University of Phoenix Awards Junior Achievement Scholarships

PHOENIX, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix, an Apollo Group Learning Platform, today announced recipients of 15 full-tuition scholarships for staff, teachers or volunteers affiliated with Junior Achievement USA. Recipients include seven staff members, three teachers and five volunteers.

Recipients, who must continue to serve Junior Achievement through the duration of the scholarships, are geographically spread throughout the United States, with eight residing west and seven residing east of the Mississippi River.

Recipients include:

• Stephanie Bell, Junior Achievement USA staff, Colorado Springs, Colo.;
• Pamela Casteel, Junior Achievement USA staff, Colorado Springs, Colo.;
• Denny Clark, Junior Achievement of Rocky Mountain staff, Denver, Colo.;
• Tara Coburn, Junior Achievement of Northern California teacher, Walnut Creek, Calif.;
• Michelle Duell, Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York volunteer, Albany, N.Y.;
• Deborah Fairholm, Junior Achievement of South Florida staff, Coconut Creek, Fla.;
• Darla Fuentes, Junior Achievement of Arizona teacher, Phoenix, Ariz.;
• Jeffrey Giles, Junior Achievement of Arizona volunteer, Phoenix Ariz.;
• Jaime Hansson, Junior Achievement of Central Pennsylvania volunteer, Lancaster, Penn.;
• Laura Hatton, Junior Achievement of Central Pennsylvania volunteer, Lancaster, Penn.;
• Karen Hughes, Junior Achievement of Northeast Florida volunteer, Jacksonville, Fla.;
• Nomoya Malcolm, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, D.C. staff;
• Laura McGrew, Junior Achievement of Northern California, Walnut Creek, Calif.;
• Kimberly Nidy, Junior Achievement of East Central Ohio teacher, Canton, Ohio;
• Jacqueline Pernicano, Junior Achievement of San Diego staff.

"We are honored for our associates, teachers and volunteers to receive these scholarships due, in part, to their affiliation with Junior Achievement USA," said Jack E. Kosakowski, president and chief executive officer of Junior Achievement USA. "The many University of Phoenix program offerings will allow them to continue their education in a direction that is personally enriching and organizationally valuable."

"University of Phoenix is pleased to offer this scholarship program to benefit Junior Achievement staff, teachers and volunteers," said Mark Brenner, Apollo Group's senior vice president of external affairs and JA USA board member. "Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to embrace free enterprise and succeed in a global economy. We likewise understand the importance of higher education in creating individual success stories. These scholarships recognize the importance of continuous education."

Recipients may pursue an undergraduate or master's degree of their choice at one of University of Phoenix's more than 200 locations or online.

Learn more about University of Phoenix scholarships at phoenix.edu/scholarships.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning can help students pursue personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As the flagship university of Apollo 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 phoenix.edu. 

About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches four million students per year in more than 120 markets across the United States, with an additional 6.5 million students served by operations in 117 other countries worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.

SOURCE University of Phoenix