SAN DIEGO, CA (October 17, 2008) -  Bridgepoint Education, recognized by Inc. Magazine in its September 2008 issue as the fastest growing private education company in the United States, has appointed Elizabeth (Beth) Aguiar to the position of Vice President of Learning Resources.  Aguiar will report directly to Jane McAuliffe, Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Aguiar’s extensive experience in the non-traditional, for-profit, higher education industry spans more than 25 years. 

She joins Bridgepoint from ED MAP, an education resource company in Nelsonville, Ohio, where she served as Vice President of Business Solutions.

Prior to that role, Aguiar worked with the Apollo Group at the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.  There she assumed several roles, including: Vice President, Apollo Publishing and Learning Technologies; Associate Vice President, Academic Publishing; Dean, College of Undergraduate Business and Management; Chair, Undergraduate Business and Management; Executive Director, Product and Curriculum Development; Director, Center for Professional Education; and Director, Curriculum Development.

Among other accomplishments, Aguiar developed the sourcing and cost model for digital learning materials for the Apollo Group’s rEsource portal, an award-winning collection of digital media that now serves more than 300,000 students. In 2005, she won the “Outstanding Work Award” from the Western Cooperative of Educational Telecommunications for her creation of an all-inclusive University of Phoenix eBook collection.  Aguiar also participated in the 1989 University of Phoenix project to launch online programs for working adults, a development now recognized as a pioneering effort in online education. 

“We are proud to have Elizabeth on our team,” said Jane McAuliffe, Vice President of Academic Affairs.  “The mission of Bridgepoint Education is to provide high-quality, innovative education services that will enrich the many lives and communities we serve.  Elizabeth has proven, through a wealth of experience and accomplishment, that she is capable of this mission, and we are confident she will provide Bridgepoint with all of the assessments, recommendations, and oversight needed to ensure our growing education needs are met.”

Aguiar has given dozens of presentations and has participated on a number of expert panels on the topics of digital learning materials and white label and custom textbook strategies. 

She holds a Master of Arts degree in Russian Area Studies from The George Washington University’s Institute for Sino-Soviet Studies in Washington, DC, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Language and Linguistics from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

About Bridgepoint Education
Based in San Diego, Bridgepoint Education was founded on the principle that anyone who is academically prepared deserves access to higher education without sacrificing quality, transferability of credits, accessibility, academic standards, or credentials. As an independent, private higher education company, Bridgepoint is committed to serving the millions of adults seeking an affordable alternative to high priced higher education. Bridgepoint Education subsidiaries provide both traditional and online education offerings, in addition to recruiting and admissions services. Our comprehensive education services have helped thousands of students improve their lives and careers through higher education. For the second year, Bridgepoint Education was named by Inc. magazine as the fastest growing private education company in the United States. For more information, please contact Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240, extension 2513 or visit us at www.bridgepointeducation.com.