University of Phoenix Executive Dean Dennis Bonilla Joins Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
By University of Phoenix
Academic leader’s appointment underscores University’s commitment to workforce diversity in Arizona
PHOENIX, Jan. 26, 2015 – University of Phoenix® College of Information Systems and Technology today announced the appointment of Executive Dean Dennis Bonilla to the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Bonilla joins the company of 40 other Arizona business leaders who share the mission to promote the success of Hispanic-owned and small businesses in the state.
Providing Hispanic students with access to quality education is vital to the success of Arizona’s future economy. By 2020, Hispanic youth are projected to make up more than 50 percent of the K-12 public school student population in the state of Arizona¹. For the state to remain economically competitive, it must create pathways to post-secondary education for these students. According to the Pew Research Center, as recently as 2012, Hispanics accounted for only 9 percent of young adults aged 25-29 with a bachelor’s degree².
“Recognizing that access to career-relevant education is critical to our state’s economic development, University of Phoenix works closely with businesses to ensure our curriculum aligns with real-world professional needs,” said Dennis Bonilla, executive dean for University of Phoenix College of Information Systems and Technology. “Through ongoing dialogue, I look forward to building upon our commitment to provide Hispanic youth with the necessary tools to obtain an education that will meet the needs of today’s employers.”
Education is one of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s five “Pillars of Excellence.” As part of this focus, the organization has in place scholarship programs that are designed to invest in the futures of aspiring business majors, professionals and small business owners.
“We are focused on developing the next generation of Hispanic business leaders in Arizona,” said Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gonzalo A. de la Melena, Jr. “We are thrilled to welcome Dennis to our board and we look forward to learning from his experiences as a higher education leader to guide our efforts to educate Hispanic youth and young adults.”
The appointment of one of the University’s academic leaders to an organization focused on the advancement Hispanic youth in Arizona reaffirms University of Phoenix’s commitment to diversity and its efforts in increasing higher education opportunities for minority scholars. For more information about University of Phoenix diversity initiatives, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/corporate-social-responsibility.html.
About the College of Information Systems and Technology
University of Phoenix® College of Information Systems and Technology is a leader and advocate for the development and advancement of IT in global business operations. The College offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Its Faculty Advisory Council, composed of experts and leaders in the field, ensures curriculum is on pace with national and international market demands. Providing innovative digital learning tools developed to suit all learning styles, the College focuses on building technical knowledge and its successful application to real-world business environments. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu/degrees/technology
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. (Nasdaq: APOL), 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.
¹ Datos: The State of Arizona’s Hispanic Market 2015, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, page 198
² More Hispanics, blacks enrolling in college, but lag in bachelor’s degrees, Pew Research Center
