ConnectEDU Expands Team to Help Address Critical Areas of Education Reform

BOSTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- ConnectEDU, (www.connectedu.net) the Web-based leader in empowering students to manage their education and launch their career, today announced it is increasing its emphasis on providing innovative solutions to the public education market with the addition of former Governor of Massachusetts, Jane Swift, as Senior Vice President of Government Solutions and Strategy.

"At this critical time when education and political leaders of both parties recognize the importance of not only ensuring that public high schools have the resources they need to be effective but also supporting all students in their transition to college and career, I am thrilled to be working for a company whose mission and services are aimed squarely at solving these challenges by leveraging cutting edge technology," said Swift. "Education stakeholders nationwide are looking for innovative and cost-effective solutions to insure that more students are college and career ready when they graduate from high school. My new role at ConnectEDU provides me with an opportunity to help both students and our public schools be successful."

ConnectEDU works with students, families, high schools, districts, states, employers and community based organizations across the country to further student access to post-secondary institutions. The company also supports student exploration of possible careers, designs individualized pathways to pursue those careers and enables students to interact with professionals in career fields that interest them.  The innovative technology deployed by ConnectEDU has proven to be particularly powerful in meeting the needs of traditionally underserved student populations.

Jane Swift served as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 2001-2003, the first woman to achieve this post, capping more than a decade of distinguished public service.  As a three-term State Senator, Swift helped draft the landmark 1993 Education Reform Act. As Lieutenant Governor and subsequently Governor, Swift implemented critical components of the new law. Under her leadership, the U.S. Department of Education declared the Massachusetts public school system a national model for success.

Most recently, Swift served as General Partner at Arcadia Partners, the leading venture capital firm focused exclusively on the education industry, from 2003 to 2006. In 2007, Swift founded WNP Consulting, providing expert advice and counsel to early-stage education companies including ConnectEDU.

Swift remains a tireless advocate for excellence in public education and is well-respected as a thought leader by stakeholders across the education industry. Swift serves on the board of K12, Inc. (LRN), a publicly-traded technology-based education company, and on the Board of Sally Ride Science, a science content company dedicated to supporting youth interest in science, math and technology.

"The addition of Jane Swift represents the continued acceleration of our growth and commitment to attracting top notch talent to our management team," said Craig Powell, President and Chief Executive Officer at ConnectEDU. "At this critical time for education when reform decisions are being made at the state and national level, Jane brings both experience and deep industry knowledge in education and policy to extend our reach and intensify our impact at the government level."    

For more information on ConnectEDU, call 888-887-8380 or visit www.connectedu.net.

About ConnectEDU, Inc.

ConnectEDU is devoted to helping students find and enroll in the right college, get a degree, and launch their career.  Created, developed and run by people who have worked in every area of college counseling, admissions, and career development, ConnectEDU uses information technology to connect real students and real data with real colleges, and real career opportunities.  We make the college admissions process simpler, more efficient, more reliable and more effective.  ConnectEDU's approach gives every student, from every neighborhood across the country, the best opportunity to achieve their dream of a college education and promising career.

SOURCE ConnectEDU