Denver, Feb. 11, 2011 – Westwood College (www.westwood.edu) is pleased to announce the Westwood 100 (www.westwood100.com), Volume 1 – a collection of personal success stories from 100 Westwood College alumni. These Westwood 100 graduates proudly tell their stories of how they have transformed their lives and found a fulfilling career by obtaining their college degree.
Westwood College is thrilled to share the stories of its graduates through a new interactive website and in a commemorative book that features individual stories about the power of determination in pursuit of an education. The Westwood 100 serve as ambassadors for the thousands of Westwood College graduates who have gained real-world experience from classes led by industry professionals, enabling them launch, change or transform their careers.
“Our entire institution is honored to be able to share the extraordinary personal journeys of resilience and determination that embodies the Westwood graduate spirit,” said David Borofsky, Chief Academic Officer. “These Westwood 100 graduates represent a small but powerful fraction of the more than 24,000 Westwood College alumni nationwide, serving as role models who demonstrate the crucial role that education serves in taking control of your future.”
Westwood 100 testimonials will be presented in various formats including personal profiles, photos and videos that will be featured on the new website. The stories represent the diverse student population of Westwood College and provide straightforward, first person insights into the overwhelming obstacles and challenges many people face when making a decision about furthering their education.
Collectively the Westwood 100 have faced numerous challenges head-on in order to earn their degrees—lack of family and peer support, single parent childcare obligations, juggling multiple jobs or lack of transportation to and from campus. Nearly half of the students attending Westwood are single parents and most are working either full- or part-time while getting their education. More than 60 percent of students are the first in their families to pursue a higher education degree. Despite the numerous obstacles, these graduates would not allow their situations to hold them back from realizing their ultimate dream of earning a degree.
“I knew an education would guide me, not only into having a job, but into a career that would set me up for success. I wanted to learn hands-on and still get my bachelor’s degree at the same time – that’s why I chose Westwood,” said Efrain Gastelum, a Westwood 100 Computer Network Management graduate. “It’s so competitive out there that if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree or some kind of certification you’re really short on luck. I’m now doing exactly what I love to do and being paid to do it.”
Westwood College congratulates these exceptional men and women featured in this first volume of Westwood 100 and looks forward to celebrating the successes of all our graduates for years to come.
To learn more about the Westwood 100 program go to Westwood 100. You can also watch testimonial videos of select Westwood 100 graduates on Westwood’s YouTube channel.
About Westwood College
Westwood College is a place where students can succeed. As an institution of higher learning, Westwood delivers career-focused education to prepare individuals to launch, enhance or change careers and transform their lives. Westwood offers flexible and convenient daytime, evening and online classes for students interested in a three-year bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in business, technology, justice, design or health care. Based in Denver, Westwood has 17 campuses in six states, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Virginia and Texas, as well as an online school, and currently serves more than 15,000 students. Each Westwood College campus is accredited by either the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). For more information, visit www.westwood.edu.