University of Antelope Valley

For-profit university in Lancaster, California, U.S.

Not to be confused with Antelope Valley College.

University of Antelope Valley

Former names

| Antelope Valley Medical College (1997–2009)
Type| Private for-profit
Established| 1997 (1997)
President| Tracy West
Students| 1,146
Undergraduates| 853
Location|

Lancaster

California

United States

34°41′01″N 118°08′07″W﻿ / ﻿34.6835°N 118.1353°W﻿ / 34.6835; -118.1353
Colors| Blue & Red

Nickname| Pioneers

Sporting affiliations

| NAIA – Cal Pac
Website| www.uav.edu

The University of Antelope Valley (UAV) is a private, for-profit university in Lancaster, California. It offers master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees as well as certificate programs and continuing education courses. The university had been accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, but it was placed on accreditation probation in 2023 for failing to meet several of the accreditor's standards following the university's 2022 purchase by Genius Group Limited, a Singaporean technology group.[1]

As of early 2024, the university was in a state of collapse.[2] After the accreditation probation, university president Tracy West took a leave of absence in December 2023 without explanation. That same month, the U.S. Department of Education announced increased oversight over its cash levels and federal regulatory compliance. On February 16, employees were told they would be paid only 25% of their normal salaries in cash, with the remainder paid in Genius Group stock. Facing eviction from its campus for nonpayment of rent, the university left its campus facilities on February 25, 2024 and switched to an online-only learning model.[3] It also announced the cancellation of its athletic programs, leaving its basketball teams trying to raise funds to attend national tournaments.[4]

## History[edit]

The school was founded as Antelope Valley Medical College in 1997 by retired Los Angeles City firefighter / paramedic Marco Johnson and his wife Sandra as a school teaching community CPR, first aid, EMT and other medical training.[5] In 2009 the school was accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and began granting associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees and became the University of Antelope Valley. In 2016 the University of Antelope Valley received its regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) (now the WASC Senior College and University Commission).

In 2022, the university was purchased by Genius Group Limited, a Singaporean technology group with plans to help the university grow. Those plans have not panned out, however, and in 2023 the WASC Senior College and University Commission placed the university on probation for failing to meet several of it standards related to "leadership, financial strength, enrollment, student success and communication".[6] At about the same time, the university's president stepped down and an entirely new board of trustees came into being. The institution has since begun paying employees primarily with stock options and is facing eviction from several of the buildings it uses for classrooms and residence halls.[7]

## Academics[edit]

UAV offers five associate degrees, eight bachelor's degree programs, and three master's degree programs. A variety of certificate programs are also available. UAV is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). It is also approved by California's Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).[8] UAV's Paramedic Program is only 1 of 4 programs approved in Los Angeles County.[9]

## Athletics[edit]

The Antelope Valley athletic teams were called the Pioneers. The university was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) since the 2015–16 academic year.[10] The Pioneers previously competed as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2004–05 (when the school began intercollegiate athletics and joined the NAIA) to 2014–15.

Antelope Valley competed in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, distance track and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, distance track, soccer, softball and volleyball.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Genius Group acquires California based University of Antelope Valley". Business Wire. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
2. ^ Coffey, Lauren (22 February 2024). "Turmoil Grows at Embattled California University". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
3. ^ Drake, Julie (22 February 2024). "UAV Lancaster campus closure near". Antelope Valley Press. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
4. ^ "Hoops coach fundraising to get teams to tourneys". ESPN.com. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
5. ^ "UAV History". University of Antelope Valley. Retrieved December 20, 2014.
6. ^ Coffey, Lauren (August 29, 2023). "California University on Probation After Tech Firm Acquisition". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
7. ^ Coffey, Lauren (February 22, 2024). "Turmoil Grows at Embattled California University". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
8. ^ "University of Antelope Valley - Accrediting Agencies, Approvals and Memberships". www.uav.edu.
9. ^ "LA County Emergency Medical Services Agency" (PDF).
10. ^ "Antelope Valley to Join the Cal Pac Conference in Fall 2015". California Pacific Conference. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015.

## External links[edit]

* Official website
* Official athletics website

* v
* t
* e

California Pacific Conference

Full members|

* University of Antelope Valley
* Benedictine University at Mesa (departing 2024)
* California State University Maritime Academy
* University of California, Merced (departing 2025)
* Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (departing 2024)
* La Sierra University
* Pacific Union College
* Park University Gilbert (departing 2024)
* Providence Christian College
* University of Saint Katherine (departing 2024)
* Simpson University
* Soka University of America
* Westcliff University

* v
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College sports teams based in California

NCAA Division I|

| FBS|

California
Fresno State
San Diego State
San Jose State
Stanford
UCLA
USC

|

FCS|

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Sacramento State
San Diego
UC Davis

Non-football|

Bakersfield
Cal Baptist
CSU Fullerton
CSU Northridge
Long Beach State
Loyola Marymount
Pacific
Pepperdine
Saint Mary's
San Francisco
Santa Clara
UC Irvine
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara

NCAA Division II|

Academy of Art
Azusa Pacific
Cal Poly Humboldt
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal State Dominguez Hills
Cal State East Bay
Cal State Los Angeles
Cal State Monterey Bay
Cal State San Bernardino
Cal State San Marcos
Cal State Stanislaus
Chico State
Concordia
Dominican
Holy Names
Fresno Pacific
Point Loma Nazarene
San Francisco State
Sonoma State

NCAA Division III|

California Lutheran
Caltech
Chapman
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
La Verne
Occidental
Pomona-Pitzer
Redlands
UC Santa Cruz
Whittier

NAIA|

Antelope Valley
Biola
Cal State San Marcos
Maritime
Hope
Jessup (NCAA Division II in 2024)
La Sierra
Life Pacific
Master's
Menlo (NCAA Division II in 2024)
Pacific Union
Saint Katherine
San Diego Christian
UC Merced (NCAA Division II in 2025)
Vanguard (NCAA Division II in 2024)
Westcliff
Westmont

CCCAA|

Alameda
Allan Hancock
American River
Antelope Valley
Bakersfield
Barstow

NCCAA Divisions I and II|

Bethesda
Providence Christian
West Coast Baptist
Westmont

USCAA|

Bristol
Providence Christian

Authority control databases |

* ISNI

|

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