Higher Education Leader Paula R. Singer to Speak at Walden University's Winter Commencement

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 25 years of experience in leadership in education, Paula R. Singer has played a significant role in redefining higher education through the innovative use of technology to enhance student learning and increase access for underserved student populations. Ms. Singer, chair of the Walden University board of directors for the past 10 years, will address graduates as the keynote speaker at Walden's 47th Commencement on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1:30 p.m. in Miami at the James L. Knight Center at the Hyatt Regency Miami. She will share her reflections on the character and achievements of Walden graduates and their responsibility to lead social change in their communities around the world.

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Ms. Singer is president and chief executive officer of Laureate Education's Global Products and Services Group. She leads its United States campus-based and online higher education institutions in disciplines that have a global reach, including hospitality management; culinary arts; and architecture, art and design.

She credits her early experience as a classroom teacher focused on improving the academic performance of struggling students from disadvantaged urban and rural communities with giving her a unique point of view as a corporate leader in education. As a result, Ms. Singer has been a driving force behind Laureate's commitment to a student-centric approach to teaching and learning and its focus on serving nontraditional students and working professionals. As a top corporate leader, she also serves as a role model to a new generation of women.

"Paula Singer is a leader whose unwavering dedication has made quality education accessible to learners worldwide and helped to shape the future of online education," said Jonathan Kaplan, president of Walden. "She truly exemplifies Walden's mission to lead the way for positive social change and is committed to inspiring people to achieve the highest standards possible."

Ms. Singer earned a B.S. in Education from the University of Connecticut, where she was the first education major selected for the prestigious University Scholar program. She is an active leader with the United Way and serves on the organization's Women's Leadership Council, which is committed to improving local communities and the quality of life for children. Ms. Singer is an advisory board member of The Johns Hopkins University School of Education and a member of the board of directors of Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU). She has been named to Maryland's Top 100 Women three times and inducted into its Circle of Excellence for her sustained achievements. She has also been recognized as one of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland's Distinguished Women and received a Special Leader Award from the YWCA of the Greater Baltimore Area.

The 2012 winter commencement ceremony and Ms. Singer's address can be viewed live via webcast at www.WaldenU.edu.

About Walden University
For more than 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 46,500 students from all 50 states and more than 120 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees online at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of 58 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.

Walden offers more than 60 degree programs with more than 300 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.

About Laureate International Universities
Laureate International Universities is a trusted global leader in providing access to high-quality, innovative institutions of higher education. The Laureate International Universities network includes 58 accredited campus-based and online universities. Our more than 675,000 students are part of an academic community that spans 28 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Laureate universities offer hundreds of undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in fields including architecture, art, business, culinary arts, design, education, engineering, health sciences, hospitality management, information technology, law and medicine. President William J. Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, serves as The Honorary Chancellor of the Laureate International Universities network, offering advice on social responsibility, youth leadership and increasing access to higher education. For more information, visit www.laureate.net.

SOURCE Walden University