AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEMA 21st Century University in an 18th Century Town

Dr. John HoughVice President, Community College Relations & Outreach

jhough@apus.edu

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Envision Jefferson 2035 Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Session

American Military University:• Founded by James Etter in 1991• Focus on providing quality

higher education opportunities to the nation’s armed forces

American Public University:• Founded in 2002• Focus on providing quality

higher education opportunities to public service sector employees and other civilians

American Public University System:

• 110,000+ students studying online in all 50 states and more than 100 countries

• More than 80 degree programs from associate’s to master’s

AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM – A 21ST CENTURY UNIVERSITY

2003: APUS moves its headquarters to Charles Town, West Virginia.

The university purchases the building located at 111 W. Congress Street and undertakes renovations.

2006: Due to increased student growth, the APUS staff continues to grow. APUS purchases the building at 120 S. George

Street and undertakes renovations, maintaining many original features of the building while improving specific

elements to provide greater energy efficiency.

2007: APUS purchases the building at 661 S. George Street and undertakes renovations. The university renovated the

building with LEED standards in mind and it now houses the school’s IT department.

MAKING CHARLES TOWN OUR PHYSICAL HOME

2009: With continued student and employee growth, the school purchases several additional buildings in the downtown Charles Town area including the structures located at 216 S. George Street and 203 S. George Street.

CONTINUING TO GROW AND EXPANDACADEMIC CENTER (45,000 ft2) (Opened November 2010)

• 99 solar panels provide approximately 5-7% of energy• Double-paned, energy efficient windows throughout• All materials obtained within 500 miles of building site• Low VOC finishes, paints, etc• Native landscaping• Highly efficient HVAC system• ENERGY STAR appliances throughout• Motion/heat sensor lighting throughout• Built on EPA-certified Brownfields site• ACHIEVED LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION DECEMBER 2012

FINANCE CENTER (105,000 ft2) (Opened October 2012)

• Highly efficient HVAC system• Materials from recycled sources• Very high SRI on roof to avoid “heat • island” affect• Seeking LEED Gold Certification

GOOD USE OF RESOURCES – SOLAR POWER• 1660 solar panels = 40-50% of Finance

Center’s energy needs• Approximately 480,000 kWh of energy

annually = enough energy to power 30 average sized American homes for a year

• Offset approximately 350 tons of carbon annually

• Largest solar array in the state• 15 universal electric car charging stations

A TRUE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSAPUS occupies 11 buildings in Charles Town.

GOING FORWARD

Old ABC building will be converted to inside parking and maintenance office space.

People’s Supply site: goal is to have a building constructed by Q1 2015.

SUPPORTING CHARLES TOWN AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment recognized APUS for its green building practices, innovative online platform, and use of solar energy in Charles Town in its 2012 publication, “Celebrating Five Years of Climate Leadership.”

The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia recognized APUS for its historic preservation efforts at the organization’s annual conference in Harpers Ferry in September 2012.

APUS is a finalist for the 2013 Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards for its use of solar energy and green building practices in Charles Town.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART ISAPUS HAS CREATED STRONG COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS.

Support of the local community includes monetary donations, employee volunteerism, and gift-in-kind.

• More than $300,000 donated to various Jefferson County Public Schools and charitable organizations

• Equipment donations (gift-in-kind) to local public schools and charitable organizations.

• APUS supports the PASS mentoring program and many APUS employees serve as mentors for local students.

• APUS employees were the top fundraising team for the Jefferson County Relay for Life in 2012.

• The APUS Sustainability Committee has assisted local schools with beautification projects and worked with the City of Charles Town on a Community Clean Up Day in 2010.

APUS SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY WITH LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

557 Total number of APUS employees working in Charles Town as of January 2013

202 Number of Jefferson County residents working for APUS in Charles Town as of January 2013

81 Number of people hired in 2012 alone to work in the Charles Town offices

45 Number of open positions currently available in the Charles Town offices

ALL OF THESE PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE TO THE

ECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND GROWTH

OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY!!

WE ARE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY!

Thank you!

Questions?