Alliant International University - History

History

Alliant was formed in 2001 by the combination of two older institutions: the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and United States International University (USIU). Like the institutions that it descended from, Alliant has its home campus in San Diego, California.

USIU is the descendant of the original Balboa School of Law founded by Leland Stanford as a private graduate institution in 1924. The name was changed to Balboa University, and then to California Western University in 1952. Once again, in 1968, the school's name was changed to United States International University. The law school, however, retained the name of California Western School of Law.

In the early 1980s, USIU held a broadcast license to operate KUSI, a startup UHF television station television in San Diego. But for unknown reasons, USIU decided not to launch the channel. The license was transferred to Texas businessman Mike McKinnon and it began as a commercial station in 1982. KUSI still exists as an independent station. USIU developed a network of campuses throughout the world at locations such as Guam, England, Kenya, and Mexico City. The Mexico City campus remains part of the Alliant International University system, however shortly after the merger with CSPP, the Kenya campus became its own independent entity known as United States International University - Africa (see USIU-Africa website: http://www.usiu.ac.ke).

Alumni of USIU include actor Jamie Foxx, British / American television and stage actor John Barrowman (formerly of "Doctor Who"), television producer Jack Gulick, and comedian Dante.