Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University was founded in 1993 by Robert G. Mayes Sr. The university developed its first degree programs in Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health in 1994. By 1996 additional degree programs were developed and offered: The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, followed by Computer Science, Criminal Justice Administration, and Health Administration. ==Academics==

Columbia Southern University consists of six colleges offering a total of 66 degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels, as well as 29 certificate programs online. CSU also offers nine doctoral programs. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctorate degrees, and certificates. Columbia Southern has more than 1,000 full-time faculty and staff. It enrolls and graduates thousands of students annually. The university is one of approximately 140 schools approved to offer tuition assistance through the U.S. Army's centralized tuition assistance portal, GoArmyEd. ==Student outcomes==

Columbia Southern's 8-year graduation rate is 49 percent. Median salary after completing ranges from $32,000 to $70,000. ==Notable alumni==

• Steve Bashore (M.B.A., 2019), American politician • Chad Bianco (B.S., 2015), American law enforcement officer and politician • William Bruck (M.B.A., 2014), American politician • Howard R. Elliott (M.S., 2011), American government official • Kenneth Gittens (B.S., 2008, M.S., 2011), U.S. Virgin Islands politician • Rob Harris (A.S., 2019), American politician • Earl Jaques Jr. (B.S., 1998), American politician • Brian Lawson (A.S., 2022), American politician and businessman • Mike Loychik (B.A.Sc.), American politician • Steven Nordhaus (M.S. 2013), U.S. Air Force general • Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (M.S., 2012), American politician • Jason Saine (B.S., 2012), American politician • Tony L. Whitehead (B.S., 2020), retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant ==References==