Actress and Best-Selling Author Danica McKellar and DeVry University Host National HerWorld® Month to Educate Young Women on STEM Careers

50 HerWorld events across the country empower high school girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., November 01, 2010

Millions of jobs will become available in STEM related fields by 20181, but with U.S. children falling behind in STEM education, the next generation of job candidates will be unprepared and unqualified to take advantage of these career opportunities. In response to a pressing need to educate tomorrow’s workforce, Danica McKellar, well-known for her roles on “The Wonder Years” and “The West Wing” and now also a mathematician and best-selling author, is teaming with DeVry University for National HerWorld month in November to inspire young women across the country to explore careers in STEM related fields.

Now in its 13th year, DeVry University's HerWorld program provides an opportunity for high school girls to explore fast-growing careers of the 21st century in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). National HerWorld month is an initiative hosted by DeVry University educators that will introduce young girls to women who have excelled in their fields.

“Our society still promotes outdated, negative stereotypes that lead girls from a young age to believe that math is too hard and that it’s only for boys. For several years, it’s been my mission to reverse these damaging messages by giving girls the tools they need to improve their math skills and self-esteem, and showing them that intelligence is key to becoming a fabulous young woman someday.” said McKellar. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with DeVry University’s HerWorld program to further this mission. During National HerWorld month, we’ll be introducing high school girls to powerful female role models and opening the door to exciting STEM career opportunities that they may never have imagined possible. We’ll show them: ‘You can do this!’ "

Danica will host a national HerWorld event in New York City on November 19 where 350 high school girls will participate in education and confidence building workshops and work together to build miniature robots. Nearly 7,200 high school girls from hundreds of high schools will participate across the country at nearly 50 local HerWorld events where in addition to seminars and a robotics workshop, they will listen to local female leaders discuss their career journey and gain inspiration towards their future endeavors. DeVry University’s corporate partners including HP, Cisco and Microsoft will also take part to support the program’s powerful message. Every participating HerWorld high school across the country will receive a copy of Danica’s best-selling book, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, for their library.

“There is a pressing need to break down gender barriers in STEM industries, especially given information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that women make up nearly half of the American workforce, but hold only 14 percent of engineering positions and 25 percent of mathematics positions2,” said David J. Pauldine, president of DeVry University. “We are thrilled to be working with Danica in an effort to help young women realize their full potential. National HerWorld Month is part of DeVry University’s commitment to moving STEM education forward and helping young women realize that no career dream is out of reach.”

Across the country, HerWorld high school participants will work in teams as part of a nationwide contest to invent a revolutionary way to use an existing product. The best products from each event will be judged and in April 2011, Danica will teach a math class at the grand prize winning high school.

Contact Us

Hessy Fernandez

Director, Public Relations

Michaela Feldmann

Media Relations Specialist

Alicia McClendon

External Media & Content Specialist

About DeVry University 

DeVry University strives to close society’s opportunity gap by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change. Founded in 1931, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online within six areas of study: Accounting, Business, Healthcare, Technology, Liberal Arts, and Media Arts & Technology. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC, www.hlcommission.org/). The university’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. To learn more, visit devry.edu.

DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. DeVry University, a part of DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), is based in Downers Grove, Ill. For more information about DeVry University, find us on Twitter @DeVryUniv, Facebook /DEVRYUNIVERSITY or visit www.devry.edu.In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York.

HerWorld is a registered trademark of DeVry Educational Development Corporation. ©2010 DeVry Educational Development Corporation. All rights reserved. Any other trademarks used herein are owned by their respective owners.

1 Anthony P. Carneval, Nicole Smith and Jeff Strohl, “Help Wanted. Projection of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2010,” Center on Education and the Workforce, (2010): 52, http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf.

Women in the Labor Force: A Databook. December 2008,” (2008): US Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2008): 29, http://www.bls.gov/cps/wlf-databook-2008.pdf.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6490035&lang=en

DeVry University National HerWorld Event Schedule
Location Event Date
Indianapolis, IN October 8, 2010
Tinley Park, Ill. October 26, 2010
Dallas, TX October 26, 2010
Pomona, Calif. November 3, 2010
Addison, Ill. November 3, 2010
Chicago, Ill. November 4, 2010
Manassas, VA November 4, 2010
Phoenix, Ariz. November 5, 2010
Colton, Calif. November 5, 2010
Detroit, Mich. November 9, 2010
Oklahoma City, Okla. November 9, 2010
Long Beach, Calif. November 10, 2010
Jacksonville, Fla. November 10, 2010
Miramar, Fla. November 10, 2010
San Diego, Calif. November 11, 2010
Charlotte, N.C. November 12, 2010
Raleigh-Durham, N.C. November 12, 2010
Cleveland, OH November 12, 2010
Austin, TX November 12, 2010
Orlando, Fla. November 15, 2010
Anaheim, Calif. November 16, 2010 & November 18, 2010
Seattle, Wash. November 16, 2010
Sherman Oaks, Calif. November 17, 2010
Alhambra, Calif. November 18, 2010
Decatur, Ga. November 18, 2010
Kansas City, Mo. November 18, 2010
San Antonio, TX November 18, 2010
Norfolk, Va. November 18, 2010
St. Louis Park, Minn. November 19, 2010
St. Louis, Mo. November 19, 2010
North Brunswick, N.J. November 19, 2010
New York, N.Y. November 19, 2010
Columbus, OH November 19, 2010
Philadelphia, Pa. Fort Washington November 19, 2010
Pittsburgh, Pa. November 19, 2010
Washington, D.C. November 19, 2010
Milwaukee, Wis. November 19, 2010
Calgary, Canada November 19, 2010
Fresno, Calif. November 30, 2010
Sacramento, Calif. November 30, 2010
Houston, TX December 1, 2010
Denver, Colo. December 7, 2010
Contact(s)

Emily Bendix
MS&L Worldwide
emily.bendix@mslworldwide.com
312.861.5214
or
Melanie Wright
DeVry University
mwright@devry.edu
215.591.5909