Boys & Girls Clubs of America and University of Phoenix Award 30 Full-Tuition Scholarships

ATLANTA & PHOENIX, March 27, 2017 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America and University of Phoenix believe education is the foundation for building stronger families and communities. In addition to programs designed to prepare America’s youth for college, the organizations’ partnership helps many adults pursue higher education goals. Today, 30 Boys & Girls Clubs staff, parents and alumni are receiving this chance.

Thirty recipients worldwide received full-tuition scholarships from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and University of Phoenix to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree. This year’s class joins 176 other recipients awarded scholarships over the past several years.

“University of Phoenix shares one of our core beliefs—that education is foundational to achieving great futures,” said Dr. Damon Williams, chief educational and youth development officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “While we are pleased to work together year-round to help our youth thrive academically, today we celebrate the special moment when we can make higher education accessible to the adult members of our Boys & Girls Clubs family. From alumni to parents to staff, these deserving individuals will have the opportunity to pursue higher education goals and their own great future.”

University of Phoenix is dedicated to increasing access to education for underrepresented students who may not have a pathway in traditional educational structures. By addressing education and workforce needs in the communities it serves, University of Phoenix prepares its graduates for professional growth.

“Since its inception, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been a model for inspiring young people to reach their full potential, and it is a true honor to partner with an organization so dedicated to improving the community,” said Timothy P. Slottow, president of University of Phoenix. “The University cherishes the opportunity to provide career-relevant higher education for working adults who have shown such devotion to service and improving the lives of others.”

The 2017 scholarship recipients include:

• Lakiesha Alford, Boys & Girls Club of the Antelope Valley, Lancaster, CA
• James Alston, Boys & Girls Club of North Central NC, Warrenton, NC
• Angela Beckman, Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, Joppa, MD
• Brandon Bergeron, Naval Air Facility Atsugi Teen Center, Tatekawa, Japan
• Erin Buck, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington, DC
• LaMarr Coles III, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast VA, Suffolk, VA
• Whitney Cox, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Malabar, FL
• Anna Dieuveuil, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Maitland, FL
• Ryan Flynn, Wetzel Teen Center, Baumholder, Germany
• Linda Ford, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties, Leesburg, FL
• Bianca Frustaci, Valentine Boys & Girls Club, Chicago, IL
• William Hartsough, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County, Rohnert Park, CA
• Vernon Hooks, Boys & Girls Club of Norman, Norman, OK
• Irma Isaac Bernabe, Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Florida, Tupperware Brands Branch, Kissimmee, FL
• Margaret Kastas, Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne, Hawthorne, NJ
• Alanna Kelso, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA
• Michaelina Kotrba, Valentine Boys & Girls Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• David Kuhl, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Denver, CO
• SheTeriha Lewis, Boys & Girls Clubs of the CSRA, Augusta, GA
• Kayla Miro, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Paiute Branch, Scottsdale, AZ
• Railsha Nogales, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, UT
• Larissa O’Rourke, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, Derry, NH
• Taylor Penny, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, Ventura, CA
• Chase Rohan, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• Stacy Ruff, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Atlanta, GA
• Lisa Spiegler, Boys & Girls Clubs of the North Valley, Oroville Teen Center, Oroville, CA
• Todd Trout, Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park, Irvine, CA
• Jessica Wellmaker, Lunney Youth Center, Misawa-shi, Japan
• Petra Williamson, RAF Mildenhall Youth Center, Bury Saint Edmunds, UK
• Richard Yount, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, Cocoa, FL

In addition to the scholarship program, Boys & Girls Clubs of America partners with University of Phoenix Foundation to provide BE GREAT: Graduate. Aimed at reducing college dropout rates, this program identifies at-risk youth through early warning signs and increases their engagement at Boys & Girls Clubs. Now in its sixth year, the partnership helps young people at 10 Clubs around the nation develop the academic, behavioral and social skills needed to be successful. University of Phoenix is also a national sponsor of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s leadership program Youth of the Year.

For more information about University of Phoenix scholarship opportunities, including scholarship terms and conditions, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/scholarships. For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their programs and impact on young lives across the country, visit www.bgca.org.

Apollo Education Group, parent company of University of Phoenix, is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen by serving communities and individuals across the country. Through its corporate social responsibility efforts, Apollo Education Group focuses on giving in the areas of education, workforce readiness and sustainability. To learn more about the impact of these efforts, please visit http://csrreport.apollo.edu.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.