Ashford University is a private, coeducational liberal arts university located in Clinton, Iowa. The University offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees through its campus in Clinton

 and online through its College of External Studies. The school is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As of January 2008, the student body (both traditional and online) includes almost 18,000 undergraduates and 1000 graduate students
History
Founding
Mount Saint Clare, circa 1920.Ashford University traces its origins back to 1891, when Father James A. Murray invited the Sisters of St. Francis to help teach in Clinton, Iowa. By 1893, the Sisters were able to purchase some land in Clinton, on which they established their mother house and the Mount St. Clare Academy, a boarding and day school for girls. The Academy and the mother house quickly outgrew their old building. In 1910, the mother house and the academy moved into the newly constructed Mount St. Clare building, which is still in use today.

Seeing a need for higher education in Clinton County and the surrounding area, the Sisters founded Mount St. Clare College, a liberal arts institution and the direct predecessor to Ashford University, in 1918. At that time, the Mount St. Clare Academy, College, and Convent were all housed in the same building. Mount St. Clare College was on the approved list of teacher education colleges in Iowa from 1932 to 1954 when the State raised the requirements. In 1942, 60% of the rural teachers in Clinton County and 62% of the teachers in the city of Clinton school system had received all of their training from Mount St. Clare College.
Expansion
The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of expansion at the institution. In 1950, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools first accredited Mount St. Clare College. Following the accreditation, the school quickly began to expand. The sisters moved into an adjoining convent building in 1956. A new library and gymnasium were opened a few years later. During the sixties, Durham Residence Hall was opened as was the Science Building, which also houses the Children’s Center. In 1967, the college became coeducational.

For the 1979-1980 school year, the college received approval for its first four-year degree, a bachelor’s program in business administration. During the same year, Mount St. Clare Academy merged with St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, forming Mater Dei High School (now know as Prince of Peace Academy). With the space freed by the academy’s merger, the school began to offer additional four year programs. In 1997, the sisters moved off campus into their new mother house, The Canticle. In 1998, the Durgin Educational Center was opened, which included new athletic facilities, including Kehl arena.
Transition to university
In 2002, Mount St. Clare College began to offer graduate courses over the internet. In conjunction with the expanded course offerings, the school changed its name to The Franciscan University, and the name of the athletic teams was changed from “The Mounties” to “The Saints.” In 2003, the university received approval to offer its first master’s degree online. In September 2004, the school modified its name to The Franciscan University of the Prairies, in order to avoid confusion with similarly named schools.

In March 2005, the University was purchased by Bridgepoint Education, Inc. After the completion of the sale, the institution’s name was changed to Ashford University. Sponsorship by the Sisters of St. Francis ended, and it became a for-profit institution at that time.
presidents
Mother Mary Paul Carrico, O.S.F., 1918-1921
Mother Mary Fidelis Ruddy, O.S.F., 1921-1924
Mother Mary Paul Carrico, O.S.F., 1924-1936[1]
Mother Mary John McKeever, O.S.F., 1936-1948
Mother Mary Regis Cleary, O.S.F., 1948-1958
Sister Mary Cortona Phelan, Ph.D., O.S.F., 1958-1968
Sister Mary Cecile Devereux, O.S.F., 1968-1971
Sister Eileen Smith, O.S.F., 1972-1976
Dr. Dan C. Johnson, 1976-1985
Rev. Charles E. Lang, Ph.D., 1986-1991
Dr. James J. Ross, 1991-2000
Sheila Smith, 2001-2002
Dr. Michael E. Kaelke, 2002-2005
James Chitwood, M.B.A, 2005-2007
Dr. Jane McAuliffe, 2007-2008

The mission of Ashford University is to provide accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality learning opportunities and degree programs that meet the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives, professions, and communities.

Purposes:
To foster a vigorous, diverse learning environment shaped by contemporary awareness, intellectual inquiry, and a shared search for truth in which students gain knowledge and build skills and values useful in their personal and career development.
To cultivate student-centered learning at all levels, supported by technological resources and led by qualified faculty and staff who are guided by contemporary scholarship and professional practice.
To promote the development of foundational values relevant to leadership in the 21st century: self-worth, creativity, interdependence, service, integrity, and effectiveness.
To foster intellectual and personal growth, sensitivity to diversity and human dignity, effective and responsible leadership, environmental responsibility, and lifelong learning.
To provide a traditional liberal arts college experience, accelerated external-degree programs for adult learners, and relevant graduate programs.
To place priority upon institutional effectiveness, excellent value, affordability, responsive student services, accountable administrative processes, continuous assessment of student learning, and curriculum improvement to assure quality in a rapidly changing culture and demonstrate innovative leadership in higher education.
To maintain operational, financial, and strategic strength to ensure the future of Ashford University.