University of Phoenix and Wounded Warrior Project To Help Empower Injured Service Members Through Education

PHOENIX, Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Department of Defense (Sept. 17, 2012), nearly 50,000 active duty service members have been wounded in action as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation New Dawn.¹As a result, University of Phoenix® and Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors, today announced the 2012 University of Phoenix Wounded Warrior Project Scholarship recipients. The full-tuition scholarships were awarded to the following WWP alumni, spouses, and primary caregivers:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121003/LA85714LOGO)

• Jeremiah Pauley of Petaluma, Calif., will pursue a master's degree in business administration and plans to one day open a fitness center to cater to the unique needs of disabled veterans and athletes.
• Jessica Raines of Hagerstown, Md., will pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology and plans to use her degree and her personal experience supporting her husband's military service as a way to honor and assist other Wounded Warriors.
• Nathaniel Van Loan of Roseville, Calif., will pursue a master's degree in criminal justice and security and plans to use his degree and previous military police experience for a career in the law enforcement sector.

"University of Phoenix is proud to work again with Wounded Warrior Project and provide each of these scholarship recipients a chance to fulfill his or her educational goals," said University of Phoenix Associate Regional Vice President for the Military Division Garland Williams, Ph.D., USA Colonel (ret.). "These scholarships represent an appreciation of the sacrifice these service members, their spouses and primary caregivers have made to secure our country's freedom as well as symbolize an opportunity for each recipient to acquire essential education and professional skills necessary to transition into a career in the civilian sector."

The 2012 University of Phoenix Wounded Warrior Project Scholarship Program allows each recipient the opportunity to complete a University of Phoenix bachelor's or master's degree program. Scholarship recipients will complete their studies at one of the University's more than 100 locations nationwide or through the University's online classroom accessible anywhere in the world, thus offering flexible education options to transitioning service members and their families. This marks the second year that WWP has worked with University of Phoenix to offer eligible WWP Alumni, spouses and primary caregivers full-tuition scholarships to demonstrate the University's appreciation to these individuals and the sacrifice each have made for their country.

"Wounded Warrior Project congratulates these three deserving recipients for their achievements in earning this scholarship, a step in the right direction for the reintegration process of Wounded Warriors and their families," said Steve Nardizzi, executive director, Wounded Warrior Project. "We applaud University of Phoenix for its continued support of our mission and our vision to foster the most successful and well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history."

Since 2003, WWP has supported thousands of wounded warriors and caregivers through programs designed to nurture the mind and body and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. For more information, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

For more information on University of Phoenix degree offerings and special discounts offered to military members, their families and veterans, please visit http://www.phoenix.edu/colleges_divisions/military.html.  

[1] Department of Defense (Sept. 17, 2012), Casualty Report, http://www.defense.gov/news/casualty.pdf

About Wounded Warrior Project®
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and service to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.  

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning can help students pursue personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As the flagship university of  Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit http://www.phoenix.edu.

SOURCE University of Phoenix