Capella University Fellows Program to Foster a New Generation of Leaders in the Twin Cities

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Seven finalists of community-based organizations and service-oriented organizations to receive full scholarships to pursue a master's degree with the university

Today, Capella University announced the winners of the Capella Fellows Program, awarding seven promising Minneapolis-St. Paul community members full-tuition scholarships to a Capella master's degree program of their choice. Members of the cohort will also receive a leadership assessment, expert coaching and access to networking opportunities. The program aims to support those who will use what they learn to help mitigate social and economic inequities in the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.

The winners include:

  • Ayan Abdinur, African Development Center
  • Maria Ayala Ramirez, Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES)
  • Kendall Benson, Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
  • Jennifer Christianson, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
  • Rebecca Lopez, Avivo
  • Ben Phillip, Summit Academy OIC
  • Nou Vang, AchieveMpls

The cohort will begin classes in January 2019.

"When one person receives a quality education, they're able to bring the lessons they learn to their families, friends, workplaces, and broader community," Dick Senese, President of Capella University, said. "At Capella, we're honored to be working with cornerstone organizations in the Twin Cities –cultural and economic development groups, local government, and major employers – on our Fellows Program to have a positive impact on our community and region through the power of education and applied scholarship."

"The amount of economic growth we've seen recently in the Twin Cities is remarkable – 17 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here and we're home to many healthcare, STEM and manufacturing jobs. Education is the keystone of much of this growth,"1 Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis, said. "We're proud to partner with Capella University to help foster even more community leaders."2

Employees of 31 community-based organizations, service-oriented organizations, and select Capella University employer partner organizations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area agreed to participate as a Capella University Fellows Founding Partner and were invited to apply to the program.

"In this competitive environment, we must be laser-focused on attracting and retaining the best and brightest talent. We need the Minneapolis-St. Paul region and our entire state to be a finely-tuned economic engine that supports innovation and growth," said Jonathan Weinhagen, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. "The Capella Fellows Program recognizes some of the brightest talent in our communities and provides life-changing educational opportunities so these leaders can address the most pressing social challenges we face."

The selection committee included nine leaders representing non-profit leadership, prominent foundations, and government entities, including the Minneapolis Mayor's Office, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Bush Foundation, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Hennepin County, St. Paul and Minneapolis Foundations, Capella University's former Board Chair Dr. Marcia Ballinger, and Capella University alumni.

About Capella University: Capella University (www.capella.edu) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1993, the university is dedicated to providing flexible, professionally aligned online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers. Known for its commitment to learner success, academic quality and innovations in online education, Capella pioneered competency-based direct assessment programs allowing students to learn at their own pace. For more information, call 1.888.CAPELLA (888.227.3552).

About Strategic Education: Strategic Education, Inc. STRA is dedicated to enabling economic mobility with education. We serve working adult students through a range of educational opportunities that include: Strayer University and Capella University (separate institutions that are each regionally accredited), which collectively offer flexible and affordable associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs; a Top 25 Princeton Review-ranked online MBA program through the Jack Welch Management Institute; self-paced courses for college credit through Sophia; customized degrees for corporations through Degrees@Work; and non-degree web and mobile application development courses through DevMountain, Generation Code, Hackbright Academy, and The New York Code + Design Academy. These programs help our students prepare for success in today's jobs and find a path to bettering their lives.

1 https://www.greatermsp.org/doing-business-here/key-industries/
2 https://www.greatermsp.org/living-here/education/

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Posted In: Press Releases
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