HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Strayer University, a leading postsecondary institution for working adults, is pleased to announce that Tawanda “Wa-Wa” Jones of Camden, N.J., has been awarded a full scholarship to earn a bachelor’s degree. The surprise announcement was made recently during the Steve Harvey daytime show’s “Harvey’s Heroes” segment, which honors exceptional community leaders.
“I have always pushed my kids to follow their dreams and continue their education because I believe a degree has the power to change lives”Tweet this
“I have always pushed my kids to follow their dreams and continue their education because I believe a degree has the power to change lives”
Jones, 40, a native of Camden, N.J., founded Camden Sophisticated Sisters (CSS), a non-profit dance and drill team that provides a safe haven to at-risk youth in one of the most dangerous cities in America. She began CSS when she was 15 years old after seeing the influence of violence and drugs on the children in the community. Since its founding, Tawanda has worked with more than 4,000 children, and today the group includes more than 300 boys and girls, as well as the Brothers of CSS (DBz) and The Almighty Percussion Sound (TAPS) drumline.
Education is a priority for Jones, who requires Camden Sophisticated Sisters to maintain at least an above ‘C’ grade average. She has seen a 100 percent graduation rate for her high school team members, a statistic that is above the city’s average 49 percent four-year graduation rate, according to 2012 data from the New Jersey Board of Education. Additionally, Jones regularly takes her teams to perform at and tour universities so they can learn about the doors that earning a degree can open for them.
Jones says that the only thing she regrets is not finishing her own college degree. She began taking college courses after high school but withdrew during her second year to move back home and care for her ailing grandfather.
“I have always pushed my kids to follow their dreams and continue their education because I believe a degree has the power to change lives,” Jones said. “I was willing to put my dreams on hold to take care of others, but earning a degree from Strayer University will give me the skills and background I need to give back to my community in even greater ways.”
Camden Sophisticated Sisters was recently featured on Dancing with the Stars, and Jones is a finalist to be named CNN’s 2013 Hero of the Year. She plans to seek a degree in business and use her education to open a youth activity center in Camden.
In addition to a full scholarship, Strayer University awarded Jones $10,000 to help with expenses while going back to school. She will attend Strayer University’s campus in Center City in downtown Philadelphia.
“We are honored to have Tawanda join the Strayer University family as a student,” said Dr. Michael Plater, president of Strayer University. “We know that her experiences and background will serve as both motivation and inspiration to all our students, faculty and staff who meet her. We look forward to being a part of Tawanda’s journey and seeing her realize her academic dreams.”
Celebrating more than 120 years since its founding in Baltimore in 1892, Strayer University offers relevant and rigorous academic programs to working adults, first-generation college students and others who may not have access to higher education, preparing them for success in today’s competitive job market. Strayer University graduates earn degrees in programs ranging from business administration and accounting to education and information systems.
“Steve Harvey,” which has connected with millions with its blend of common sense advice and humor, is produced by Endemol USA with Steve Harvey, Alex Duda and Rushion McDonald serving as executive producers. The hit show is cleared in 98 percent of the country, including all of the NBC Owned Television Stations, and is distributed in national syndication by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution. “Steve Harvey” is taped before a live studio audience at the state-of-the-art HD NBC 5 studios in downtown Chicago.
***MEDIA NOTE: To speak with Tawanda Jones or Dr. Michael Plater, please contact Cristina Henley at cristina.henley@strayer.edu, work: (703) 561-1913, or cell: (703) 431-3691.
To learn more about the Camden Sophisticated Sisters organization, visit www.cssdrillteam.org or call (267) 231-0175.
About Strayer University
Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been in operation since 1892. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, economics, information systems, information technology, human resource management, education, health services administration, public administration, management and criminal justice to working adult students at 100 campuses in 24 states and Washington, D.C., as well as worldwide via the Internet. Strayer University also offers an executive MBA online through its Jack Welch Management Institute. For more information, visit www.strayer.edu or call 1-888-4-STRAYER (888-478-7293).