Today we’d like to introduce you to Stan DeKoven.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Our program, Vision International College, traces its history to 1974 in Tasmania, Australia, originally called Launceston School of Theology, coming to the US in the early 1980’s. I began teaching counseling courses and other practical theology with Dr. Ken Chant, eventually taking over the program, getting degree-granting, and giving leadership to what is now college programs in over 140 nations with thousands of students (mostly free or low fee) worldwide.
Our program consists of originally developed course material that can be taken online and off, and also in what we call Resource Centers, usually local churches or community centers where students gather, teachers teach our curriculum under our specific guidelines, and students can earn certificates, diploma’s and degrees in theology, Counseling, Leadership or Christian Education.
We provide our curriculum internationally in what we call the Bible College in A Box, which began as a Xerox box full of books, teaching notes, study guides, and an administrative manual that teaches how to start a college int eh community. We would mail this to a nation, to a specific leader we had developed relationship with. Now we provide the entire program, and hundreds of library resources on an external drive shaped like a Key…. the Key to unlock educational opportunities in a nation.
We have recently purchased a new headquarters building in Ramona (530 11th St) and will be conducting local programs as well as facilitating distance education around the world… all from little old Ramona. We are accredited out of Australia, and will soon begin focusing on US accreditation for our Graduate programs.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been smooth… but joyful… mostly. Our biggest challenges have been:
1. Our model is not highly accepted… church-based training… making accreditation difficult.
2. Financially, we are always on the edge..as we are primarily faith based, and we stratify our tuition to the economy of the people we serve. For example, we provide a 95% scholarship to most of Africa and South East Asia, meaning we charge about $11 per course, and we (Vision USA) receive about $1.00 from the tuition and fees… and the course includes books. Most of the money stays in the nations, thus the programs become self-sufficient and sustainable.
3. The recession of 2007 hurt all of us…and we are just now fully recovering.
4. I started Vision in 1989 with my beautiful bride of my youth and mother of my children, Karen, who passed away in 2000. That was most difficult, as she was more than just a wife and mother, but a true partner… We have survived and even thrived, for which I am most grateful
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vision International Education Services and Vision International Training and Education Network – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As mentioned previously, we are an educational ministry, primarily targeting the independent church community, and nations that have little or no opportunity for advanced education in practical theology. We are known for high-quality low-cost education, resources for equipping and training men and women for service in community and church. We are unique in that we are church-based, curriculum-driven, practical and affordable higher education.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Without a doubt, we have done everything pretty much backward. Rather than developing a strong central campus, with classrooms, library and a football team, we started by reaching out to nations, working very non traditionally.
We just purchased our first building as a headquarters and training center for Ramona. We are hoping to develop a training center, counseling outreach, and event center for the Ramona Valley, and also expand our ability to host leadership conferences connected to our worldwide network.
We also work with the recovery community, especially Restoration Ranch in Ramona, and anticipate putting quite a bit of time and effort into this local outreach, without neglecting our international reach.
Pricing:
- Our tuition is low for US students, $100 per credit for undergraduate, $150 for graduate
- We have published over 150 books, most of which are under $20.00
- We try to get sponsors for our Bible College in a Box…. and the average sponsor is $395 to start a college in a two-thirds world nation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vision.edu; www.drstandekoven.com; www.booksbyvision.org
- Phone: 7607894700
- Email: [email protected]
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
