University of Phoenix Recognized as Institution Committed to Diversity

Minority Access, Inc. Honors University at 16th National Role Models
Conference

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–University of Phoenix® has been honored by Minority Access, Inc. with
the organization’s Diversity Institution Award, which highlights
the University’s commitment to diversity and its efforts in increasing
higher education opportunities for minority scholars. The award was
presented at Minority Access’ 16th National Role Models Conference on
Sept. 26 in Baltimore.

University of Phoenix has a history of supporting diversity in higher
education through the development of career pathways and community
engagement. Roughly 45 percent of University of Phoenix students are
people of color,¹ in addition to 34 percent of its
instructors — both exceeding national institutional averages²
and accurately reflecting the multicultural fabric of American society.
Most of the University’s students are working adults over 30 years old,
and first-generation college students comprised more than half of the
student body in 2014. Additionally, 76 percent of the University’s
students are working, including 57 percent women and 67 percent with
dependents, which further emphasizes the demand by “nontraditional”
students to expand their career opportunities through flexible academic
programs.

Late last year, the University partnered with Thurgood Marshall College
Fund (TMCF) to provide academic and online education resources for
students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Additionally, the University hosts Diversity Fairs and Diversity
Employment Career Fairs with panel discussions and workshops focused on
creating community conversation around higher education opportunities
and career-development programs for traditionally underserved
populations. That commitment to diversity and social responsibility are
critical to workforce development.

“University of Phoenix students, alumni, faculty and staff not
only value diversity – it is one of the defining
characteristics of our unique institution,” said University of Phoenix
President Timothy P. Slottow. “Nearly half of our students and 34
percent of our faculty tell us they come from under-represented minority
backgrounds. The way we value diversity also manifests itself in our
partnerships with organizations like the Thurgood Marshall College
Fund, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the Hispanic Foundation of
Silicon Valley. I am honored by this award and proud to lead an
institution that celebrates diversity.”

The Minority Access 16th National Role Models Conference has honored
more than 250 colleges, universities and other institutions since 2000.
Based in Hyattsville, Md., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
maintains a commitment to helping colleges, universities, and
corporations to implement programs and provide services to recruit,
enhance and retain underserved and underrepresented populations.

University of Phoenix was among 38 colleges and universities, from
community colleges to large private and state schools, honored during
the Baltimore ceremonies as institutions committed to diversity. The
event included a college and career showcase, workshops for
undergraduate student researchers and sessions in which attendees shared
their successes and challenges advancing diversity initiatives aimed at
eliminating workforce disparities.

“Minority Access and the National Role Models Conference shed light on
the issues minority scholars are faced with and the challenges educators
must take on to create more seamless access and opportunity,” said Dr.
Constance St. Germain, executive dean of University of Phoenix Colleges
of Humanities & Sciences and Social Sciences. “As technologies evolve to
meet the needs of working adult learners, the faculty and staff of
University of Phoenix remain motivated to develop curriculum that
represents the academic interests and career goals of a widely diverse
student population.”

In August, the University’s School of Business announced an educational
training program partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC)
for organization members and African-American small business owners. The
USBC program, backed by a $500,000 grant from the University, provides a
three-course, 15-week online business program to develop the next
generation of African-American business leaders.

As part of University of Phoenix’s commitment to social responsibility,
college leaders also have engaged with a variety of national minority
organizations and stakeholders to identify specific needs of students.
The University actively participates on State Task Teams and Committees,
such as the Arizona Minority Education Policy Analysis Center (AMEPAC)
and other groups dedicated to addressing improvement of minority access
to higher education.

For more information about University of Phoenix diversity initiatives,
visit http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/corporate-social-responsibility/diversity.html.

For more information about Minority Access, Inc., visit http://www.minorityaccess.org.

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 All University of Phoenix data: University of Phoenix
(2015) Office of Enterprise Performance Management.

² U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education
Sciences National Center for Education Statistics (2015).
Characteristics of Postsecondary Faculty: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cuf.asp.

Contacts

University of Phoenix
Michael Ferraresi, 602-557-6640
Communications
Manager
michael.ferraresi@apollo.edu