(Burbank, CA ­ August 7, 2002) Woodbury University, in a cooperative arrangement with Los Angeles Valley College, will receive $3 million from the U.S. Department of Education during the next five years to help Hispanic students succeed in earning bachelor's degrees.

The Cooperative Collegiate Connections project is designed to increase the number of Hispanic students transferring from Los Angeles Valley College, a public, two-year institution, to Woodbury University, a private, four-year institution.

The schools will use the grant to streamline transfers with online systems that students can easily access and create programs to improve academic success, retention, transfer and graduation of students at both Valley College and Woodbury. Connections centers also will be established at both campuses—located only six miles apart—to offer information and services to students who are considering transferring or have already transferred.

"Woodbury is pleased to be recognized by the Department of Education for our commitment to helping Hispanic students achieve their academic dreams," says Kenneth R. Nielsen, Ed.D., president, Woodbury University. "Hispanic students will have significantly increased opportunities to transfer from the community college setting and earn bachelor's degrees that lead to jobs in high-paying, in-demand professional fields."

Congressmen Adam Schiff, Howard Berman and Brad Sherman and Senator Barbara Boxer all urged federal funding of the project.

"I am proud to support these institutions' partnering to improve the retention, transfer and graduation of their students," says Congressman Adam Schiff. "This grant will provide Woodbury and Los Angeles Valley College with the resources they need to ensure the access and success of Hispanic students. Through this grant, the pathway to a promising future for these students will be made just a little easier."

Transfer from a community college to a private university is becoming the most viable option for aspiring students in California, Woodbury's Dr. Nielsen adds. Demographic projections show a "tidal wave" of college-aged young people, notably Hispanics. Statewide, 18-24-year-olds are expected to increase annually through 2010 and grow twice as rapidly as California's general population. This surge of students leaves many transfer-oriented students nowhere to go in the overcrowded state university system, leaving private universities as their best choice.

"Many students mistakenly think they cannot afford the tuition of a private university," says Dr. Nielsen. "This Title V grant will give Woodbury new opportunities to reach out to these students so that they can attain their educational and professional goals."

Funded under Title V of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) program aims to enhance the academic offerings, program quality and stability of institutions educating a significant percentage of Hispanic students. Approximately 30 percent of Woodbury's students are Hispanic.

Founded in 1884, Woodbury University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Southern California. An accredited, nonprofit university, Woodbury is located on a 22-acre residential campus in Burbank and offers bachelor's degrees from the School of Architecture and Design, Business and Management, and Arts and Sciences. Woodbury also offers a master of business administration as well as weekend and evening study for working adults. A San Diego campus was established in 1998 to offer bachelor of architecture degrees.