Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of post-secondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting education by awarding four San Diego teachers with full scholarships to the company's Ashford University. The scholarship presentations were part of Teacher Appreciation Night held on Friday, April 16 at Petco Park in San Diego.
The four recipients of the Ashford scholarships were Tamara Davis of San Pasqual Academy, Amber Earnest of Los Penasquitos Elementary, Natalie Priester of the San Diego County Office of Juvenile Court and Community Schools, and Cheryl Kaiser of Oak Valley Middle School. All four recipients were recognized on the field at Petco Park during a presentation before the start of the night's baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks, where scholarship recipient Amber Earnest was asked to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Andrew Clark, chief executive officer of Bridgepoint Education, and Jane McAuliffe, president of Ashford University, were on hand to congratulate the scholarship winners.
"At Ashford University, we believe in the long-term power of education," said McAuliffe. "By helping to educate teachers today, we are helping students succeed in the years to come."
Recipients will use the scholarships to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology or a Master of Arts in Education. Both degree programs were created to prepare educators to meet the evolving needs of students in a rapidly changing world. For example, the Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology degree aims to develop skills in using emerging technology as educational tools.
To be considered for the scholarships, local teachers were asked to submit a letter of nomination from their school principal, a letter of recommendation from a colleague, and an essay explaining how their degree would increase student achievement and how they would share their new found knowledge with their peers.
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education's postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education's regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.
About Ashford University
Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.