University of Phoenix Partners with HandsOn Network to Provide Innovative Volunteer...

University of Phoenix Partners with HandsOn Network to Provide Innovative
Volunteer Leadership Training

ATLANTA, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix is
answering the Presidential call to service through a partnership with HandsOn
Network to help develop a new nation of volunteer leaders. With their
experiences, resources, online learning platform and commitment to service,
University of Phoenix will partner with HandsOn Network to transform the
capacity of people to take action and self-organize.

Corporate and education leaders, nonprofit executives and elected officials at
all levels have embraced service as a key strategy to meet social needs,
especially in tough economic times. The volunteer workforce has become an
undeniable force of human capital growing stronger and more impactful in our
nation every day.

HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, has
witnessed a huge outpouring of new civic and volunteer engagement. Their
national network of 250 volunteer management and connector organizations has
seen a 43% increase in volunteers registering to serve this year and a 58%
increase in people signing up for new volunteer opportunities. In the first
six months of 2009, the HandsOn Action Center network made more than 100,000
unique opportunities available for volunteers to serve, which represents a 29%
increase from the same time in 2008.

"People from all sectors are answering the Presidential call to service to
tackle and solve the nation's toughest problems," said Michelle Nunn, CEO of
Points of Light Institute and co-founder of HandsOn Network. "Now we need to
strengthen our civic infrastructure and ensure that we take advantage of the
upsurge in volunteerism to support our over-burdened social service agencies.
University of Phoenix's support is critical to this mission."

An essential step is to enable more volunteer leaders. There is a vast
volunteer network that must be developed and mobilized to lead efforts,
develop additional leaders and motivate others to engage in service.

To support this increasing civic need, University of Phoenix, the largest
private university in North America, will create virtual volunteer leader
training classes, co-convene a self-organizing summit to empower those who
stand ready to focus on specific community needs and assist with other key
service initiatives. Through University of Phoenix's partnership with HandsOn
Network, citizens who are interested in volunteering with established local
organizations, or in creating volunteer efforts to fulfill needs that are not
being met, can enroll in online courses for leadership development.

"The upside of this down economy is that people who have not been involved in
service before are reaching out to make a difference in the community around
them," said Chas Edelstein, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Group, Inc.,
parent company of University of Phoenix. "At University of Phoenix, we
recognize that we can develop the leadership skills of those interested in
supporting causes that are the most relevant and needed."

In addition to its support for HandsOn University, University of Phoenix is
supporting USA WEEKEND Magazine's "Make a Difference Day" on October 24 by
encouraging its students, staff, alumni and faculty to provide leadership and
service through volunteerism to make a lasting difference in communities
across the country.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance
education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules,
challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and
career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. During the quarter
ending May 31, 2009, 420,700 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix,
the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves
a diverse student population, offering associate's, 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.

About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is
the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn
Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation's population and extend
to ten countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000
corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to
serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately
30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million. For more
information, visit handsonnetwork.org.

For more information, contact Jennifer Geckler, HandsOn Network,
jgeckler@handsonnetwork.org.

SOURCE HandsOn Network

Jennifer Geckler of HandsOn Network, +1-404-979-2941,
JGeckler@handsonnetwork.org, or Manny Rivera of University of Phoenix,
manny.rivera@apollogrp.edu