Ashford University has established an alliance agreement with Virginia power supplier Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative. This agreement will give Mecklenburg employees an opportunity to pursue a four-year degree with accredited Ashford University.
Owned by Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI), Ashford University’s agreement with Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative will permit Mecklenburg’s workers to receive fee waivers for costs associated with attending Ashford, giving those employees added incentive to pursue an associates, bachelor’s or master’s degree with the university.
“We are excited to partner with Ashford University as we continue to prepare for the future,” stated Leilani Todd, Mecklenburg’s vice president of human resources. “Employee training and development is extremely important at any time but even more so as we look ahead to the next five to ten years and see how our electric utility will be changing. Not only will we have a large number of our employees eligible to retire, we have new infrastructure and technologies coming on board. We see this alliance with Ashford University as a mechanism for our employees to develop the skills and competencies required to pursue opportunities that will be open to them right here at Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, Inc.”
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, associate vice president 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, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.
About Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, non-profit utility in south central Virginia. We provide electricity to over 31,000 consumers in nine counties. All members have a voice in the business affairs of the cooperative, with one vote and the opportunity to attend the Annual Meeting in June to elect their directors. All margins (profits) are set aside and distributed among the members in proportion to their patronage. These basic cooperative principles truly provide for a democratically controlled organization.