Walden University Scholars of Change Share 40 Ways to Effect Positive Social Change

Minneapolis—September 29, 2010—Walden University announced the winners of its 2010 Scholars of Change video competition. As part of this year’s 40th anniversary celebration, Walden is recognizing 40 Scholars of Change recipients, one for each year Walden has been helping its students and alumni make a difference in the world. These videos demonstrate a learning experience that emphasizes Walden’s scholar-practitioner model, built on the belief that knowledge is most valuable when it is put to use in the interest of the greater good.

This year marks the second round of the video contest, which began in 2009 when Walden invited students and alumni to submit short videos showing how they are applying their Walden education and experiences to bring about positive social change in their local communities and around the globe. The five grand-prize winners each receive $5,000 plus an additional $2,500 to donate to their favorite charities. The honorable mention winners each receive $500.

The 2010 Scholars of Change grand-prize winners and their designated charities are:

• Raymond Kayal Sr., a PhD in Management student from Miami, is using his business experience and education to advocate for his city’s homeless; his charity donation will go to Camillus Health Concern Inc.
• Erin Manzanares, an MS in Education student from Abiquiu, N.M., founded a school in one of the poorest counties in the nation; her award will help further advance the La Puerta School for the Arts, Sciences and Agriculture.
• Keith Smolinski, an EdD student from Woodbridge, Conn., writes original songs to teach students science in accordance with state and national standards; his charity donation will support the American Diabetes Association.
• Melissa Thomas, a PhD in Public Health graduate from Columbus, Ohio, is working to combat health disparities in the Amish and Mennonite communities in the Appalachian region; her charity donation will go to the OhioHealth Research & Innovation Institute.
• Reis Woollen, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student from Los Gatos, Calif., is helping to train healthcare providers and family members to care for the elderly in India; her charity donation will go to the Silver Inning Foundation in Mumbai, India.

About Walden University
For 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network—a global network of more than 50 online and campus-based universities in 21 countries.

Walden offers more than 45 degree programs with more than 195 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include: health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org.