About CIUA
August 15, 2026 2026-08-15 2:11About CIUA
Cavalla International University derives its name and institutional spirit from the USS Cavalla (SS-244), the distinguished United States Navy submarine celebrated as the “Avenger of Pearl Harbor.” During World War II, the USS Cavalla earned international recognition for its strategic effectiveness in the Pacific Theater, most notably for sinking the Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier Shokaku during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In recognition of its valor and exemplary wartime service, the submarine received the Presidential Unit Citation and four Battle Stars.
Following its military service, the USS Cavalla was decommissioned and later preserved as a museum vessel at Seawolf Park in Galveston. The vessel remains a symbol of courage, resilience, vigilance, and enduring legacy—values that continue to inspire the mission and identity of Cavalla International University.
Cavalla International University (CIU) was founded in 1990 by Dr. Horatius Jackie Williams with the vision of establishing an excellent, affordable, and internationally accessible research university. From its inception, the institution was designed to expand global access to high quality American education while promoting rigorous scholarship, professional advancement, and practical career-oriented learning.
Initially established as a correspondence-based institution, CIU primarily served working professionals seeking flexible educational opportunities in disciplines such as Accounting, Business, Finance, Human Resources, Computer Studies, and Marketing. In 1998, the institution evolved into a degree-granting university, introducing undergraduate degree programs and the Doctor of Juris (J.D.) program. Continued academic expansion followed with the authorization of master’s degree programs in 2005 and doctoral (Ph.D.) programs in 2008.
Today, Cavalla International University continues its commitment to accessible and globally oriented higher education. Through flexible online learning and professionally focused academic programs, CIU serves a diverse international student body dedicated to intellectual growth, career advancement, and lifelong learning. The University remains guided by its founding principles of excellence, resilience, innovation, and educational opportunity for all.
CIU is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and flexible American-style education to working adults, international students, and non-traditional learners. The University emphasizes academic accessibility for individuals balancing professional, financial, or family responsibilities, while maintaining a strong focus on applied learning, professional development, and lifelong educational advancement.
Cavalla International University operates primarily through an online educational model designed to accommodate diverse student schedules and learning needs. Academic programs are offered through accelerated formats, including traditional 12-week semesters as well as intensive 8- and 6-week sessions. CIU maintains an open enrollment policy, enabling year-round admissions and continuous progression into successive academic terms.
CIU fosters an international academic environment that brings together faculty and students from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. The University emphasizes flexibility, affordability, academic inclusiveness, and professional relevance in its curriculum and instructional delivery. Programs are structured to support global accessibility without residency requirements, allowing students worldwide to pursue their educational goals remotely.
