Walden University Announces New Scholarship Programs to Advance Higher Education

MINNEAPOLIS, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As the focus on the importance of the nation's community colleges grows, Walden University's Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership continues its commitment to the advancement of community colleges and higher education by announcing four new scholarship programs.

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The scholarships, created to help foster the next generation of higher education professionals, include one named in honor of Dr. Terry O'Banion, president emeritus of the League for Innovation in the Community College and Walden's senior advisor for higher education programs. Dr. O'Banion, along with a coalition of national community college leaders, spearheaded the development of Walden's Ph.D. in Education program with a specialization in Community College Leadership, the first online program of its kind.

The new scholarships were announced today in San Diego at Innovations 2011, the 14th annual conference of the League for Innovation in the Community College.

• Terry O'Banion Leadership Scholarship: One $25,000 scholarship awarded to a higher education professional preparing his or her students to be successful, contributing members of the 21st-century workforce
• League for Innovation in the Community College Scholarship: One $10,000 scholarship awarded to a recipient employed by a community college that is a member of The League and who is making an impact in community college education
• Higher Education Excellence Scholarship: Three $5,000 scholarships awarded to higher education professionals who have created initiatives that have improved student success
• League for Innovation in the Community College—Future Educators Scholarship: Three $3,000 scholarships awarded to future education leaders who are enrolled at or have graduated from a community college that is a member of The League

"I am honored to be associated with such an important scholarship that will nurture and prepare the next generation of leaders to foster success in our community colleges nationwide. The innovations they will undoubtedly create will help to make the opportunity for higher education for everyone a reality in the future," Dr. O'Banion said.

"We thank Walden University, a sustaining partner of the League for Innovation for the past six years, for providing these scholarships for leadership development for our members and others," said Gerardo E. de los Santos, League president and CEO. "The benefits will be seen in community colleges across the country for many years to come."

The Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University helps ensure the continued success of community colleges by offering the Ph.D. in Education program with specializations in Adult Education Leadership, Community College Leadership, Higher Education, Leadership, Policy, and Change and Learning, Instruction, and Innovation; the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program with specializations in Higher Education and Adult Learning and Higher Education Leadership; the M.S. in Higher Education program with specializations in College Teaching and Learning, Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing, Global Higher Education, Leadership for Student Success, Online and Distance Learning and a General Program; and Graduate Certificates in College Teaching and Learning and Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing.

More information about these scholarships is available at www.WaldenU.edu/scholarships.

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 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 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 more than 55 online and campus-based universities in 27 countries.

Walden offers more than 50 degree programs with more than 225 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.

SOURCE Walden University