In 1977, Arthur Keiser and his mother, Evelyn, created a career college called the Keiser School in Fort Lauderdale to prepare students for jobs in Florida's growing business and healthcare communities.[10] In 1982, with the addition of paralegal and computer programs, the school changed its name to the Keiser Institute of Technology. In 1986, the school began to award associate degrees and became Keiser College. In 2001, Keiser created its first bachelor's degree programs. Five years later, in 2006, the school made its final name change and became Keiser University.[11]
In 2010, the Florida Attorney General began to investigate Keiser University and several other for-profit schools based in the state, but by 2012 the investigation was closed and Keiser entered into an "assurance of voluntary compliance".[12] In 2011, the university switched from a for-profit to a not-for-profit model, when Arthur Keiser sold the institution for an undisclosed sum to Everglades College Inc., a non-profit entity founded by Keiser that also operates Everglades University.[2][13]
In 2015, Keiser University added a 100-acre flagship residential campus in West Palm Beach, on the site of what was formerly Northwood University's Florida campus. The goal of this expansion was to help in providing students with a residential, traditional, educational experience in West Palm Beach, Florida.[14] In 2016, the university launched the new college of Chiropractic Medicine, with Dr. Michael Wiles serving as the Dean. This is the first program of its kind started in South Florida.[15][16]
Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels. Keiser University is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education in Florida.[19]
Recognition and rankings
In 2022-23, U.S. News & World Report ranked Keiser University #219 in National Universities (tie) and #1 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.[20]
In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Keiser University #284 (tie) out of all national universities and #11 (tie) in "Top Performers of Social Mobility."[21]
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Keiser University #272 (tie) out of all national universities and #34 (tie) in "Top Performers of Social Mobility."[22]
In 2019, Washington Monthly ranked Keiser University 263rd out of 395 schools on its national universities list. This ranking is based on three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service.[23]
In 2018, Money magazine rated Keiser University - Fort Lauderdale at #8 in top colleges for the money in Florida.[24]
Keiser competes in 26 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, flag football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include eSports and spirit squad. Club sports include equestrian and fishing.
Basketball
Basketball was started in the 2006–2007 season, after the hiring of Rollie Massimino in 2005, as Director of Basketball Operations for both men's and women's basketball.[28] Per ESPN, on December 14, 2016, Massimino, Keiser University's men's basketball coach, became the third active coach to achieve 800 career wins and the ninth coach overall. Massimino was 82 years old at the time.[29]
In 2016, Keiser announced its plan to add football to its slate of varsity athletic programs, with the team beginning play in the 2018 season.[34] In 2021, the Seahawks football team advanced to the NAIA quarterfinals for the second straight year.[35] In 2023, the Seahawks football team won its first NAIA Football National Championship, defeating Northwestern College 31–21.[36]
Wrestling
The 2019–20 season marked the inaugural year of the Keiser men's wrestling team. Keiser, along with Southeastern University and St. Thomas University, are the only current institutions that sponsor scholarship wrestling programs in Florida.[37][38]
Soccer
Both the Seahawks Men's and Women's soccer teams have won national championships. The Women's soccer team won back-to-back national championships in 2019 and 2020. The Men's soccer team collected its first national championship in 2021.[39]