this year thus contributing to the institutions financial stability.

As UT moves past the first two decades of this century, it foresees a resilient Institution. It is strongly committed to delivering quality education thus serving the community and society as a whole.

UT Schools have taken great strides to promote research by both its faculty and students in diverse local, regional, national, and international forums


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Mr. Héctor Flores MuñozInterim Chancellor

AGM OnlineMore courses, higher enrollment, and a brighter future for distance learningThis has been a year of growth and progress for our online academic offer. From 75 courses offered in 2016-17, we jumped this year to 125, representing a 67% growth rate. Consequently, enrollment expanded to 468 students (from 267), as did enrollment income, surpassing our projections by more than $210,000 to reach $1,741,242. Additionally, income from continuing education courses exceeded $190,000 this year, and we disbursed over $2.3 million in student loans under Title IV and Title II-A.

This progress has been a direct result of our efforts to develop an academic offer targeted to today’s students. Twenty-nine (29) undergraduate courses were developed in Accounting, Business Management and Information Systems, and our special Academic Institute of Civic Education reached 60 foreign citizens from 8 different countries who wanted to pass the US Citizenship exam. Likewise, our specialized Conversational English course helped 180 participants improve their language skills. Similarly, our radio podcasts –

Salud 24/7 and Negocio Under Construction–, transmitted through the university’s UAGM Radio station are reaching new audiences and increasing our presence amongst students and the general community.

AGM Online’s presence has also been increasing in diverse regional and national forums. These include the eLearning 2018 Conference, the US Distance Learning Association 2018 National Conference and the Virtual Educa Gran Caribe conference, where our Interim Deputy Chancellor, Professor Gisselle Tapia, presented our strategies related to the implementation of an E-Mentoring program for faculty.

And to close the year on a highly positive note, we earned the accreditation of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET); the Florida Department of Education renewed our license; and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accepted our progress report related to their accreditation.


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We foresee AGM Online growing exponentially in the future, as distance learning becomes ever more prevalent and practical for the college student of the 21st century.

This progress has been a direct result of our efforts to develop an academic offer targeted to today’s students.


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Our academic programs in Dallas, Maryland, Tampa, Orlando, and South Florida continue to lead in the dual-language education market, attracting not only young students, but also seasoned professionals seeking to benefit from the advantages that only a bilingual education can afford.

This year we implemented four new academic offerings, including a Masters in Forensic Sciences and in Digital Journalism, as well as both a Bachelors and a Masters in Social Work. Additionally, we revised the curriculum for our MBA program and for our Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Also, we developed new curricula for our Executive MBA, our Health Management, and our Counseling Masters programs.

In order to insure improved student services, our Vice Presidency of National Affairs have restructured our entire recruitment, enrollment and student services functions to create Student Success Centers at each one of our Branch Campuses in the mainland.

Through these Centers, Student Success Counselors will provide personalized, integrated and comprehensive service to all students: from the moment they first contact our campus to the moment they graduate.

As we continue perfecting our courses and programs, we work to solidify our branding as a national leader in dual language education. We have followed an effective strategy of strengthening our ties with the communities we serve, using our campuses as centers that deliver more than a quality education.

Mr. Luis J. Zayas-Seijo

Continental USA CampusesLeading the Dual Language Education Market in the Mainland


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Our academic programs continue to lead in the dual-language education market, attracting not only young students, but also seasoned professionals seeking to benefit from the advantages that only a bilingual education can afford

We have partnered, for example, with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, to help our communities in emergency management planning efforts. The City of Miami Lakes has also become a close ally, joining us in the inauguration of our new South Florida Campus and in our relief drive for hurricane Maria victims.

Additionally, we have established a close relationship with the Mexican Consulate, through which we offer scholarships to our students of Mexican origin.

It has been a year of significant and positive changes that will certainly set us on a course of growth and continued leadership in bilingual learning.


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Projections 2018 - 19 Finish all authorization processes with all the accreditation and licensing agencies for the new name and identity of the institution.

Launch the dissemination, communications, and public projection processes of the new image and identity of the institution for students, faculty, associates, and the general public, all within the context of the 70th Anniversary celebration of the founding of the university (1949-2019).

Ensure the continuity of the academic, student-related, administrative, and fiscal integration processes associated to the fusion of the university.

Launch and strengthen the new phase of our internationalization plans with the opening of an office branch in Barranquilla, Colombia, initially offering on-line programs.

Implement an aggressive and systemic strategy to expand our offer of on-line programs, aiming to significantly increase student enrollment in this market segment.

Get the approval of and begin operating the Public-Private Partnerships presented to the Government of Puerto Rico to train the personnel of Public Safety agencies.

Restructure, strengthen, and increase net revenues generated by the Continuous Education component by integrating it to the School of Professional Studies, and giving it more logistical support so it can provide a better academic offer to the corporate sector and regulated professions.

Continue supporting and strengthening the Active Student Retention component, as we face challenges in the New Students segment due to demographic and market conditions after Hurricane María.


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Sistema Universitario

Ana G. Méndez

Board ofDirectors

InternalAuditor

LegalAdvisor

Universidaddel Turabo

UniversidadMetropolitana

UniversidadAna G. Méndez

Online

Universidaddel Este

FinancialAffairs

InternationalAffairs

Planningand Academic

Affairs

Executiveand OperationsVice President

Marketingand Student

Affairs

NationalAffairs

HumanResources

PresidentOrganizational Chart


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Universidad del TuraboPhone: (787) 743-7979E-mail: [email protected]

Off-campus centers in Barceloneta, Cayey, Isabela, Ponce and Yabucoa

Universidad MetropolitanaPhone: (787) 766-1717E-mail: [email protected]

Off-campus centers in Aguadilla, Bayamón, Comerío and Jayuya

Universidad del EstePhone: (787) 257-7373E-mail: [email protected]

Off-campus centers in Cabo Rojo, Yauco, Barceloneta and Santa Isabel

Universidad Ana G. Méndez Online Phone: (787) 288-1118E-mail: [email protected] Metro Orlando CampusPhone: 407-207-3363E-mail: [email protected]

South Florida CampusPhone: 954-885-5595E-mail: [email protected]

Tampa Bay CampusPhone: 813-932-7500E-mail: [email protected]

Capital Area CampusPhone: 301-949-2224E-mail: [email protected]

Dallas Area CampusPhone: 469-341-7300E-mail: [email protected]

General InformationThe Institutions:

Central AdministrationSistema Universitario Ana G. MéndezP.O. Box 21345, San Juan, P.R. 00928-1345

Phone: (787) 751-0178E-mail: [email protected]: www.suagm.edu


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General Direction: Mayra Cruz Rivera, Ed.D.Vice President of Marketing and Student Affairs

Production: María A. MartínezAssociate Vice President of Public Relations

Rafael MatosPublic Relations Director

Editorial:Charles Toledo

Design: DDA Group, Inc.

Photos: AGMUS Archives, FreeImages.com, Pexels.com

This Annual Report refers to the period from August 2017 to July 2018.

Copyright (c) 2018 Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez. All rights reserved.No part of this document may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission in writing of the Ana G. Méndez University System.

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Annual Report 2017-2018anagmendez.net/agmus-2017-18-annual-report/print/print... · 2019. 3. 13. · Annual Report 2017-2018. 71*,(8%#*2(1 Over the past 68 years, the Ana G. M ndez

Annual Report 2017-2018anagmendez.net/agmus-2017-18-annual-report/print/print... · 2019. 3. 13. · Annual Report 2017-2018. 71,(8%#2(1 Over the past 68 years, the Ana G. M ndez