SAN DIEGO, March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services, has promoted Sheryl Wright to the position of senior vice president of External Affairs.

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The role of senior vice president of External Affairs oversees several key functions within the Bridgepoint Education organization, including Government and Regulatory Affairs, the Political Action Committee and Public Affairs. Wright will be in charge of managing the organization's relationships with elected officials and regulatory bodies at the local, state and federal levels. In this new role, Wright will become a member of Bridgepoint's executive management team and will report directly to Andrew Clark, Bridgepoint Education chief executive officer.

"For the past three years, Sheryl has made significant contributions to Bridgepoint Education's efforts in the areas of advocacy, grassroots engagement and lobbying," said Clark. "I am confident she will continue to excel in her expanded responsibilities."

Previously, Wright served as Bridgepoint Education's vice president of Government Affairs. Before joining Bridgepoint Education, she spent 25 years in Government Affairs with Sprint Communications. At Sprint, she served in policy, regulatory, legislative and industry relations functions with her most recent position as the vice president of Government Affairs. Previously, Wright spent five years regulating public utilities on the staff of the Kansas Corporation Commission (PUC).  

Wright earned her MBA from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. and her BA in Business Administration, graduating with honors from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan.

Wright is involved with numerous organizations. She serves on the boards of LEAD San Diego, San Diego County Taxpayers Association, Downtown San Diego Partnership, The San Diego Chamber of Commerce's PAC board and the Public Affairs Council, Washington, D.C. She also serves on the San Diego Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee. She is a 2010 "Influence" graduate of LEAD San Diego.

About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI) improves the way individuals learn. By harnessing creativity, knowledge and proprietary technologies, such as Constellation, Thuze and Waypoint Outcomes, Bridgepoint Education has re-engineered the modern student experience with innovative solutions that advance learning. Its accredited institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – embody the contemporary college experience. Ashford University offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs while University of the Rockies offers master's and doctoral degree programs. Both provide progressive online platforms, as well as traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa (Ashford University), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (University of the Rockies). For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.668.2580.

SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc.