Ashford University sent nine of its top online students to a special luncheon featuring author and television personality Suze Orman. The nine selected students are all San Diego residents who attend Ashford University online and have earned spots on the university’s Dean’s List. As a reward for their exceptional academic success, the students were asked to be Ashford’s guests at Suze Orman’s “Women & Money” seminar at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on May 26. 

Included among the Ashford students invited to the “Women & Money” event were Tracy Weathers, Leia Villeza, Harper Wells, Kristen Coleman, Elizabeth Steinke, and Louvina Sheffield. 

The “Women & Money” luncheon gave the students a chance to meet other Ashford online students as well as Ashford University Provost Dr. Elizabeth Tice who joined the students at their table. The event offered a great networking opportunity as the room was filled to capacity with some of the most prominent women in San Diego, including leaders in the areas of government, the media and philanthropy.

Delivering the afternoon’s keynote presentation was Suze Orman, a nationally recognized author and television personality. Orman has gained notoriety for her lectures on financial empowerment and independence. At the “Women & Money” seminar, she gave a powerful presentation about the need for women to take charge of their financial lives. 

Orman’s theme of empowerment for women was especially poignant since the “Women & Money” seminar served as a fundraiser for the Jenna Druck Foundation. Based in San Diego, the Jenna Druck Foundation is an organization devoted to transforming local girls into the leaders of the future through a series of leadership programs. Bridgepoint Education, the parent company of Ashford University, is the official sponsor for all of the Jenna Druck Foundation’s Young Women’s Leadership Programs in 2010.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education’s postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in such disciplines as business, education, psychology,

social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education’s regionally accredited academic

institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as

well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado and are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.

About The Jenna Druck Foundation

The Jenna Druck Foundation was established in 1996 to honor the life and spirit of Jenna Druck. The Jenna Druck Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization offering two unique programs. Young Women’s Leadership Program provides a path for young women to become leaders in their own lives. Families Helping Families provides a lifeline for families who have lost a loved one. For more information about The Jenna Druck Foundation, call 619.294.8000 or visit the Foundation’s web site at jennadruck.org.