Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of innovative solutions that advance learning, has announced that Chancellor of University of California, San Diego (UCSD), chemist and National Medal of Science recipient Dr. Marye Anne Fox has been appointed to its board of directors.

Fox currently serves on the board of trustees for Dartmouth College and has previously been on the board of trustees for the University of Notre Dame. She is also on the board of directors for Red Hat, Inc., a software company, and W.R. Grace & Co., a specialty chemical company. Throughout her career, Fox has served on numerous scientific advisory boards, and the boards of various non-profit organizations and foundations.  

"By harnessing creativity, knowledge and proprietary technologies, Bridgepoint Education is re-engineering the modern student experience," said Fox. "I am honored to join Bridgepoint Education's board of directors and look forward to being involved with this exciting organization."

Fox brings an extensive background in higher education to the board. For the past seven years, she has been chancellor and a distinguished professor at UCSD. Previously, she held the same positions at North Carolina State University, where she became the University's first female chief executive. Fox was also the vice president of research and the regents chair of chemistry at University of Texas. Other educational institutions she has served include University of Maryland, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland State University and Illinois Institute of Technology.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Fox to the board of directors," said Andrew Clark, Bridgepoint Education president and chief executive officer. "Her experience with institutions of higher education, as well as her passion to advance innovation in learning, will be a valuable asset to Bridgepoint Education and our universities."

In 2010, Dr. Fox was one of ten researchers to receive the National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama. The award is the highest honor that the U.S. government bestows upon scientists, engineers and inventors.

Fox holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Dartmouth College. She also earned her master's in organic chemistry from Cleveland State University and her bachelor's in chemistry from Notre Dame College.

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.