Mission & Objectives

International American University’s (IAU) mission is to provide a positive learning and social environment where students, faculty, staff, and alumni can come together to build a campus community of collaboration, prepare students professionally, and promote ethical business practices according to Christian principles.

IAU has a goal to be a vibrant Christian university that is committed to distinctively Christian beliefs, values and practices in accord with its mission and objectives. While the university is clear about its identity as a Christian university and its foundational convictions, IAU is intentionally committed to living out the faith and providing an example of Christian values and morality. IAU is strongly committed to guiding our students to become socially responsible, compassionate leaders by making an enduring impact on their communities.

IAU is an interdenominational university and embraces students of all faiths or no faith. The hope is to introduce Christian life and principles to those seeking a religious identity.

IAU plans to expand the student population to include more US-based students. IAU is currently approved and recognized by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans (CSAAVE). Additionally, IAU has applied for Title IV Financial Aid with the U.S. Department of Education as a means to attract domestic students.  Additionally, IAU will establish Business-to-business (B2B) educational partnerships with local businesses and organizations to deliver its affordable, flexible, quality academic programs. 

IAU plans to expand its international activity as a means to recruit and enroll more foreign students. IAU is conducting outreach to foreign locations to enroll foreign students for IAUonline. IAU will also be looking at signing articulation agreements with foreign universities. Lastly, IAU plans to expand by adding international satellite campuses to attract foreign students in their home country to remove the barrier of visas.

Post-COVID, IAU has recovered 90% of its former student population. With 10-15% anticipated growth for the next 5 years, IAU must prepare accordingly. IAU will create new positions and hire more administrative employees to support the projected student population, particularly student workers. IAU will reimagine its current floorplan to add more administrative desks to accommodate the growing workforce. IAU plans to expand its current facility to handle the projected capacity. IAU will expand its leased space in Los Angeles to add an additional sq. ft. to allow for more classrooms and administrative offices.

IAU’s attempt to attract other students outside of southern California encourages IAU to explore other markets. Domestically, IAU plans to expand by adding  satellite campuses in California and other states.  The challenge will be to familiarize with other state laws to seek approval and to maintain compliance. 

As mentioned previously, IAU plans to expand by adding international satellite campuses to attract foreign students in their home country to remove the barrier of visas. The target regions are the far east where the need and demand for affordable, quality American degrees is high. Working with strategic partners, the challenge will be to seek the approval of the various ministries of education in the foreign countries, localizing the IAU programs without sacrificing quality, and offering a tuition rate that is competitive to local markets, while trying to operate financially responsibly. 

In late 2023, the first international satellite campus was established in Kathmandu, Nepal. In early 2024, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia followed. More  international satellite campuses will be added over the next few years.

IAU plans to offer more STEM degree programs. STEM degree programs, with their specialized areas of study, provide graduates with more employment opportunities, but specifically for F-1 students, they benefit from STEM OPT Extension. 

An area of high demand for jobs is in technology. IAU will organize and develop technology programs focusing on computer technology and its many disciplines, such as management information systems, information technology, networking/cybersecurity, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML).

Traditionally, IAU has been a degree-granting institution of higher education (IHE). But, IAU will organize and develop short course programs at all levels (associate through doctoral). Not all learners are looking for degrees, but short technical training. These short technical programs will allow learners to learn skills, advance in their careers, but also provide the option to complete a degree at the same level.

IAU is currently hiring new faculty in response to our expansion. IAU is very selective and looks for potential faculty with both academic and professional qualifications. All new faculty must go through orientation and training, including distance education requirements. IAU’s improved practices are also providing a cadre of scholars who, regardless of discipline, are committed to issues of a Christian worldview, Christian ethics, diversity and equity, and in creating a climate of inclusion. The current plan is to expand the University’s full-time faculty pool.

IAU is dedicated to providing extensive academic, professional, and career advising for students in the area of Student Services. IAU is committed to an advising system that recognizes the individuality of each student and provides the critical support, guidance, and opportunities a student needs to thrive.  

IAU has reorganized current offices and established new offices to provide better quality and specialized services. The new or reorganized current offices are Media and Events (MAE) Career and Alumni Services (CSV), International Student Services (ISS) 

The future is very promising for IAU. IAU’s student population is moving back to pre-COVID levels. There have been significant high-quality faculty hires over the last six months. IAU has answered student and public demand with various new programs. IAU remains on solid financial grounds and revenues will ostensibly increase over the coming year. 

IAU’s new satellite campuses in Irvine and San Diego are positive steps in our growth projections. Other potential expansion locales are in the offing. IAU predicts significant growth in foreign markets.