University of Phoenix and the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) today announced the three National Guard officers who have been awarded full-tuition master’s degree scholarships to the University as part of the NGAUS Scholarship program. This is the fourth year University of Phoenix has offered the scholarship to eligible NGAUS members. The scholarships were awarded to Army and Air National Guardsmen and NGAUS members ranked lieutenant colonel (O-5) and below.

University of Phoenix NGAUS Scholarship recipients are:

  • 1st Lieutenant Lindsey Hardenstine, holds bachelor’s degrees in nursing and health care administration and is a member of the Delaware Air National Guard Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Squadron. She will pursue a master’s of science in nursing at University of Phoenix and hopes to become an AE squadron commander. She served as an enlisted member of the Air National Guard for 10 years and as a commissioned officer for four years.
  • Captain Chad Morgan, an Air National Guardsman with 18 years of service, began his career after high school as an aircraft maintenance management analyst for the Tennessee Air National Guard before resigning to attend Officer Candidate School. Morgan also served as a manpower management analyst studying aircraft maintenance. He now is a squadron commander and wants to use his master’s of business administration from University of Phoenix to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the isochronal process.
  • Major Jerome Guerrero, will pursue a master’s of business administration from University of Phoenix. Guerrero serves as a field grade officer in the Nevada Air National Guard and plans to retire with 25 active years at the rank of colonel and transition to a corporate-level civilian career. He plans to use his experience to improve logistical and personnel management by shortening time frames for deliverables, and better matching personnel to duties and responsibilities.

According to a 2014 military demographics report1, the highest level of education for 83 percent of enlisted U.S. Reserve and National Guard members is a high school diploma or some college. More than half of officers have a bachelor’s degree and 33 percent have an advanced degree. University of Phoenix and NGAUS understand the need to educate National Guard officers to help them enhance their military and civilian careers and distinguish themselves in today’s competitive employment landscape.

“University of Phoenix is proud to partner with The National Guard Association of the United States to recognize the achievements of their officers and provide them an opportunity to enhance their education and careers,” said Adam Such, U.S. Army lieutenant colonel (Ret.) and University of Phoenix vice president of Military and Veterans Affairs. “National Guard officers embody the type of student we look for at University of Phoenix. They’re dedicated, hard-working and disciplined and it is truly our honor to welcome them to the Phoenix family.”

To date, University of Phoenix has awarded 14 full-tuition master’s scholarships to NGAUS members. To be eligible for an NGAUS Scholarship at University of Phoenix, applicants must be actively affiliated with NGAUS. Recipients are selected by a committee that reviews three essays on how a University of Phoenix degree will help advance long-term educational goals, community service achievements, and a personal reflection of how an experience influenced professional development.

For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit: phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.

For more information about University of Phoenix, please visit www.phoenix.edu.

1 Source: Military OneSource “2014 Demographics: Profile of the Military Community,” 2014, http://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2014-Demographics-Report.pdf

About NGAUS

The National Guard Association of the United States is the nation’s oldest military association lobbying solely for the benefit of the National Guard of the United States and educating the public about the Guard’s role and history in the Armed Forces of the United States. It was formed by militia officers in 1878 to obtain better equipment and training by petitioning Congress for more resources. For more information, visit http://www.ngaus.org/.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, 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.