Rasmussen College Becomes First U.S. College To Join PaYS

MINNEAPOLIS, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 20, representatives from the U.S. Army and Rasmussen College will sign an agreement to provide priority hiring status to qualified soldiers participating in the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program during a special ceremony at the Rasmussen College Eagan campus. Rasmussen College will become the first college or university to join PaYS, which is dedicated to helping U.S. soldiers transition into civilian careers. PaYS partners the U.S. Army with a cross section of corporations and public sector agencies who value the skills and work ethics of our nation's heroes.

Members of the Army Advisory Board and local Army and PaYS officials will join Rasmussen College President Kristi Waite for a signing ceremony on June 20 at 11:30 a.m. that will coincide with the 237th Army Birthday Celebration. The ceremony will be held at Rasmussen College, 3500 Federal Drive, Eagan, Minn.

"Rasmussen College is extremely pleased to have formally teamed up with the U.S. Army. Through the Army PaYS Program our college can bring on board qualified men and women who are looking for rewarding civilian careers after they have served their country," said Rasmussen College President Kristi Waite. "For Rasmussen College, the partnership with the Army will help us recruit for a number of different positions so we can ensure our campuses have a strong workforce in place to meet the needs of our students."

Unemployment for veterans between 18 to 24 years old hit 21.6 percent in 2009, according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The same report found that of all of the veterans from past wars, soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced higher rates of joblessness, and those numbers are anticipated to climb. PaYS and its partners like Rasmussen College are dedicated to helping bring those numbers back down.

PaYS helps match soldiers with participating businesses most in need of their particular skill set, and assists them in securing an interview. Soldiers can sign up to participate in PaYS and chose the job and company they are most qualified for during the enlistment process.

"The U.S. Army is excited to have Rasmussen College join us as a corporate partner in the Partnership for Youth Success program," said Lt. Col. John Hinck, commander for Army recruiting in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "We are proud of our partnerships like this that enable our recruiters to offer applicants quality employment opportunities during and after their Army service."

Rasmussen College, which has more than 1,500 full- and part-time positions at its 25 campuses and central locations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Florida, is honored and excited to join PaYS.

For more information on Rasmussen College or this event, contact (651) 687-9000 or visit www.Rasmussen.edu

To view this release in full, visit: http://www.rasmussen.edu/press-release/2012-06-18/rasmussen-college-becomes-first-college-to-join-pays/.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
An innovator of higher education, Rasmussen College is a career-focused, private college that specializes in offering the most in-demand degree programs in a highly supportive, student-centered educational environment.  Rasmussen College offers market-relevant programs from the certificate and diploma level through the associate's and bachelor's level online and across its 22 campuses in the Midwest and Florida to more than 15,000 students. By combining its expertise in career development with high academic standards and with unparalleled student support services, graduates of Rasmussen College leave with the most up-to-date knowledge, the skills that employers look for, and the tools to succeed in their chosen field.  Since 1900, the primary focus at Rasmussen College has remained constant: student achievement is of the utmost importance, the employer who hires its students continues to be a valued partner, and Rasmussen College is dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

SOURCE Rasmussen College