University of Phoenix President Appointed to Federal Advisory Committee on Higher Education Accreditation

University of Phoenix, subsidiary of Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), today announced that President William J. Pepicello, Ph.D. has been appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). In this role, Dr. Pepicello will serve as a member of a diverse committee of higher education leaders tasked with advising the Secretary of Education on matters related to accreditation and to the eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education.

"I am honored to be appointed to this committee and look forward to contributing to the important role of accreditation in ensuring academic quality throughout higher education,” said Dr. Pepicello. "University of Phoenix was founded on academic innovation in response to unmet student needs, providing us with a unique perspective about how a long tradition of peer review can encourage innovative ideas and enhance academic quality in our constantly changing world.”

University of Phoenix, which offers degree programs on-campus and online, has undergone multiple accreditation reviews by numerous and diverse academic teams over its 30-year history. The University is institutionally or programmatically in good standing for select programs with the following accrediting bodies:

• Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (ncahlc.org);
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (acbsp.org);
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, 202-887-6791 (www.aacn.nche.edu);
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (cacrep.org); and
• Teacher Education Accreditation Council (teac.org).

NACIQI was first established by the Higher Education Act of 1965 and later revised under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. In its advisory role, NACIQI provides recommendations to the Secretary of Education on criteria for the: recognition of accrediting agencies or associations; recognition of specific accrediting agencies or associations or state approval agencies; preparation and publication of the list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations; eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education; and for any other advisory functions relating to accreditation and institutional eligibility that the Secretary may prescribe.

About Dr. William J. Pepicello

Dr. Pepicello was appointed President of University of Phoenix in October 2006, formerly serving as Provost, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Dean of the School of Advanced Studies, Dean of the College of General and Professional Studies, and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Additionally, from 2000 to 2002, Dr. Pepicello served as President of University of Sarasota.

Dr. Pepicello holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in Linguistics from Brown University and a bachelor’s degree in Classics from Gannon University. Serving nationally as a consultant-evaluator, Dr. Pepicello sits on the Accreditation Review Council of the HLC.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of the quarter ended February 28, 2010, 458,600 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. 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.