University of Phoenix Foundation and Roadtrip Nation Join to Create Real-World Learning Experiences

University of Phoenix Foundation and Roadtrip Nation Join to Create Real-World Learning Experiences for At-Risk Youth

The organizations will collaborate on a career exploration curriculum for underserved young adults in out-of-school programs across the country

PHOENIX & COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix Foundation and Roadtrip Nation today announced their continued relationship to serve young adult learners with learning experiences that can help them link their interests and studies to real-world career opportunities. The two organizations have worked together since 2010 to help young people learn the skills they need for the future in the classroom by connecting their studies to the current and coming demands of the job market.

Roadtrip Nation creates resources to help individuals build meaningful lives and careers around their interests by offering select young adults a chance to interview inspiring leaders across the country on a filmed road trip for the public television series entitled Roadtrip Nation. Through the support of University of Phoenix Foundation, three chosen 'Roadtrippers' searching for their next steps in life will embark on an 8-week cross-country journey in Roadtrip Nation's Green RV, stopping in various cities to interview leaders who have turned their passions into careers.

"We started Roadtrip Nation because we didn't feel like there were any resources in school that could truly empower students to explore what was possible for their future. That was the genesis of our first University of Phoenix and Roadtrip Nation Join to Help At-Risk Youth Roadtrip, to get outside our comfort zones and connect with Leaders to learn how they got to where they are today," said Mike Marriner, co-founder of Roadtrip Nation. "We're proud to once again work with the University of Phoenix Foundation to continue this mission."

The life advice interviewed leaders share will be transmitted to thousands of students through a new joint curriculum developed by Roadtrip Nation and University of Phoenix, helping guide young adults in discovering pathways aligned with their interests. This new project-based curriculum will be tailored to young adults, enabling them to engage in self-reflection exercises to identify their interests, and will gain exposure to educational and career pathways through Roadtrip Nation's vast interview archive. Themes explored in the curriculum will cover issues relevant to at-risk young adults, such as single parenting, drug addiction and recovery, veteran integration and more. The curriculum will also send students out on their own "Roadtrips" to interview local leaders in their communities who share their interests.

Cameras will capture the experience as the Roadtrippers travel the United States and engage in candid interviews with leaders about their life journeys. These interviews will get to the root of what it takes to create a fulfilling career by unearthing the leaders' struggles, successes, and how they overcame obstacles to forge unique career paths. By engaging in dialogues with those that have found success, the Roadtrippers will learn more about themselves, and how they can incorporate their passions into viable, satisfying livelihoods.

The selected Roadtrippers—all students or recent college graduates—each share the desire to broaden their perspectives and gain exposure to different lifestyles and philosophies. Olivia, a University of Phoenix student, hopes the wisdom of leaders will guide her in making decisions for her future that reflect her values and goals. Tele'jon, a former student who completed Roadtrip Nation's career exploration curriculum, hopes this immerse experience will introduce him to pathways he never even knew existed. Ed, a native Brit who lives with his parents in England, seeks to explore the world outside his comfort zone and see the breadth of possibilities that exist in the world.

"Once again, we are proud to work with Roadtrip Nation in providing these individuals with an opportunity of a lifetime in discovering their path," said Pat Gottfried, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Apollo Group and executive director of the University of Phoenix Foundation. "Most importantly, this experience will provide invaluable tools, resources and inspiration for those out there still struggling to understand how to turn their passions and interests into a meaningful career."

The Roadtrippers aren't the only ones who will learn from this unique experience. Since Roadtrip Nation will air on public television stations across the country, the Roadtrippers' voyage will inspire viewers who are similarly seeking answers to life questions.

By bringing the real world into the classroom and helping students match up their personal interests to potential careers, University of Phoenix and Roadtrip Nation hope to increase the relevancy of students' studies and keep young people engaged in their futures. Roadtrip Nation programs already have a proven track record of improving student behavior and performance. According to a 2012 study conducted by the Educational Policy Improvement Center, Roadtrip Nation students demonstrated marked improvement in self-efficacy, and increased their GPAs at twice the rate of non-Roadtrip Nation students over a 9-month period.

Apollo Group, parent company of University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix Foundation, is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen by serving communities and individuals across the country. Through its corporate social responsibility efforts, Apollo Group focuses on giving in the areas of education, workforce readiness and sustainability. To learn more about the impact of these efforts, please visit http://csrreport.apollo.edu/.

To follow the Roadtrippers on their upcoming adventure and learn more about Roadtrip Nation, visit www.facebook.com/RoadtripNation and follow on Twitter @GreenRV.

About Roadtrip Nation
Roadtrip Nation (RTN) is an independent organization that empowers students to define their own Roads in life through resources such as its annual public television series, live campus events, nationally publicized books, online multi-media content, and innovative educational curriculum. RTN's extension into education, RoadtripNation.org, serves to help at-risk students in disadvantaged communities gain access and exposure to life pathways that they may have otherwise not known existed. Through self-discovery curricula that emphasize experiential learning, students are able to draw connections between school and the real world, motivating them to remain engaged in the educational process.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Group, Inc. (NAS: APOL) , University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.

University of Phoenix
Christopher Fielder, 847-285-2608
christopher.fielder@apollogrp.edu
or
Roadtrip Nation
Jason Manion, 949-764-9121 x207
jason@roadtripnation.com

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