Walden University Announces The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership

Walden University Announces The Richard W. Riley College of Education and
Leadership
Former Secretary of Education to Address University Graduates at Feb. 2
Commencement

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Walden University, one of the
nation's largest providers of graduate degrees to educators, has named its
College of Education after Richard W. Riley, former Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Education and a leading advocate in advancing education as a
national priority. The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at
Walden University is the largest online college of education in the nation,
with more than 15,000 students currently enrolled in its master's and doctoral
programs as well as more than 17,000 alumni.
"Walden is honored to name its College of Education after Secretary Riley,
an esteemed leader with an outstanding legacy of improving access to
education. His tireless commitment to all students and his focus on diversity
in education are ideals shared by our university as well as by our students
and graduates as they use their degrees to make a real difference in their
communities," said Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., president of Walden University.
Secretary Riley will give the commencement address at Walden's winter
commencement ceremonies on Feb. 2. He will also receive an honorary Doctor of
Humane Letters degree from the university, which will celebrate the graduation
of more than 3,000 Walden students from all 50 states and 11 countries.
Walden University's Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership
supports the needs of educators at all levels, from preschool through higher
education, and at various stages of their profession, including career
changers interested in pursuing teaching, new and veteran classroom teachers,
and experienced faculty and administrators.
"Walden University has long been a leader in providing graduate degrees to
educators, and I am honored to become formally associated with my friends
there. Walden is an innovative institution that has succeeded in bringing
quality, accessible education to our workforce of teachers, administrators and
other education professionals. I am proud to be affiliated with an institution
that is a force in K-12 education, has shown commitment to diversity, and has
a focus on early childhood education," Secretary Riley said.
Secretary Riley has focused on improving education for nearly 30 years,
first as governor of South Carolina and then nationwide when President Clinton
selected him to head the U.S. Department of Education in December 1992. As the
nation's top education administrator over the course of two terms, Secretary
Riley helped launch historic initiatives to raise academic standards in all 50
states, improve instruction for the poor and disadvantaged, and expand grant
and loan programs to help more Americans pursue higher education.
During Secretary Riley's eight years at the helm, the U.S. Department of
Education focused on creating the Partnership for Family Involvement in
Education, modernizing old school buildings as well as constructing new ones,
and reducing class sizes for children in grades one to three. Secretary
Riley's other accomplishments include promoting grants to create smaller
schools, expanding after-school programs, and bridging the digital divide. He
also helped win improvements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act. He is currently co-chair of the National Commission on Teaching and
America's Future, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to
improving teaching quality nationwide, and vice chair of the Carnegie
Corporation of New York Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of
Directors of the KnowledgeWorks Foundation, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based
organization that seeks through innovative, hands-on methods to improve public
K-12 education and increase access to college.
Secretary Riley's Walden commencement address will be given at 1:30
p.m.Feb. 2 in Adam's Mark Hotel in Dallas. His address can be viewed live via
webcast at www.WaldenU.edu.
For more information about The Richard W. Riley College of Education and
Leadership at Walden University, visit www.WaldenU.edu.
About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the
opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this
comprehensive, accredited online university offers master's and doctoral
degrees in education, psychology, management, public policy and
administration, and health and human services-as well as master's programs in
engineering and IT and a bachelor's program in business. Walden University is
a member of Laureate International Universities, the largest global network of
accredited campus-based and online universities. For more information, visit
www.WaldenU.edu.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a
member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org; 312-263-0456.
SOURCE Walden University

Ana Sanchez for Walden University, +1-410-843-8083,
ana.sanchez@laureate-inc.com