Community Relations

University partners with Arizona Diamondbacks to award three scholarships

University of Phoenix awarded three full-tuition scholarships as part of the Home Runs for Scholarships program in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks. During a September game, each time a D-backs player hit a home run in the "University of Phoenix Scholarship Zone," the University donated in-kind scholarship funds to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. Scholarship applications were accepted from July 15 to Aug. 15.

"An educated world is a better world," said Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of University of Phoenix. "University of Phoenix is proud to partner with the D-backs to grant three individuals the opportunity to further their education."

Apollo Group employees volunteer

In 2010, the University of Phoenix Foundation presented a three- year grant to Everybody Wins! USA to expand its proven literacy and mentoring programs in the Phoenix market. Today, Phoenix employees from all departments volunteer during their lunch hour to read to their partner child.

The Power Lunch program brings groups of adult volunteers into low-income elementary schools each week for one-on-one read aloud sessions with students. In August, Apollo Group donated $20,000 to the Chicago and Connecticut affiliates to expand the Power Lunch program.

"The Fairfield County Campus is thrilled to participate in the Power Lunch program. For our employees, giving up an hour each week to read to a child is not a sacrifice—it’s a privilege," says Nancy Pluzdrak, Fairfield County Campus director. "We’re proud to join Everybody Wins! in its efforts to bring the love of reading to our low-income schools and to support our community."

Radiothon for Phoenix Children’s Hospital

For the 11th year, KTAR radio helped create miracles for Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The annual fundraiser brought in $1,007,205 from families, businesses and individuals across the state. This is the second year University of Phoenix has helped with the event. Twenty-eight volunteers answered phones for two days at the station. They took turns working in shifts to make the radiothon a success.

“The opportunity to volunteer at Phoenix Children’s Hospital was one I couldn’t pass up because of the incredible work that PCH does for kids from around the world. Being there for two hours and working on the radiothon was a terrific and humbling experience,” shares Craig Dicker, director, K-12 Environmental Education. “Hearing the stories of the families and the kids who, through no fault of their own, spend countless days in the hospital made me want to spend more time there to help make a difference in their lives (as well as truly appreciate how fortunate I am). PCH is an amazing place and everyone should take the chance to volunteer there if they can,” he adds. University of Phoenix also donated $2,500 to the hospital.

Pictured: Twenty-eight UOPX volunteers took radiothon pledge calls over the course of two days.