Top Executive Partners with America's Promise Alliance and DeVry Inc. to Combat the Nation's Dropout Crisis

Downers Grove, Ill., Aug 25, 2010 -- Lisa Pickrum, chief operating officer and executive vice president of the RLJ Companies announced a campaign to address the high school dropout crisis in America. Pickrum will be running both the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon in October to raise funds for the America's Promise Alliance's Grad Nation campaign.

Pickrum will hit the road in October and run 52.4 miles, with the goal of raising more than $100,000. One hundred percent of the funds will benefit the America's Promise Alliance and DeVry Inc. partnership initiative to expand Advantage Academies across the country. The Advantage Academy offers high school students both high school and college-level courses during a student's final two years of high school. Students graduating from the Academy earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree, which provides additional incentive for students to complete their high school education.

"Finishing what you start is critical to accomplishing your goals throughout life," Pickrum said. "My goal is to inspire high school students and encourage them to set big goals, strive for success, and never drop out of the race."

"The Grad Nation campaign is the most ambitious initiative America's Promise Alliance has ever undertaken, and it is the most critical because the future of our nation depends on whether our young people graduate from high school," said Marguerite Kondracke, president and chief executive officer of America's Promise Alliance. "The dropout crisis affects us all, which is why we must all be a part of the solution. Large or small, there is something we can all do and Lisa's efforts are proof of that. We're grateful to her for her time and commitment and we hope that you will support her and our Grad Nation campaign."

"DeVry is fortunate to have Lisa as a board member and her dedication to helping stem America's dropout crisis is yet more proof of her commitment to education and opportunity for young people everywhere," said Daniel Hamburger, president and CEO of DeVry Inc. "Funds raised in this effort will go a long way toward developing new Advantage Academies and giving kids the tools they need to graduate high school."

To support Lisa's campaign, please visit americaspromise.org click on the "Donate Today" tab, and enter Lisa's name in the "In Tribute To" section. Donations are tax deductible. Follow Lisa's journey to impact the nation's dropout crisis on Facebook (Lisa Pickrum) and Twitter at @Lisapickrum.

About Lisa Pickrum Lisa Pickrum is Chief Operating Officer of The RLJ Companies, a diversified holding company with portfolio companies in the financial services, asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, and gaming industries. Ms. Pickrum was recently named one of the "75 Most Powerful Women in Business" by Black Enterprise (BE) magazine. She was also named by ESSENCE magazine to the 2008 Power List; named as BE magazine's "Most Powerful Players under 40" in December 2007; and named "Top 50 Women of Power in Business" in the BE February 2006 issue.
Currently, Ms. Pickrum serves on the following boards: DeVry Inc.; RolloverSystems, Inc.; the RLJ McLarty Group; Urban Trust Holdings, and Urban Trust Bank. Ms. Pickrum also serves on the Federal Communications Commission Diversity Committee.

About DeVry University Advantage Academy The first DeVry University Advantage Academy opened in Chicago in 2004, and a second program started in Columbus, Ohio in 2006. Approximately 500 students have graduated from the two schools. Students enter Advantage Academy at the start of their junior year and complete two academic years and one summer term. At the conclusion of the program, students have earned their high school diploma and an associate degree in either Network Systems Administration or Web Graphic Design. Most students go on to bachelor's degree programs either at DeVry University or other public or private universities. The Advantage Academy model is flexible to meet the needs of individual school districts. DeVry faculty teach all college courses and high school classes are taught by certified high school educators. School districts can determine whether to establish a cohort program for all students or allow students from different schools to travel for college-level coursework. For example, in Chicago, all classes are taught at Advantage Academy, a stand-alone, certified Chicago Public Schools high school with its own principal located on DeVry University's Chicago campus. In Columbus, students take high school courses at their own high school and travel to DeVry for college classes.

About DeVry Inc. DeVry's purpose is to empower its students to achieve their educational and career goals. DeVry /quotes/comstock/13*!dv/quotes/nls/dv (DV 38.64, +0.20, +0.52%) is a global provider of educational services and the parent organization of Advanced Academics, Becker Professional Education, Carrington College, Carrington College California, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University, and Ross University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. These institutions offer a wide array of programs in business, healthcare and technology and serve students in secondary through postsecondary education as well as accounting and finance professionals. For more information, please call 630.353.3800 or visit http://www.devryinc.com.

About America's Promise Alliance America's Promise Alliance is the nation's largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth. Through the collective power of our partner network, we raise awareness, support communities and engage in nonpartisan advocacy to ensure that young people receive more of the fundamental resources they need to graduate high school prepared for college, work and life. Building on the legacy of our Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, the Alliance believes the success of our young people is grounded in the Five Promises--caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others. For more information about America's Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.

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