CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zovio
(Nasdaq: ZVO) announced the signing of a definitive agreement to
sell Ashford University to a newly
formed non-profit entity that will bear the name of The
University of Arizona Global Campus.
Zovio will continue to provide its high-quality, innovative
education technology services under a long-term Strategic Services
Agreement. This partnership will offer nontraditional and
underrepresented students access to flexible, affordable,
high-quality higher education opportunities to achieve their
academic and career goals.
The new non-profit entity, The University
of Arizona Global Campus, will acquire Ashford University and be fully-online, with its
own accreditation, programs, and faculty in affiliation with the
University of Arizona. Ashford University's faculty and approximately
35,000 students will continue coursework with no interruptions in
degree programs.
"At Zovio we use educational technology to create personalized
online learning opportunities that enable learners to achieve their
aspirations. With over 16 years of industry experience, we
understand the changing dynamics of higher education as well as the
challenges students and educators now face as the COVID-19 pandemic
further alters the learning landscape," said Andrew Clark, Founder, President and CEO of
Zovio. "That is why we're excited to partner with University of Arizona in support of their vision to
expand access and provide innovative learning solutions to help the
University of Arizona meet students
where they are."
This transaction is an important step in Zovio's strategic goal
of becoming an education technology services company. Zovio will
continue providing excellent education technology services to The
University of Arizona Global Campus,
while at the same time, pursuing diversified growth as a provider
of technology and services to other institutions, corporations, and
learners.
Through acquisition of Ashford
University, the non-profit University
of Arizona Global Campus will expand University of Arizona's reach and ability to
provide access to more underrepresented and nontraditional students
and new populations of students across the United States and around the world.
"As students look for new avenues to attain higher education,
the accessibility and innovative approach of The University of Arizona Global Campus will help a new
generation of Wildcats find success. By establishing The
University of Arizona Global Campus,
the University of Arizona will greatly
expand its reach and live up to its responsibility as a land-grant
university to provide access to quality education, including to
working adults, full-time parents, military service members, and
other underrepresented students," said Dr. Robert Robbins, 22nd president of the
University of Arizona. "We will do
so with an unwavering commitment to students and their
success."
Zovio's promise of high-quality virtual learning, access, and
inclusivity will be combined with the University of Arizona's heritage as a land-grant
institution focused on student success. The University of Arizona Global Campus will focus on
serving underrepresented and non-traditional students such as
veterans or those who work or parent full time and who are in need
of flexible pathways to advance their education or learn new
skills. As this student population turns increasingly to online
platforms for higher education and institutions seek to make
classes available to more students, The University of Arizona Global Campus will meet
students wherever they are in their educational journey.
"The University of Arizona Global
Campus truly represents a forward-thinking approach to higher
education. It's the kind of innovative partnership that gives
traditional public universities the opportunity to provide more
students with access to education while also serving an expansive
array of constituents far beyond the traditional campus," said
Gregory Geoffrey, Chair of the
Board of Trustees at Ashford University
and former President of Iowa State
University. "The University of
Arizona, through The University of
Arizona Global Campus, will be able to more fully deliver on
its mission to serve a broad community of working adults, veterans,
and other non-traditional students and ensure a new high-quality
option for all students looking to build a better future. The
University of Arizona Global Campus
will leverage developing technologies, new tools, and the expertise
of educators committed to rigorous academic programs to give
students a truly enriching online educational experience."
"The University of Arizona is making
a smart move, consistent with its core mission, in expanding its
ability to serve non-traditional students through Global Campus.
And, of course, this is great news for students, who will benefit
both by the affiliation with the University of
Arizona and by access to a high-quality education consistent
with the principles of a top public research university," said
John Sexton, former President of
New York University.
The University of Arizona has a
135-year record of providing student-centric high-quality education
to all classes of students -- through more than 250 undergraduate
majors and graduate programs, premier research university
facilities and resources, and an internationally recognized faculty
committed to student success. Building on its experience through
Arizona Online and in keeping with its land-grant responsibility to
provide access, the expansion of The University of Arizona Global Campus will enable
University of Arizona to reach students
beyond its current student body, beyond Arizona, and beyond traditional education
modalities.
Ashford University is accredited by
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Ashford University leads the nation for the number
of courses certified by Quality Matters, an independent non-profit,
quality assurance organization. According to the independent
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), Ashford students
experienced an academic challenge higher than that of the top 10%
of other institutions participating in the NSSE survey for higher
order learning, learning strategies, and effective teaching
practices.
About Zovio
Zovio (Nasdaq: ZVO) is an education
technology services company that partners with higher education
institutions and employers to deliver innovative, personalized
solutions to help learners and leaders achieve their aspirations.
The Zovio network, which includes Fullstack Academy, TutorMe, and
Learn@Forbes, leverages its core strengths and applies its
technology and capabilities to priority market needs. Using
advanced data and analytics, Zovio identifies the most meaningful
ways to enhance the learner experience and deliver strong outcomes
for higher education institutions, employers, and learners. Zovio's
purpose is to help everyone be in a class of their own. For more
information, visit www.zovio.com.
About University of
Arizona
The University of
Arizona, a land-grant university with two independently
accredited medical schools, is one of the nation's top public
universities, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Established in 1885, the university is widely recognized as a
student-centric university and has been designated as a Hispanic
Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The
university ranked in the top 20 in 2018 in research expenditures
among all public universities, according to the National Science
Foundation, and is a leading Research 1 institution with
$687 million in annual research
expenditures. The university advances the frontiers of
interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships as a
member of the Association of American Universities, the 65 leading
public and private research universities in the U.S. It benefits
the state with an estimated economic impact of $4.1 billion annually. For the latest on the
University of Arizona response to the
novel coronavirus, visit the university's COVID-19 webpage.
About Ashford University
Ashford University is a recognized
leader and innovator in distance learning and online education.
Ashford is designed to meet the needs of working students, offering
programs most often sought by those whose primary educational goals
relate to developing professional and career-relevant competencies.
Flexible schedules, innovative delivery, and accessible academic
support tools help working students balance busy lives with
academic studies. Ashford offers associate, bachelor's,
master's, and doctoral degree programs. For more
information, please visit www.ashford.edu,
www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, or
www.twitter.com/AshfordU.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Alanna Vitucci
alanna.vitucci@zovio.com
858 668 2586 x11636
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