Press Release

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE SELECTS THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION FOR FACULTY TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Washington, D.C. (Oct. 26, 2007) – Of course the leading career education companies know that one of the most important strategic priorities to achieve growth is increasing the capabilities of their workforce. And thanks to the new relationship with Imagine America Foundation’s Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), Universal Technical Institute is able to maximize its faculty performance and student retention.

Formed through a strategic partnership between the Imagine America Foundation and MaxKnowledge, Inc., the CEE provides turnkey employee development solutions for career college operators with the ultimate goal of increasing organizational performance and enhancing student success.

“The Imagine America Foundation’s Center for Excellence in Education has developed an unparalleled professional educator development program for the career college sector of higher education,” said Ron Obstfeld, vice president of Learning and Development at the Universal Technical Institute, Inc. “UTI chose to work with CEE following a thorough review and evaluation of all the components of its program. CEE goes beyond stand-alone training courses to offer comprehensive interactive, professional educator development solutions that turn training into performance. We look at CEE as our strategic partner in maximizing our instructional staff’s performance and student outcomes.”

Nearly 1,000 UTI instructors will be participating in CEE’s online faculty development program, with activities including knowledge assessments, training courses, performance forums, learning webinars and success tutorials. The program is designed to turn professional training into performance.

“The Imagine America Foundation's commitment to the enhancement of continuing education and training opportunities goes back to its original charter established 25 years ago,” said Robert L. Martin, president of the Imagine America Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with Universal Technical Institute.”

The faculty development program incorporates the competency standards identified by the Career College Association and Imagine America Foundation taskforce and the instructional skill competencies identified by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

“UTI is a quality-driven institution,” said Dr. Amir Moghadam, president and CEO of MaxKnowledge. “They truly recognize the value of human capital and have put together an impressive learning and development infrastructure within their organization. We were particularly impressed by their high standards in their systematic evaluation of CEE’s faculty development program. We are honored to be working with such a forward-thinking career education institution in their exceptional efforts to foster workplace learning and performance for student success and business results.”

For further information about the CEE, please visit www.iaf-cee.org.

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The Imagine America Foundation (IAF), established in 1982, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarship, research and training support for the career college sector. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $37 million in scholarship and award support for graduating high school seniors, adult learners and U.S. military veterans attending career colleges nationwide through its award-winning Imagine America® programs. The Foundation also publishes vital research publications for the higher education sector, honors achievement in career education and offers faculty development. For more information about the Imagine America Foundation’s programs, please visit www.imagine-america.org..